Citizens for Change is a new political party formed by concerned residents who want to serve the community. Candidates come from diverse backgrounds, with diverse life experiences, but agree in the governing principals of the four "C's" and in public service. Meet our candidates below.
Kevin J. Peterson
Candidate for Mayor
As the last few weeks of my term as Mayor of the Village of Depew come to a close, I find that it is time to reflect on the past 47 months.
Some of the accomplishments we have had as a Village include the following:
• Upgrading of almost 1,475 Village and neighborhood streetlights to LEDs• Making the stretch of George Urban Blvd. in front of the Cantalician Center a School Zone
• Obtained a grant to complete the George Urban Blvd. Safety Project which included installing solar speed detection signs and Blinker-Beacons to add additional safety to the stretch of GUB in front of the Cantalician Center AND install the “1st in WNY” Solar Powered Low-Bridge Warning system to help with the constant attempts of tractor-trailer truck traffic striking the CSX railroad bridge near St. Martha’s Church.
• Working with the NYS DEC to remediate a concern that they had with seepage at the old Depew Reclamation Dump on Broadway. The cost of this project would have been a $310K burden on Village taxpayers, but instead, we sold off 15 acres of the property to National Energy Development of Depew who is installing a solar farm on the property. They have also recently leased an additional 13 acres of the old dump and have prepped the property to the DEC specifications. This saved Village taxpayers the cost of hauling in 1,000s of truckloads of soil to restore a 2' cap to the property along with the remediation at the Cayuga Creek shoreline.
• We have been working to improve the Village Park system so that residents and the young families that have been moving into the Village recently will have quality facilities to take their children. The West Dawson neighborhood playground was leveled and upgraded with a new All-Inclusive Playground that also included a safety surface throughout the park. Fireman’s Park will see a new Pavilion and Bathroom facility built this year as the key piece of a $2.4 million dollar makeover. Included in the makeover will be the resurfacing of the basketball and tennis courts. The addition of pickleball courts, another shelter, solar park lighting, pathways connecting the amenities in the park, benches, trees, additional All-Inclusive swings along with safety surfaces under the existing apparatus. The park will also include new solar LED light fixtures similar to the new LED streetlights recently installed on Erie Street. We also hope to include a bike path around the perimeter of the park. Last year saw a new state of the art Outdoor Fitness Court built for those 14years of age and older with a generous donation from Mr. Russell J. Salvatore and a $50K grant from MVP Healthcare. There was also another volleyball court and softball diamond constructed.
• Veteran’s Park continues to be a real jewel for the Village where you can go to relax or enjoy the ever popular Depew Summer Concert Series. I am so proud to see how this community event has blossomed during my term as Mayor. Also we have held the Depew Founder’s Day Celebration in 2019and 2022 and this two-day event will be back again this year on July 21st and22nd.
• With the hiring of the O’Connell & Associates grant writing team, along with our Municipal Solutions team the Village has received in excess of $8 million in grants along with additional funding from Assemblymember Monica Wallace and Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro.
I would like to ask for your vote on Tuesday March 21st, tore-elect me as your Mayor for another four year term
Hello, my name is Andrew Adolf and I will be running for one of the spots of Trustee for the Village of Depew, NY under the Citizens for Change Depew, NY Party in the election to take place on March 21st, 2023.
I am someone born and raised in the Depew and Lancaster area and know, firsthand, how special a place this region can be.
When I purchased a house in Depew in 2019, I knew getting involved and making a difference was something I wanted to do. They often say you get out what you put in and for me I want to see where I live flourish.
I live in the University district of Depew and can be seen walking my dog, an Irish Doodle named Jameson, around that area daily.
Over the last year I have served as one of the Trustees on the Village Board. During that time, I have taken on many projects. One of which is Chairman of the Tree Board for the Village of Depew. This allowed me to help create a Community Forestry Plan for the Village which has been approved as the official plan for the Village.
I am employed as a Loan Surveillance Manager at a company called Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. for over seven years. There I have learned many skills that I have added to my toolbox that I can use to best help the Village of Depew. Items that I will be able to use to better assist the Village of Depew include, but are not limited to, financial analysis, legal document review and compliance, identifying risk and adhering to strict deadlines.
I will use these skills that I have developed to make the most of my time and help create the community that the people of Depew want to see. These skills will help me make the best choices that represent the people of Depew and their interests first.
Educationally I have graduated from the Youth Leadership of Buffalo program in 2008, St. Mary’s High in Lancaster, NY and Niagara University.
Additional experiences I bring to the position are my time on the Parish Council since 2017, for which I currently sit as President for Sacred Heart of Bowmansville Church. This position is an advisory one that allows me to help provide information and input towards realizing the mission statement of the organization. I also am an advisor for The Beloved Disciples of Christ the Lord Roman Catholic Family of Parishes.
In 2020 I also became a member of the Planning Board for the Village of Depew. This allowed me to be able to get a good feeling for how things are done which will allow me to better accomplish things in the position of Trustee. I have already been able to affect positive change through things such as the approval of important projects such as a future Solar Farm on an old landfill in Depew.
I am proud and honored to run under the Citizens for Change ticket to continue to build upon and further the legacy that is being established in our own backyard. I am ready and have the energy to create and execute plans to make Depew become the best it can be. I look forward to affecting positive change in the community that I and so many around me love.
Andrew Adolf
Candidate for Trustee
Janelle Kraft
Candidate for Trustee
My name is Janelle Kraft, and I’m running for the position of Trustee for the Village of Depew.
My husband, Brian, and I share our home in the Village of Depew with our two children, Tyler (9) and Emmarie (6), and our dog and cat. I previously worked as an Occupational Therapy assistant for the McGuire Group for almost 8 years following graduation from Erie Community College. I was fortunate to become a stay-at-home parent in 2018 when our youngest had just turned one. Then during the coronavirus pandemic, my husband and I decided to keep our children home for that school year and I homeschooled our, at the time, first grader and preschooler.
Due to these life circumstances and careers, I’ve grown to have a good grasp on time management, a hard work ethic, organizational skills, and the ability to adapt to changes.
I have a great appreciation for our local amenities, such as Fireman’s Park and all the new and exciting changes taking place there, as well as the utilization of Veteran’s Park for the summer festivities. We are also lucky to be graced by some really amazing local businesses for dining and shopping that further establish our neighborhood as a place people want to live, not just a place they want to drive through on their way to somewhere else.
As a parent of young children, I believe I have a unique perspective on ways to encourage growth and promote our community, compared to other members of the board. For this reason, I know I would be a valuable addition.
I do feel that the most impactful changes to our community happen at the local government level, which is why I’d be honored to join the Village Board and work with its members to make where we live a place to be proud of and enjoy.