Orleans County NY Candidates for Legislator to Appear on Save Our Nursing Home Ballot Line

OTHER, N.Y. - Aug. 29, 2013 - PRLog -- Four candidates will appear on the “Save Our Nursing Home” independent ballot line this fall in their races for Orleans County Legislator. Gary Kent, Jonathan “Jack” Gillman, Linda Rak and Gregory E. Smith all filed the necessary petitions to secure the line in their respective races.

Former county legislator, and current At-Large Central candidate, Gary Kent has been at the forefront of the drive to stop the sale of The Villages of Orleans to a private, for-profit entity. With the sale not being eligible for a countywide referendum, Kent and a group called Concerned Citizens of Orleans County have effectively provided a voice for those opposed to the sale.

"The process of seeking an independent line allows people of all political affiliations to come together around an issue that unites people.  The "Save Our Nursing Home" issue is clearly one that a broad spectrum of people can agree upon,” Kent noted.

Independent ballot line petitions are unique. Not only do they allow candidates to name their party, any registered voter that has not signed another petition may sign them, including voters who have chosen not to affiliate with a specific party.

In addition to the candidates themselves, around 40 people circulated the petitions throughout the county. The group collected a combined total of 2,290 signatures, Kent secured 977, Gillman secured 873, Smith secured 235 and Rak secured 205.

First time legislator candidate Jack Gillman said, "I am humbled by the people who spent so much time getting signatures for my petition and also the number of people who signed them."

Gillman is running for the At-Large East seat, and, in addition to appearing on the Save Our Nursing Home ballot line, will appear on the Democratic line with Gary Kent. Rak and Smith will appear on the Conservative and Save Our Nursing Home lines.

Gillman, Rak and Smith are running for county legislator for the first time.

Rak , an educator, noted that the process  of passing petitions has been an excellent learning experience for her and the registered voters she came in contact with.

“The majority of residents I spoke with were either in favor of keeping the County nursing home public, or wanted to learn more about the issue.  So many people realize what a gem the County nursing home is as a result of personal experiences with a parent or grandparent," Rak said.

Linda Rak is running for the District 2 seat which covers the towns of Yates and Ridgeway and a small portion of Shelby. Gregory Smith is running for the District 1 seat that covers the towns of Barre and Clarendon and most of the town of Shelby. Kent and Gillman are running countywide.

Election Day is Tuesday November 5.