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Rich Fischer To Run For Lakewood Trustee

Richard “Rich” Fischer is running for trustee of the village of Lakewood.

Fischer said he feels that this is the right time for him to become involved with Lakewood government and is interested in representing the citizens of Lakewood on its board.

Fischer was raised in Lakewood on Marvin Avenue and graduated from Southwestern Central School. He furthered his education at Bryant & Stratton in sales, advertising and management. Fischer later returned to Lakewood after retiring from a 40-year career in accounting and sales with Jamestown Telephone Company/Alltel. He also served in the United States Air Force Reserves. He lives at 43 W. Fairmount Ave., with his wife Nancy. They are the parents of son, Ryan Fischer, and wife, Alexandra Wellman, and grandchildren, Eloise and Quinlan, and daughter, Jane Fischer, and husband, Tom Carpenter.

In his spare time, Fischer enjoys lawn care and his many special interests throughout the Lakewood area. He also enjoys his time at the Chautauqua County Visitors Center. He also worked at the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce and the Robert H. Jackson Center.

Fischer said the reason he is running for the position of trustee for Lakewood is that it is vital for the community to remain progressive, yet continue on an economical path that benefits all village residents. He said leadership is expressed in many ways and his extensive research and fact finding is just one example of that and it will be put to good use on the Lakewood Village Board. Research is what good decision making represents.

“I am a good listener, observe the situation, complete my research and then make an informed decision,” Fischer said.

With the recent flooding occurring within the village limits, Fischer said it is needed for the village to spend tax dollars on the cause of the flooding rather than on projects that provide prettiness on one main street and does relatively nothing for the flooding problems or lake issues. Brook Street, Crescent Creek and the Fairmount Avenue retention areas near the viaduct should be the village’s top priorities, Fischer said.

Fischer states that the cell tower should be built in the area of the firemen’s grounds and give the additional coverage needed and gain assessment value and additional revenue.

“The cell tower litigation again the village of Lakewood is ludicrous and needs to be settled and solved once and for all,” Fischer said. “This has gone on for four years only costing the village of Lakewood thousands and thousands of taxpayers’ dollars.”

Fischer further said simpler projects such as furthering sidewalks in Lakewood would be a great initiative. He said residents ask him why there aren’t sidewalks along the whole length of Summit and Terrace avenues. Walkability in the community is important, Fischer said, and should be dealt with by the continuation of sidewalks along those streets or possibly by widening the road surface so a portion could be used by walkers.

Lastly, Fischer said the Village Board must support, fund and maintain the Lakewood highway department, fire department, police department, as well as the clerk and treasurer staff.

“These departments are the heart and soul of the village and must be preserved for the safety and future of the village,” Fischer said.

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