For the past 10 years, Charles Knapp, Democrat, has served as supervisor for the town of Conquest, and he has filled this position proudly.

“Some people asked me to run,” Knapp said. “I won a pretty heated election and I've served four terms since. I really enjoy the job and working with the people I get to work with and helping the people of Conquest as much as I can.”

During his 10 years, Knapp said that he has seen the town move forward and evolve each year.

“Each and every year we have made progress,” Knapp said. “That has always been one of the main goals to keep moving the town forward.”

Knapp points to things like the town's municipal center and recreation and park facilities and fields that offer baseball, soccer, tennis and

basketball as some of the developments that have taken place in the town.

In the coming term, there are two issues Knapp believes the town supervisor will have to contend with.

Cindy Lamphere, the current town clerk announced that she will not seek the position any longer.

“That is definitely something that will have to be dealt with,” Knapp said. “The town is going to be losing her and she has been here for a long time and that is something we are going to have to figure out.”

Also there has been discussion of consolidation of town and village governments across the state; a dialogue that Knapp believes has to continue before any action is taken.

“Consolidation of government is not necessarily a bad thing,” he said. “Just as long as it is the right thing. How many people know their representatives? But a lot of people know who their town board members or who their town supervisor is, because they are usually neighbors. I just think that this is something that has to be talked about and looked to see what is right for each town.”

After 10 years of service, Knapp stands by his accomplishments.

“I think I've done a good job,” Knapp said. “I've enjoyed the job and the people, and I've worked hard, and if I win I plan to keep doing the same.”

Republican Daniel J. Hempel has served the Conquest community for more than 35 years as a member and officer in the town's volunteer fire department.

From the late 1970s into the early 80s, Hempel also served as the town's first building inspector and was a member of the town planning board for two years, stepping down a year ago.

“I've always been very community oriented,” Hempel said. “I also coached in the local Little League and sponsored a team for a while, and I'm a member of the local Lions Club and we try to do a lot for the community.”

Hempel said he was motivated to throw his hat in the ring for town supervisor when he found out that Knapp was running uncontested.

“I don't have any problems with the current town supervisor,” Hempel said. “I think the current board and supervisor have done a good job. Last election, he said that he believed in term limits. When I found out no one was running I decided to. My question is: How many terms are enough?”

From his years with the volunteer fire company, Hempel has seen the importance and struggle of these volunteers who contribute a vital service to the community and he has also seen a decrease in interest and volunteer support for the Conquest Company.

“These kinds of departments do a lot of their own fundraising,” Hempel said. “There isn't much money in the budget for them and I think that is why we are losing firefighters, people we really need. I think that is a pretty serious problem.”

If elected, finding ways to help support the fire department would be one issue Hempel would like to tackle.

“These guys put a lot of energy into their department,” Hempel said. “I'd like to look at the budget and try to find ways we could help support them a little more.”

While he said that his choice to run was not born of any problems with the current administration or specific problems in town, more than anything, Hempel said he believes that it is his duty to try to help serve his community as best he can.

“I've been a part of this community for a long time,” he said. “I graduated from Port Byron High School and I've lived in Conquest for over 40 years. I'm the type of person who likes to serve and be part of the community and I'd just like to help out as much as I can.”

The candidates: Conquest town supervisor

Name: Daniel Hempel, Republican

Age: 52

Republican

Occupation: Self employed contractor and real estate agent

Political experience: No previous elected offices held

Name: Charles Knapp, Democrat

Age: 49

Occupation: Plant Manager, International Wire

Political experience: 10 years as Conquest Town Supervisor