Richard Smith is back in the race

Now is the time to come together for change. Rich still stands for the same things; Integrity, morals, ethics and trustworthiness.

If you are not registered to vote, you must do so my October 9th. If you are registered to vote, remember the day, November 3rd, and make your vote count. Richard would like to extend his gratitude to each and everyone of you for welcoming him back into the race. His ambition and drive is stronger than ever to make this election count for the Town of Lee.

Now is the time...Richard is the Candidate!

Below is the article that ran in this evenings newspaper.

By DAVE GYMBURCH Staff writer

TOWN OF LEE — After an interruption of three-plus weeks, Richard Smith’s candidacy for town supervisor is on again.

Smith, the Republican- and Conservative-endorsed candidate, announced today he is back in the race after learning he is not subject after all to an act prohibiting public office candidacies by people whose employer receives federal funding.

The matter was further reviewed by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel in Washington, D.C., Smith said.

Smith had announced July 31 that he was withdrawing from the race because he fell under the Hatch Act. The act places restrictions on political activities of federal employees, and also may apply to employees of private nonprofit organizations depending on statutes under which the organizations receive federal funds. Smith is a case manager for the local Neighborhood Center organization.

Smith explained in a statement that "I didn’t want to be campaigning if I was in violation of the act," and since the office of special counsel "thought I could be," he "pulled out until I received further guidance....I didn’t want there to be any integrity issues." A "special investigation" by an attorney with the Hatch Act Unit concluded that Smith "is not in violation of the Hatch Act’s political activities restriction," he added.

Smith is resuming his challenge of incumbent Lee Supervisor John Urtz, a Democrat who has held the position for 34 years.

Smith’s name "never got pulled off the ballot" for the November election, and "technically, his name is still on the ballot....Nothing has actually changed," county Republican Election Commissioner Pamela N. Mandryck said today.

Removing Smith’s name from the ballot due to the Hatch Act would have required a "formal letter" from the Special Counsel office in Washington, which was never issued, Mandryck explained. Smith’s July 31 withdrawal announcement indicated that he would no longer be "campaigning...actively participating" as a candidate, she said, which "relinquishes him from having the act filed against him" if the Hatch Act’s impact on him had been confirmed.
Mandryck said leaving Smith’s name on the ballot is covered under state election law.

Smith said he is "extremely excited about re-entering the election." Echoing his earlier campaign statements, he said "I strongly believe the Town of Lee needs a change in leadership. I have heard the residents of this community speak, and they are ready for someone to listen to their needs."
A campaign fund raiser is scheduled for Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Colonial Inn restaurant, Turin Road, said Smith.

The Lee supervisor job is for a four-year term, with a salary of $18,500.