WILLIAMSVILLE – Shawn Lavin officially announced his candidacy for Amherst Town Supervisor on Saturday at VFW Post 416, pledging to lead with transparency, responsible growth, and a commitment to securing Amherst’s place as a world-class community.
Lavin was introduced by Stephen R. Hotz, Founder & CEO of LED Energy Solution, LLC, who praised Lavin’s leadership, dedication to public service, and deep commitment to the Amherst community. “Now it’s his time to lead with courage, compassion, and competence,” Hotz said. “Nobody knows the people and the challenges of the Town of Amherst better than Shawn.”
Lavin, a lifelong Western New Yorker, member of the Air National Guard, and public servant, emphasized his deep ties to Amherst and his dedication to its future. “Amherst has always been more than just a place on the map for me—it’s my home,” Lavin said. “It’s where my wife Kate and I are raising our two young children, where I coach tee-ball, and where I’ve dedicated my life to making our community a better place to live, work, and raise a family.”
Earning the rank of Major, Lavin has served for over 20 years in the Air National Guard, responding to national emergencies and disaster relief efforts, including deployments during the COVID-19 pandemic and catastrophic flooding in North Carolina. He credits his military service for shaping his leadership style and approach to problem-solving.
Lavin, who has served on the Amherst Town Board since 2017, outlined his priorities for the town, focusing on responsible development, infrastructure improvements, and strengthening municipal services. “Our success has brought new challenges: increased traffic, growing infrastructure demands, and development pressures,” he said. “With the right leadership, we can meet these challenges head-on while protecting everything that makes Amherst such a great place to call home.”
Among his key priorities, Lavin pledged to:
- Promote Responsible Development – Ensure that growth respects the character of Amherst’s neighborhoods and puts residents first.
- Strengthen Infrastructure – Invest in road repairs, sewer system upgrades, and other critical public works projects.
- Enhance Government Efficiency – Establish an executive-level innovation officer focused on cutting costs and improving services.
- Protect and Enhance Municipal Services – Maintain Amherst’s high-quality services, including public safety, youth and senior programs, and snow removal.
- Increase Fiscal Transparency – Expand on his Transparency in Budget Process Law, ensuring residents have a stronger voice in how tax dollars are spent.
“This campaign is about all of us. It’s about ensuring that Amherst remains a place where families can thrive, businesses can grow, and our quality of life remains unmatched,” Lavin said. “Let’s work together to build on our successes, tackle our challenges, and secure Amherst’s place as a world-class community—now and for the future.”For more information on Shawn Lavin’s campaign for Amherst Town Supervisor, visit shawnlavin.com.
