Shawn Lavin is the insider candidate for Amherst town supervisor who touts the importance of public service.

He is the current deputy town supervisor, a Democrat in blue Amherst who holds a senior appointed position in Erie County government and is a New York Air National Guard officer.

His Republican opponent, Dan Gagliardo, proudly wears his outsider status.

The owner of restaurants and other companies, Gagliardo regularly appears at Town Board meetings to criticize how the town is managed, and recently filed a lawsuit to try to block a major town-county land transfer.

One will replace Brian Kulpa, who is barred from seeking a third term, as town supervisor in Amherst, the most populous town in Western New York. In addition, two other Town Board seats are on the ballot.

There are si

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