Mark J. Briglio, who currently serves as deputy supervisor of the Town of Lewiston, has announced his candidacy for town supervisor to succeed Dennis Brochey, who is not seeking reelection (See related story). Brochey named Briglio Deputy Supervisor in April, noting Briglio's business background and steady attendance at town board meetings.
"I've learned a lot from Dennis," Briglio said. "And I share his commitment to fiscal prudence for the Town, responsible planning and transparency so the people we represent know everything we are doing."
Briglio has an extensive business background, including 15 years with TeleTech and Time Warner Cable, where he worked as an operations manager overseeing multimillion dollar domestic and international accounts.
He also worked as assistant store manager of the Tops Friendly Markets International Super Store on Niagara Falls Boulevard, where he supervised over fifty people and managed the high-volume international product inventory. Briglio is also a licensed New York State Real Estate Salesperson affiliated with Coldwell Banker Integrity Realty in Lewiston.
"My experiences in the private sector, with a total of over 30 years of management experience, supervising dozens of managers and negotiating and overseeing contracts with vendors, gives me the skills needed every day in town government, whether it be handling finances, working with citizens and managing the Town’s work force" he said.
Briglio is seeking both the Democratic and Republican Party lines in the fall primaries.
"I am very much a non-partisan candidate," Briglio said. "We have had entirely too much blind partisanship in Lewiston and I've seen firsthand how counterproductive that is. I am running to represent everyone."
While he is still officially a Republican, late last year Briglio filed papers with the Board of Elections to re-affiliate as a Democrat effective in 2016.
"I did that mostly based on national issues," he said. "The Republican Party at that level has drifted far away from the needs of working class people and has become the party of the super-rich."
Briglio says he wants a positive campaign focusing on the Town's needs and future.
"I love Lewiston and I want our community to be a better place for my children and all other families,” he said. “I believe my hands on experience in Town government and my strong business background give me the credentials to be a good Town Supervisor serving the needs of all our people."
Briglio and his wife Marlo are the parents of three daughters, Marissa, Gianna and Nina, who attend Lew-Port and Niagara Catholic schools. The family is involved in activities at Divine Mercy Catholic Parish and programs at Lew-Port and Niagara Catholic High School. Briglio enjoys spending time with his family, volunteer work, community activities and cooking. He won Favorite's pizza making contest with a creation now billed on the menu as "Big Daddy's Spaghetti and Meatball Pizza."
Briglio is currently Vice President of Lewiston Kiwanis and will be President-elect come October. He also is chairing the food tent in this year's Peach Festival!