Tom Felton

If elected, he will not serve.

Byron Town Supervisor Tom Felton announced at a recent Town Board meeting that even though he's a candidate for another two-year term as supervisor, he's decided he's done with town politics.

"Over the last few weeks, there have been a series of events that have discouraged me greatly with this position," Felton said in a statement he wanted read into the record of the meeting minutes.  "In order to combat the negativity of a handful of individuals in the Town, I will need to spend considerably more time defending the half truths and misinformation that this group has the time to spread in the community."

Fellow board member John Ivison said that he didn't want to speak for Felton -- who was not available for comment this morning -- but among the issues that have come up recently is some people in town are saying there's a move afoot to consolidate with Byron and Elba.

Ivison said two board members from each of the towns have met three times in 2008 to share information about how the towns operate. Topics have included how to deal with snow plows, infrastructure, planning and budgeting.

The meetings, he said, were purely information sharing and not designed to start a discussion about consolidation.

"It's been blown out of proportion by a few people," Ivison said.

The big issue, as Ivison sees it, is that this kind of small-town politics is what keeps talented and capable people from serving on town boards.

Felton, a bank vice president, was picked to fill a vacancy on the town board three years ago. Then, when the Supervisor position became vacant mid-term, he was appointed to that position.

In his statement, Felton said he wasn't an eager candidate for another two-year term from the beginning.

"Earlier this year, I met with the Republican committee and hesitantly agreed to fill another two-year term, if and only if they could not find anyone else qualified for the position," Felton said. "After our meeting, I was endorsed by this group. Since that time another individual has expressed his interest in the position, and as you know, both he and I will be on the ballot in November. "

If Felton wins the race, he said, the board will have to appoint a replacement. He will not serve as supervisor in 2010, he said. Rather than deal with the politics of the position, Felton said he would rather spend more time with his family and on his career.

Full statement after the jump:

I would like to enter these comments for the record.

My priorities are and will remain to be family first, profession second, and community third. Three years ago, I was elected to fill a vacancy on the Town Board, after a year and 9 months I was appointed to fill the vacant position of Town Supervisor. These terms both end 12/31/09. Earlier this year, I met with the Republican committee and hesitantly agreed to fill another two-year term, if and only if they could not find anyone else qualified for the position. After our meeting, I was endorsed by this group. Since that time another individual has expressed his interest in the position, and as you know, both he and I will be on the ballot in November. 

Over the last few weeks, there have been a series of events that have discouraged me greatly with this position, and in order to combat the negativity of a handful of individuals in the Town, I will need to spend considerably more time defending the half truths and misinformation that this group has the time to spread in the community.

In addition to my full-time employment, I have spent 10-20 hours/wk in my capacity as Supervisor (mostly evenings and weekends), and with the assistance of this Board, we were able to make some positive change for the Town. There is a tremendous amount of work that still needs to happen in order to improve this Town. With that said, I wish to inform the public that I will complete my term through 12/31/09 but I will not be your Supervisor in 2010. I plan to spend more time with the two things in my life that bring me great joy and satisfaction — my family and my profession. If the community votes for me, it will be up to the Board to appoint a person to this leadership position, as it is too late to remove my name from the ballot.

I wish you all well and thank you for allowing me to serve you.