Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak runs for fourth term

Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak, is running for a fourth term for the 143rd district, Nov. 6, to remain the voice of the towns of Cheektowaga, Lancaster, and the villages of Depew, Lancaster, and Sloan. Gabryszak has held his position for six years, and said his goal is to continue to be responsive to residents and businesses in the district.

“Number one is constituent follow up,” he said. “Anyone that calls with a problem be it large or small, we have a great staff that works on behalf of residents in resolving their problems, so that is one part of it. Another is listening to residents because that’s very important. I really feel that we go great lengths to try and keep our finger on the pulse on what people in the district are feeling. That information that we get reflects on how we vote, so I feel we do a good job of that.”

Gabryszak also follows up with residents via social media, like Twitter, and Facebook. In fact, a Twitter response regarding the possibility of illegal aliens receiving grants to go to college accumulated the largest amount of responses from residents.

“It shows that people are going to our website and that’s what we want,” he said. “We want that interaction.”

Gabryszak cites his biggest achievement to enacting the power proceeds bill, which is a bill that brings money back to the area from NYPA, for unused power.

“What that does is it brings anywhere from 10 to maybe 15 million dollars a year, in terms of money, from the NYPA, not tax payer money, but money that comes back in to that 30 mile radius from the power plant, from unused power put on the grid. So that money comes back to the area, and that money is to be used for economic development purposes. That could be job retention, bringing new companies in. It could be used for infrastructure to open up new areas for development.”

Gabryszak said the difference between himself, and his opponent, Frank DeCarlo, is that what DeCarlo is proposing to do in his campaign, Gabryszak and his staff, have already done.

“I think some of the things that he’s talking about, that he may want to base his campaign on, those are things that we are already doing,” said Gabryszak. “We’ve been doing it for years, representing the interests of businesses. When we think something is unfair, we champion that cause.”

The assemblyman’s main priority is developing change to the economic environment in the area, providing more opportunity for jobs, creating a better business environment, and reducing taxes.

“I think those are probably the biggest issues and concerns, regardless of where you go in the state,” he said.

Gabryszak is a family man; he and his wife recently celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary. They also have two children, Brian 32, and Jennifer, 29. In his spare time, Gabryszak likes to participate in fantasy football, and he has a huge interest in music. He even plays guitar for a group in Albany, called the “Budget Blues Boys.”

“Some of the legislators and I get together with the band, usually once a year. We go out and do a show to benefit charities,” said Gabryszak.

Although he emphasized that being an assemblyman does not leave a lot of room for free time. When he and his team set their minds to something, they get it done.

“For example, we had six pieces of legislation that were passed, and the governor signed all six pieces of legislation into law. I’m not afraid to take a stand that differs from my party or leader of our conference, so I think that just reinforces my commitment to the residents of the district, to represent our interests,” he said.

Gabryszak said he loves serving the residents of the 143rd district, and he hopes to continue to do so in a fourth term.