Next Tuesday June 16, from noon to 9 p.m. at Village Hall, Village of Webster residents will have the opportunity to vote in a Special Election being held for an open Village Trustee position.
Two candidates are running for the position: Mike Morency and Brian McGraw. Morency — who is currently serving as Trustee, having been appointed last July to fill the seat vacated by Jude Lancy — is running under the Republican and Conservative lines. McGraw is running under the Webster Neighbors party.
About a week ago, I invited both candidates to submit a 400-word essay for my blog to introduce themselves. I told them they could write about anything they’d like, but suggested my readers would be especially interested to know 1) how your personal background prepares you to be a trustee, and 2) how you plan to address village problems and improve our village.
Here are the candidates’ unedited responses, in the order in which they were received:
Brian McGraw
Hi Neighbors,
Thank you, Missy, for providing this opportunity. My name is Brian McGraw, and I’m running for Village Trustee.
Before settling in the Village, I grew up in rural Maryland, lived in student housing at college, and spent time in downtown Pittsburgh. Webster is a mix of the areas with its walkable Main Street, apartment communities, and green space. I am running to continuously improve the Village and make sure every neighbor has a voice in the process.
I’ve worked as an engineer for almost twenty years. I solve problems and ensure reliability by asking questions and analyzing numbers. Fixing problems often involves navigating constraints like tight budgets and limited resources. I love the creative challenge of finding solutions, and I want to put those skills to work for the Village.
We’re losing valuable tax dollars, jobs, and community every time folks leave the Village to shop. I plan to keep our business district vibrant with a proactive approach: identifying which businesses our neighbors frequent outside the Village, using grant funding to help property owners prepare spaces, and partnering with the BID and Chamber of Commerce to match entrepreneurs with existing demand.
Beautiful landscapes and walkable streets make the Village special. I walk my dogs every day and often navigate discarded food, trash, and broken glass. I’ve had to care for one after they found a chicken bone hidden in the grass. I’ll work with DPW to use inexpensive nudges to reduce littering. I’ll also push to replant trees lost during our sidewalk expansion, using state forestry grant funding to offset Village costs.
Low turnout at the recent Xerox street dedication and diminishing boundaries hearings suggests Village communication methods aren’t reaching neighbors. I started getting woken up on my days off by a lawn care company slamming its trailer door open and firing up its equipment earlier than I remembered. I double-checked the town code before complaining and saw the residential noise ordinance had been amended in 2022 with zero public comment at the hearing. I would have voiced my concern had I known about it, and I want to make sure villagers have their voices heard at future hearings. I’ll advocate for a supplementary push-based public notification system to reduce the burden on villagers to stay informed about important Village decisions.
Vote June 16 at Village Hall. Polls open noon to 9.
Brian McGraw for Webster Neighbors
Mike Morency
As a Trustee for the Village of Webster, it has been a privilege to represent the residents to help preserve and enhance the quality of life that makes our Village such a great place to call home.
My wife and I have deep roots in the Webster community. We currently reside on Judson Street and have been married for 32 years, raised three children, and are proud grandparents. My wife is a retired teacher from Schroeder HS. We understand the importance of investing in our community and preserving the character and quality of life in our Village.
Throughout my career in law enforcement, I had the opportunity to serve the public and work with people from all walks of life. Those experiences taught me the importance of listening, treating people with respect, and working together to solve problems. These are the skills I continue to rely on as a Trustee.
Since joining the Village Board, I have enjoyed learning more about resident needs, ideas, and priorities. Those conversations help me to better understand what matters most to residents and how I can effectively serve them. The best solutions often come from listening, keeping an open mind, and being willing to work toward a common goal that benefits our residents.
One initiative I have championed is improving our parks, including Schantz and Wilmorite. Our parks are a significant part of what makes our village great. I also support efforts that improve walkability, keeping our village welcoming and connected. One of the things that makes village life so unique is the ability to walk to local businesses, and community events while connecting with friends and neighbors along the way. These opportunities strengthen our sense of community and preserve the character that sets us apart. I also look forward to working with my fellow board members to continue to strengthen Main Street and showcase everything our village has to offer. A vibrant downtown benefits residents, supports local businesses, and helps make our Village a destination for visitors.
Serving on the Village Board has been truly an honor and I appreciate the opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to my family. I hope to continue serving the residents of our village.
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(posted 6/10/2026)
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Tags: Missy Rosenberry, Village of Webster, Webster NY
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