Town supervisor will not seek re-election in November
The Daily Mail
Mar. 3, 2009

ATHENS — After many years running the Town of Athens, serving as councilman and later its supervisor, Al Salvino has decided not to run for re-election, he said before the Town’s board meeting Monday night.

He said the time had come for him to walk away from Athens government, although he has not publicly announced his intention. His current term ends later this year.

Salvino’s history with the board dates back to 1992, when he was first elected as a councilman.

He served in that capacity until he was elected as supervisor in 1996 and has served three terms in that capacity.

Salvino said his accomplishments on the board were “too many to list.”

Councilman Gene Hatton, who is Salvino’s neighbor, said he learned a lot from working with Salvino during the controversies surrounding the Wormuth Brothers Foundry on Howard Hall Road.

“He was pretty inspirational to me,” Hatton said.

Hatton said that although he and Salvino did not always agree, he always respected the supervisor’s positions.

He said Salvino has always worked hard in his professional and personal life and has never shied away from anything.

Both Hatton and Councilman Jack Lubera referred to Salvino as a mentor.

“Albie was a lot of fun,” Lubera said of his two-time election adversary.

Lubera and Salvino faced each other in two races for supervisor, both of which Salvino narrowly won.

Lubera, whose term also expires this year, did not say whether he would run for reelection or for supervisor.

“I have not made up my mind,” he said.

Salvino said he plans on spending his time making miniature furniture in his woodworking shop after he steps down. His granddaughters, he said, have a number of little pieces he has created over the years.

“I’ve got to keep my hand in something,” he said.

Salvino played down his skills as a woodworker, however Town Clerk Linda Stacey said the pieces were always very nice.

“He’s a perfectionist,” she said.