“I didn’t realize that was what Buddy meant when he said he was holding the line on taxes.” So went the punch line of the joke I overheard this past week after the arrest on tax-related charges of Sweden Town Supervisor Nat “Buddy” Lester, III had been reported by local media.
While I don’t count Mr. Lester as a personal friend, I did have dealings with the now former supervisor every once in a while in my capacity as an elected official. Although we were on opposite sides of the table, he representing the town and I representing the village, he always was cordial.
This is not an apologia for Lester. Indeed, if what’s been reported is factual, then things don’t seem to look very bright for him at the moment. Beyond that, in my estimation, his fate is the business of the court.
Still, in the wake of his arrest, and the cynical musings about it, I am hoping for the best, even if expecting less out of the situation. Certainly, though, the fall from grace of one of our area's most popular political figures will bring change, some say for the better, others, the worse.
Speaking with friends and family members that reside across western New York, but not in western Monroe County, I realized that to the rest of creation, the Village of Brockport and the Township Sweden are one in the same, interchangeable. I found myself clarifying repeatedly during the past few days that Lester was not part of the governing body on which I serve.
But that reminded me that while the two municipalities are separate, their paths are joined. Judging by the blank looks that my distinguishing Sweden from Brockport elicited over the weekend, outsiders seem to intuit their connectedness even if people like myself see it otherwise from time to time.
Fact is, like it or not, Lester’s influence here was substantial. Voters trusted him. In his absence, now what?
Well, for starters, I wish the remaining members of the Sweden Town Board the best of luck as they carry on without Buddy. Beyond that, though, all we can do is wait and see.
