Hamburg Town Supervisor Randy Hoak to resign in January

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Hamburg Town Supervisor Randy Hoak announced Tuesday his plans to resign from the position in early January.

Hoak, who was first elected to serve the town in 2021 and took office in January 2022, said he is leaving his role for a “new professional opportunity.”

“It’s been an honor to serve the residents of Hamburg as Town Supervisor. The last three years have been a rewarding and challenging experience,” Hoak said in the release. “I am confident that I am leaving behind more efficient and effective Town departments.”

In an interview with WIVB News 4 Tuesday, Hoak said after speaking with family and friends, he decided he did not want to seek re-election. With his new job, Hoak will continue working in public service, but declined to say what his role will be.

The town said that Hoak negotiated new bargaining agreements with the Civil Service Employees Association and both police and firefighter organizations in the town during his time in office.

He also hired a new finance director after the previous director was charged for misusing the town’s credit card for personal items, along with a new chief of police and superintendent of public works, to name a few.

Hoak said his biggest challenges as supervisor were the long battle over the AL Asphalt plant and rising costs, but was proud of receiving funding for the community, hiring qualified employees and giving residents a voice. He said programs to improve pedestrian safety and the morale of town employees have been top priorities.

“It’s those initiatives I worry could fade away with a new administration,” Hoak said. “My hope is, that whoever ends up in the supervisor’s office, is able to see the value in some of these changes, the efficiencies that it’s brought to our town workforce, that have ultimately benefitted the taxpayer.”

Prior to his position of supervisor, Hoak was Erie County’s commissioner of senior services from 2012 to 2016 and then worked as an associate state director for AARP New York for over four years, according to his LinkedIn. He also served as a special assistant to the commissioner of social services for a year and a half.

“I wish my colleagues on the Town Board and the dedicated employees of the Town of Hamburg the very best as they continue to serve the people of Hamburg,” Hoak said.

The town board needs to appoint an interim supervisor with a majority vote. With only four board members, if one would like to be appointed, they would need unanimous support from their colleagues.

Board member Frank Bogulski said if someone were to ask him to consider the position, he would give it serious thought.

“I do consider myself a civil servant, and servant of the people,” Bogulski told News 4. “And if asked to serve, I would consider it. But what I want to do as a board member is to convene with my colleagues and find out what they feel about it.”

Ultimately, Bogulski said he is looking forward to a fresh start for the board under new leadership.

“We always want to do what’s best for the citizens, because Hamburg has been here a lot longer than people on the board, and Hamburg is going to be here a lot longer [after] we leave the board,” he said.

There will be a special election for a full term for supervisor in November.

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Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.

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