Erie County Legislature Majority Leader Thomas Mazur announced his future retirement Friday. Mazur, a Democrat, will step aside from his 7th District seat when his current term expires on December 31. In a statement, Mazur noted a lifetime of public service in various capacities, including his role as a Vietnam veteran. He says he will continue to serve in various volunteer positions in the community, but he also is looking forward to more time with his family, including his one-year-old grandson.
"I love public service. But, I think it’s time to exercise a self-imposed term limit," Mazur said.
"I have had a great run – doing two stints in the Erie County Legislature (1988-1993) and (2006 to the present). I served for eight years as a Councilmember in Cheektowaga. Actually, my whole life has been about service – starting out in the County Clerk’s Office immediately upon being honorably discharged from the United States Army, which included combat duty in Vietnam. Yes, it’s been a long run of service. Now is the time to start writing the last few paragraphs in a chapter that will come to a close on December 31, 2013."
Mazur says he will continue to volunteer at ECMC as a Pastoral Care Minister and will continue to serve on the Board of Directors at Autism Services. And he says he will continue his advocacy on behalf of fellow veterans.