COLUMBUS – Tom Grace, longtime reporter for The Daily Star, is retiring Friday, Aug. 19 to run for Columbus town supervisor.

Grace, 62, is an independent voter who lives on South Brookfield Road, Columbus, with his wife, Lori, and their two children.

A fiscal conservative who has covered local government for more than 20 years, Grace is running to restore continuity to a town government that has had two supervisors and one acting supervisor in the last two years.

“When our supervisor resigned abruptly last year, two weeks into the current term, he left turmoil in his wake,” Grace said.

The Town of Columbus had no representation on the Chenango County Board of Supervisors for most of 2010. “And in 2011, the town board has been unable to work cohesively, even turning to town attorney, John Cameron, to resolve an internal dispute over financial authority,” Grace said.

“If I am elected, I will serve out my term to the best of my ability,” Grace said. “I think well-meaning people can disagree and continue to serve the people who elect them.”

Home to thriving businesses like Golden Artist Colors, Agro Farma and the Unadilla Valley Sports Center, Grace said Columbus has economic advantages, but needs leadership to make sure the town as a whole shares in prosperity.

Assuring timely ambulance service by securing a Certificate of Need from the state is a top priority, he said.