Cliff Emery grew up in Buxton and wants to continue serving his hometown as a selectman.

Emery, 52, said others served when he was growing up. “It’s my turn to return the favor,” he said.

A contractor, Emery co-owns the excavation company Emery Brothers. Emery, who has served three terms as selectman, has been chairman of the board five times. He’s continuing a family tradition, as his dad, Louis Emery, has also served as selectman.

Emery said two of his forbears were the first landowners in Buxton and several were selectmen over the years. “Our family has been very involved,” he said.

Emery said the town provides services for the residents without debt. “We don’t owe anybody anything,” Emery said.

He said Buxton’s roads are in good shape; the town has curbside trash pickup; a transfer station; and full time rescue and police departments. “We have what we need to do a good job of providing basic services to the people of our community,” Emery said.

With an eye on the influx of people moving into the town, he said Buxton is being forced by state mandate to change the way it does business. He said he’s not opposed to LD 1, but faults the formula structure as it applies to Buxton.

In the past, Buxton has saved for capital items. But now, he said Buxton can’t spend money that the voters have already approved in town meeting without another special vote because of the tax cap.

Emery doesn’t favor the taxpayer bill of rights (TABOR) proposal. “TABOR won’t allow the town of Buxton to progress,” he said.

He doesn’t see any major issues in Buxton unless voters pass the Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights. “I see a problem if this TABOR thing passes,” Emery said.

Last year, the Buxton townspeople authorized a five-year lease-purchase agreement for a fire truck. Emery said it’s the first item that the town has financed, which allows people who move into town to pay their fair share. “With the influx, we’re looking at the way we make major capital purchases,” Emery said.

He envisions selectmen continuing to be conservative with services remaining constant. Buxton will be a great place to live, Emery said.

Emery and his wife, Cheryl Emery, have four adult children and four grandchildren with another on the way.

A graduate of Bonny Eagle High School in 1971, he played sports. He supported youth, coaching girls’ softball and umpiring little league baseball.

He’s a member of the Buxton-Hollis Historical Society. He recently has been named as a director of the True Choice Federal Credit Union that is coming to Buxton.

Emery grew up on the family farm on Route 22. He recalled that Buxton was an agriculture community in his youth, but has seen the change. “We’re not a rural community anymore,” he said.

He owned and operated dairy farms in Farmington and Georgia before returning home and he wants to stay in town. “I don’t want to live any place else,” he said. “We’re the best kept little secret in York County.”

(cliff emery) – Cliff Emery

Copy the Story Link