Grand Island Town Supervisor Pete Marston is searching for the individual responsible for vandalizing the sign to his business, an incident that occurred sometime Thursday evening. Marston attributes the vandalism to his role as an elected politician, noting that his sign was specifically targeted among the 100 others in the vicinity.
The perpetrator spray-painted the message “Drain the Swamp,” which Marston finds ironic given his political affiliation as a Republican. He spent countless hours cleaning the sign that bears the name of his business, Marston Power Equipment, located on Grand Island Boulevard where he has been the owner for over 20 years. Marston views this act of vandalism as indicative of a larger issue within the community.
He notes that Grand Island residents are increasingly agitated with politics, citing extremism on both sides as a key factor. Despite prioritizing the needs of Grand Island, Marston realizes some may disagree with his approach. In response to the incident, he is offering a reward of $1,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the culprit, with the Grand Island Police and Erie County Sheriff’s Office conducting investigations.
Marston expresses concern over the vandal’s willingness to target the town supervisor’s business, raising fears about potential actions against others. He deems such behavior unacceptable and emphasizes the need for accountability. Sarah Minkewicz, an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native, has been part of the News 4 team since 2019. For more of her work, including updates on this story, follow her on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz.