GUILFORD – The Guilford political has heated up this year, as two candidates vie for the town’s top position and five are competing for two open council seats.

George J. Seneck, a Republican, hopes to fill the late Alton B. Doyle’s position. He is being opposed, however, by another Republican candidate for supervisor, Dennis E. Martin, who is running on an independent line called, “Justice.”

“Al was instrumental in my decision to run for Supervisor,” said Seneck, who plans to retire from the Gilbertsville-Mount Upton school district where he has taught for the last 32 years. He cites both Doyle and former Supervisor Pershing Schalffer for inspiring him through their demonstrated commitment to the community.

After 18 years on the town council, as well as an additional ten years as a town justice, Seneck believes he is qualified to take on the supervisor role.

“I bring ... experience with the budget process, training in contract negotiations (and) involvement with the Mount Upton Park Committee,” he said, as well as “first hand knowledge” of decisions affecting the municipality made during his tenure.