WNYLaborToday.com Editor's Note: International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 4 Business Development Specialist Wesley Schlossin has won a seat on the Suburban Buffalo Cheektowaga-Sloan School Board.  On his Facebook Page, Schlossin posted the following statement: "I am so humbled to announce I received a call from the Cheektowaga-Sloan Clerk and was informed that... WE WON!!!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone that helped with my campaign.  From lawn signs to phone calls, every bit helped!  I am looking forward to this challenge.  Thanks to everyone who voted yes as our budget passed!"

(CHEEKTOWAGA, NEW YORK) – Asked why he decided to run for a seat in Tuesday’s (June 9th) election for the Cheektowaga-Sloan School Board, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 4 Business Development Specialist Wesley Schlossin told WNYLaborToday.com: “Because I have ‘tons of skin’ in the game.”

The skin Schlossin is referring to is his three children who attend public schools in this Suburban Buffalo community, as well as a fourth who will be attending next year.

Combine that with the fact he’s religiously attended School Board meetings for the past two years and watched what he described to Your On-Line Labor Newspaper as current Board Members failing to do the job.

“I ‘don’t need’ a hobby,” Schlossin said.  “This is ‘not about me, there is a great deal of responsibility here and I’m here for all the right reasons.’  ‘I want to make it work for the kids.’”

According to his campaign flier, Schlossin - who’s been a home-owner in the district since 2008, plans to organize parents, Teachers and local residents “to get the New York State funding it deserves in a district with high poverty rates and very high costs for supplemental services.”

In addition, the 41-year-old Union Member plans “to speak truth to power,” adding: “I have made a career of holding public officials accountable by making sure Workers and taxpayers get what they deserve.”

And, Schlossin also pledges to use his background and experience working with IUPAT District Council 4, which is a Member Union of the Buffalo Building and Construction Trades Council, “to (help) create a pathway for (interested) high school seniors to go directly into Unionized Apprenticeship Training Programs right after graduation.”

“There are ‘many opportunities’ for young people in the Trades and ‘I will be happy to help build a pathway for them,’” he said.

Schlossin, who also serves as President of Painters Local 43, has background in negotiating contracts, serving as a Trustee on Union Boards, community organizing, working on public contracts and building positive relationships to get the job done, to name just a few.

“I’ve ‘always wanted to be involved and it has led me into this direction,’” he told WNYLaborToday.com.  “I have a lot of friends ‘who’ve helped me’ with (his campaign) ‘and it is humbling to know that if not for them, I would not be here.’”

Schlossin has also received the support and blessing from his Union as IUPAT District Council 4 Business Manager Mike Hogan “couldn’t be more supportive,” he said.

Said Hogan of Schlossin's decision to run: "I am 'extremely proud' of him and 'completely supportive' (of his campaign).  I've known Wes since the early (2000s).  He has 'always been' a family man.  He 'really cares about the school system and I can think of no one better to represent that community.'  You know, a lot of people 'do not have the desire, nor the drive, to put yourself out there.'  'He is and has put everything on the line.'"

Schlossin got off to a late start with his campaign, announcing his candidacy on May 8th, but it has picked up steam since then.

More than 1,700 campaign fliers have been sent out in recent weeks and more than 80 signs have sprouted up on the lawns of those who support his run.

The Union Painter also built and erected a four-foot- by -eight-foot campaign sign that he put up in his backyard in order to further attract the attention of Cheektowaga-Sloan voters.

It carries a simple message, thanking Cheektowaga-Sloan residents for their support with the hashtag #WEAREINTHIS TOGETHER.

Schlossin’s children and kids from the neighborhood pressed their handprints in a variety of colors on the sign.

Reportedly, about 1,000 residents cast their vote in the School Board Election two years ago.

Schlossin feels good about the outcome, as he says he already has committed votes from more than 200 residents: “I have a ‘good core group’ of friends ‘who support me and I hope to take that momentum’” right into Tuesday’s election.