Primary will be held for Willsboro supervisor

By ALVIN REINER
Staff Writer

September 13, 2007 04:00 am

— WILLSBORO -- Supervisor Robert Ashline and challenger Lori L. Torrance will be squaring off in the Willsboro Republican primary.
Ashline spent 10 years on the Willsboro Town Planning Board; one year as director of the Essex County Veterans Office; 15 years with the Willsboro Development Corp., including five as executive director; and has been, for the past five years, Willsboro town supervisor and a member of the Essex County Board of Supervisors.
Torrance has been involved with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau District 6 State Women's Committee and served six years as the Lycoming County Farm Bureau director.
In the past five years as supervisor, Ashline's accomplishments include keeping a pharmacy and grocery store open in Willsboro, helping to create a Willsboro visitors center, installing new sidewalks and helping to provide what he describes as a "better look and feeling" to the community.
Ashline said the new water district and Buena Vista project are future goals.
He said he will continue working with the School District to make the old school building marketable.
Ashline has an associate degree from SUNY Canton and is a U.S. Navy Vietnam War veteran. He has been the owner of Ashline Fruit Co. for 32 years.
Ashline and wife, Karen, have two adult sons.
His community affiliations include Willsboro/Essex Youth Ski Club, 17 years; Willsboro Development Corp., 15 years; Back to School Gala, four years; Kiwanis; Olde Time Craft Fair volunteer; Willsboro Heritage Society; Essex County Heritage Society; and the Willsboro Republican Committee.
As for Torrance, she says, "Communication is key."
She wants logical steps toward a comprehensive town plan for growth.
"I am a determined person and have a can-do attitude. This is my hometown. I am doing this for the people of Willsboro."
Torrance has served as board director of the Muncy Historical Society and has been a member of the Muncy Business & Professional Women's Club. She has also been involved with the Fort Freeland Heritage Society.
Torrance developed a Food Check Out Day project and set up a client list for Purina Mills.
Torrance, who is married to Gerry Spooner, holds an associate degree in dairy science and management from SUNY Cobleskill and an associate degree in medical laboratory technology from Clinton Community College.
She is a bank teller and customer sales representative at Champlain National Bank.