SHERBURNE – On Election Day next Tuesday, Sherburne voters will find two candidates vying to fill a vacancy on the town council: Republican David L. Wern and Independence Party candidate Wm. Charles Schlernitzauer.

The vacancy was created when Republican councilman Charles Mastro was appointed town supervisor last year to complete William C. Craine’s term when Craine was elected county treasurer. Mastro, who is 52, also appears on the ballot Nov. 8, running unopposed for his first full, two-year term in office.

Wern, 76, was a legislator for Cortland County for 12 years where he was chairman of the Public Safety Committee. He currently serves on the Sherburne Planning Board. He is also a member of the Sherburne Methodist Church Board of Trustees and the Pratt Newton Home Board of Directors. Previously, he was a high school teacher, coach and educational book salesman.

In addition to his legislative and business experience, Wern volunteers for several community service organizations, including the Sherburne Lions, the American Legion, the Chenango County Agency on Aging’s 60 Plus and God’s Bread.

If elected, the candidate said he would call on his public safety leadership experience and work closely with law enforcement. He said he would also continue the Planning Board’s progress on developing a road use agreement. He said he “suspects” that drilling will occur in the region eventually, and along with it, heavy truck traffic.