ANGOLA - The pledge to the flag was led by school board candidate Kenny West at the April meeting of the Evans Democratic Club. He is running because he wants to see the district improve its graduation rate, reduce class size, and to reduce the size of the management roll.
The club welcomed new member Joe Ianni, a lifelong resident of Evans. He is a 29-year veteran of the Highland Hose Volunteer Fire Company where he serves as secretary and safety officer. He is a past treasurer of the North Evans Fire District.
Candidates for local office addressed the Club. David Shenk, Erie County Comptroller, will be running for the unexpired term vacated by Mark Poloncarz. He is a former Town Clerk for the Town of Boston and his cousin is former Evans Town Clerk Carol Meissner. He received the 2011 Erie County Town Clerk of the Year in recognition of his service. He resigned that position to serve as Erie County Comptroller. He is a Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan veteran who has served on the County Library Board. Upon his return from Afghanistan in 2011, he announced his candidacy for County Comptroller.
Mark Panepinto is a candidate for the redrawn 60th district of the NYS Senate, which includes the Towns of Evans and Brant. Panepinto is an attorney who represents injured workers in personal injury lawsuits. His Southtowns coordinator is Angola native Mike Schraft, who in 2008 presented to the VFW and American Legion two American flags which were carried in missions in Iraq. Panepinto is originally from Tonawanda and a longtime active Democrat in Zone 23 of the City of Buffalo (on the West side.) His father was a construction worker and his mother was a beautician; he was the first in his family to go to college.
Charles Swanick is also a candidate for the new 60th district. Swanick is a former county legislator who recently retired from CSX. He has been going door-to-door for two months to hear from the voters.
Town board member Paul Cooper reported on the town's efforts to rent a larger dredger for Sturgeon Point. The electronic recycling program has been a big success; this is located in the shed behind the Water Department. Once items are dropped off, they become the property of the Town. Folks from Solar Liberty are coming to the Town Hall to assess the use of solar panels on Town buildings. Town Court clerk Maryanne Baake obtained a grant for office furniture for the court area.
There is a public hearing on Wednesday to address a water rate increase. He is committed to finalizing the takeover of the water operations by the Erie County Water Authority.
Town Clerk Jonica DiMartino discussed her department's efforts to manage old records which is a work in progress. There has been an increase in issuance of fishing licenses due to the change of season. The department is also collecting tax bills until the end of June.
Angola mayor Howard M. "Hub" Frawley reported that property taxes remained flat in the Village. He updated the status of the countywide land banking program. The village was successful in getting CSX to repair its bridge in the village.
The villagewide garage sale is June 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The board passed a resolution to move the depot with a $40,000 state recreation grant.
Town chair Robert Catalino reported that there will be a Southtowns Democratic event on June 10 at Sturgeon Point. It will be a picnic from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regional and statewide elected officials will be invited. Local committeemen will be running for their seats.
Club president Michelle Parker reminded everyone about the School Board election on May 15 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m at the Senior High.
The next Club meeting will be held on that same night at 7:30 p.m. at the VFW.
