×

Thought counts, but family has decided

The Village Board meeting that was reported in the OBSERVER (June 20) both surprised and disappointed us. It was stated that the Darren Manzella-Lapeira Memorial Run was unanimously approved by the board if approved by us.

This was clearly done without any conversation with us and should never have been discussed and voted on in an open public meeting.

Why didn’t anyone ask if anyone has spoken to Nancy and Mike prior to the meeting?

It was announced last fall that we would no longer hold the event because we feel we had accomplished what Darren would have wanted, this being in the past six years, the Darren Manzella-Lapeira Memorial Run donated $86,000 to the established funds: The Darren Manzella -Lapeira Veterans Assistance Fund administered by The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, The Veterans Endowment Fund administered by the Veterans Agency and the Staff Sergeant Darren Manzella-Lapeira Scholarship Fund administered at Brocton Central School by the American Legion Post 434. These established funds for the veterans will continue to support the veterans as they were set up to compound the sum each year, giving out money from the interest and not the principle.

All the planning and the event itself was done with a great deal of commitment and passion by many wonderful volunteers and sponsors.

The Run has been a tribute from us and our family to Darren and we would never just turn it over to someone else. The integrity of the event and Darren’s name along with everyone involved in the Run was and is most important to us which is why we (the family) chose to conduct the event ourselves.

We always appreciated and will continue to appreciate the support from the Village along with many others during the Darren Manzella-Lapeira Memorial Run.

Mike and Nancy Manzella are residents of Brocton.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today