Farewell and good luck message from 2020-2022 Town Board of Trustees
LYONS BOARD of TRUSTEES, and MAYOR 2020-22
Dear Lyons, I would like to take a brief moment of time to thank you for affording me the privilege of serving on the Board of Trustees of the great town of Lyons. While it’s great to serve on boards, clubs and commissions that focus on singular or similar issues with friends, it’s something totally different to be elected with six completely different minded people and strive to repair, maintain and grow a town with hundreds of facets of daily operation that must work cohesively. With a great staff and colleagues, I feel I was able to achieve most of what we set out to do for the Town of Lyons.
Four of my main goals that were achieved during my tenure: 1) Assisted with the rebuilding of our flood damaged properties, both public and private. 2) Brought affordable housing projects to Lyons to help replace what was lost. 3) Acquired additional property for Lyons to expand and grow its economy in our new eastern corridor with town utilities. 4) Set aside hundreds of thousands of dollars for future FEMA “clawback” and capital improvement projects (CIP) on our roads, sidewalks and other critical infrastructure needs.
In many open and private discussions over the past six years I stated that my position and decision making thought process was coming from one of “how will this help and keep the Town of Lyons solvent and in the best position possible five, ten and twenties years from now?” My decision to run for the Board of Trustees in 2016 was based on the old school writings that it is our duty to serve in this capacity, without glory or fan fair, or even pay in the really old days. I hope that these goals were achieved and will continue for the good of Lyons as there will always be a need greater than oneself!
Again, thank you for allowing me to serve.
Michael Karavas, Trustee (until April 18th . . . about 9:00 pm)
When this Board took office in the midst of the COVID pandemic, I half-jokingly made the observation that we would be the only Board in Lyons’ history to never meet in person. Two years later, it has been so. I never knew what ZOOM was but now it’s old hat; every meeting, every hearing has been remote. And while it’s nice to sit in the comfort of your home for the long meetings, something gets lost without meeting face to face.
That being said, I am proud of the work we got accomplished these past two years despite the challenges of this pandemic-that-never-ends and am grateful for serving with some of the brightest, most committed people in town. Part of me wishes the terms were longer, but another, overriding sentiment says it’s time to move on and let others participate in this most personal from of government.
I wish the incoming Board luck and urge the rest of my fellow residents to sign up for the election two years from now. I can assure you that you won’t regret it.
……Greg
I appreciate the opportunity to have served the Town for the last 3 terms and I am proud of all we have accomplished in this time frame.
As you know, government is a slow, tedious process, but we have been able to fulfill the goals of rebuilding post flood, with the final project I wanted to see done, which is the 4th Ave pedestrian bridge- being built now with the “Safe Routes to School” grant funding. The other project that was my largest goal just broke ground- Affordable Housing.
Although a lot more work needs to be done regarding a parking and recreation plan, we have some nice developments in the works! It was a privilege to serve.
…………..Cheers! – Wendy Miller
Trustee Kenyon Waugh observed that “This was a unique board since we never met together in one place during our entire term in office. The last time we were all together in one room was the candidate forum.”
Kenyon wanted to say to the new Board: “I wish the new board the best of luck and look forward to the town moving forward under their leadership.”
The remainder of the Board declined to make a statement or address the new Board. If Mayor Nick Angelo, Mayor Pro-Tem Mark Browning, or Trustee Kenyon Waugh send in further comments, they will be added to this page, when received. (They were given three opportunities to respond over this past month of March)
Hollie Rogin is leaving the position as Trustee and will be the new Mayor 2022-24. She is making a combined statement, which will appear on the separate article introducing the new Board of Trustees.
Candidates attending the March 9, 2020 Forum – running for BOT Office: Kenyon Waugh (left), Jocelyn Farrell (for mayor), Hollie Rogin, Nicholas Angelo (for mayor), Mark Browning, Greg Lowell, Michael Karavas and Robert Brakenridge. Not pictured is absent Wendy Miller, out sick. (Photo by Kathleen Spring)
