May 15, 2004

OFFICERS ELECTED BY GATES DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE

At the May 4th meeting of the newly revitalized Gates Democratic Committee, Norma Polizzi, an environmental lawyer with Nixon Peabody, was elected Vice Chairperson; John Bonafede, Kodak retiree, Secretary and Frieda Caldarelli, Gates businesswoman, Treasurer.

Tom Janowski, who coordinated county events for the Howard Dean campaign, will head the Research and Issues Committee, assisted by Jim Landers and Jack Risewick. Norma Polizzi will head the Legal Committee.

The Gates Democratic Committee will be inviting Gates residents who serve as Democratic election inspectors to their next meeting, June 1st, to thank them for their help during the election process and to encourage them to join the Committee.

The Committee is also planning a joint meeting for June 3rd with the Chili Democrats to hear from Tom Ferrarese, Democratic Commissioner of Elections, from the Monroe County Board of Elections about the new Help America Vote Act and how this new Federal law will impact voter registration.

In addition the Committee is working to assess their adopted portion of the Erie Canal trail between Lyell Avenue and Buffalo Road and develop a plan for the next eight months to improve canal visibility from the trail.

The Committee will develop its own web site to promote its presence in the town. "Democratic enrollment in the Town of Gates is growing much faster than any other party registration." Commented Susan Swanton, Chairperson of the Gates Democratic Committee. "Now if our Committee can tap into this new potential, we should be in position to offer the community a full slate of well qualified local candidates in 2005 with the organization in place to help them win the election."