New Year’s swearing-ins

Lewiston GOP holds upbeat affair at the Barton Hill

by Terry Duffy
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, January 9, 2010

“It’s a great start for Lewiston!” proclaimed Town of Lewiston Republican Committee Chair Rob Nichols, as he welcomed a large contingent of supporters from the town and surrounding area to the Barton Hill Hotel on Friday, Jan. 1, marking a return of a GOP majority in Lewiston town government.

The upbeat affair saw a number of GOP officeholders, some carrying two-party endorsements in last November’s elections, on hand for the traditional swearing-ins before town justices Thomas J. Sheeran and Hugh Gee. They included, in order of appearance: Town Receiver of Taxes Joan Stephens, sworn-in for a sixth term; Town Councilman Alphonso Marra Bax, starting his second term; newly-elected Town Councilman Michael Marra; and 12th District Niagara County Legislator John Ceretto, who is marking his 15th year of public service. The affair culminated with the swearing-in of Steven L. Reiter, a popular figure in town government, who took his oath as new town supervisor.

Individual judge’s remarks, such as Sheeran’s “particularly unique pleasure” in his praise of swearing-in of Bax, a former student of his, for another term on the council, and Gee’s terming as “bittersweet” in describing Marra’s move from that of a village trustee to that of Town Board member, seemed to set the stage for the oath of office for Reiter.

“He needs no introduction,” announced Sheeran as he welcomed Reiter, the long-time highway superintendent, to the front of the crowd to take his oath. “Steve has been a fixture in the community for so many years; it’s hard to remember when he wasn’t involved,” said Sheeran as he introduced Reiter to a long applause by attendees.

“Thank you very much,” Reiter told the faithful.

“I’m a very lucky individual to be standing here right now; I’ve had a very fortunate life so far.

“I’ve lived every kid’s dream,” Reiter continued, telling of growing up in the town, his exemplary military career, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marines and years of service with the town highway department.

“I’m really honored to be here,” Reiter told the crowd.

“I don’t think Lewiston should be Western New York’s best-kept secret; I believe Lewiston should be the best place.

“I intend to work hard … I hope that you’ll help me accomplish that,” Reiter concluded to applause.

The well-attended affair continued for some time afterward with socializing by many on the hotel’s second level. Emotions were upbeat and virtually all expressed optimism for the future at Town Hall.