Election 2024: Fittante running for Village of Lewiston board

I proudly announce my candidacy for Village of Lewiston trustee in the upcoming election on Tuesday, June 18.

For those of you who do not know me, I am James Fittante – or to a lot of village residents, I’m known as “Jimmy” Fittante – and I ask for your support in the upcoming village election. I am a lifelong village resident, fortunate to have grown up in this beautiful village. I understand the challenges of our area, but I feel my background, upbringing and love for this community make me the perfect candidate.

I am a licensed architect in New York state and Maine, as well as a business owner of Fittante Architecture PC. This year will be 15 years since I started Fittante Architecture. I understand the constraints and challenges of owning a business in our area. Some of the local accomplishments of my talents include the Frontier House renovations, The Brickyard Pub, the BBC, the Stone House, Lewiston Event Center, Brewed and Bottled, Battle Flag Tavern, Niagara Falls Country Club banquet hall, and many resident homes in the village. These projects have helped shape our village and will help Lewiston prosper now, as well as many years to come.

I am a proud graduate of Lewiston-Porter (Class of 1987). I continued my education locally at Niagara County Community College, graduating in 1993. My daughters, Paige and Emily, followed along and are also graduates of Lewiston-Porter. Emily will be graduating from Syracuse University this year, and Paige is obtaining certification in early childhood education. I could not be prouder of the hard work, dedication and kindness of my daughters. I am blessed.

Volunteerism is what makes the Village of Lewiston so charming and inviting. I started helping as a Boy Scout, and though Kiwanis as a kid in the village. I currently sit on the executive board of the Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce, supporting businesses and helping with many village events throughout the year. Recently, I have been deeply involved in the restoration of the Historic Niagara Post Theater at Fort Niagara. I volunteer my time for Habitat for Humanity with many homes throughout Erie and Niagara counties. As an architect, I can donate my time, skills and talent to design and build many village projects on a volunteer level throughout my 30 plus years of experience at a professional level.

I am a current member of the Historic Preservation Commission. The mission of this group is to preserve and enhance Lewiston’s historic heritage. My vision for the Village of Lewiston is to retain its small-town character and the quality of life that is reflected in our quaint little village, helping it grow for the future. I have the knowledge, skills, experience and talent to help support this village in infrastructure improvements, green energy, park and village planning; along with experience working with agencies at both the county and state level on grants and greenway incentives to assist the village in cost-effective budgets and maintain our solid fiscal status.

As an architect involved in many major projects here in the Village of Lewiston, I have attended hundreds of Village Board, Planning Board and Historic Preservation Commission hearings, and I feel this has prepared me to serve the Village of Lewiston residents as a village trustee.

You can always find me walking around the village daily. I look forward to meeting and working for all the residents of the Village of Lewiston. I ask for your support in this election, and I look forward to hearing from you on your concerns of our “slice of Heaven,” the Village of Lewiston.

The village election will be held Tuesday, June 18, from noon to 9 p.m. at the Red Brick. I ask for your support.

Yours sincerely, with great respect,

James “Jimmy” Fittante RA, AIA

President, Fittante Architecture PC