Town of Niagara honors local volunteers

By David Yarger

Tribune Editor

Tuesday night, the Town of Niagara Town Board honored several local leaders and volunteers for accomplishments in the town during 2018.

Town of Niagara Supervisor Lee Wallace began the award presentations at last year’s final Town Board meeting, and said it’s important to recognize those who go the extra mile for the town.

“This town has a number of amazing businesses, people, groups, organizations that do a lot of good that goes unnoticed. So, last year, I thought it might be a good idea to do end of the year awards where give recognition to people for little things they do that probably majority of the people wouldn’t even know,” Wallace said.

First, the town presented Helping Hands awards to several volunteers around the town.

The first was awarded to Patrick Barney of the Fire Department Service Awards Program.

Following Barney was several “Music Mania Mondays” volunteers Ron LaChat and Chief Bryan Barish, Capt. Robert Shepard and Lt. Arthur Fijakowski of the Town of Niagara Auxiliary Police.

Next was Joe and Pat Pullano for their assistance with delivering food for Meals on Wheels.

Last was Johnny Parks for his efforts and upkeep on the John Street Community Watch Group.

The awards ceremony rounded out with Extra Mile honors handed to Town of Niagara Police Department Capt. Craig Guiliani and Lt. Jeff Spears for their efforts in Town of Niagara PD Gives Back. The duo spearheads an initiative where the town’s patrol gives out Wegmans gift cards for minor traffic infractions, instead of tickets. The effort is a way for the town to give back, as well as spread cheer during the holiday season.

Wallace finished by thanking everyone for their efforts and all they do for the Town of Niagara.