The Evans Democratic Club held its December meeting and holiday party at the VFW on Tuesday, December 18.

 

Nominations were made for officer positions and the following slate was elected for 2008:

 

President: Jonica DiMartino

Vice-president: Patricia Latimore

Treasurer: Michelle Parker

Recording Secretary: Kathy Bartus

Corresponding Secretary: Gert Jerozal

Trustees:  Ross Guarino, Mark Parker and Karen Erickson

 

Kathy Bartus was honored for her work during her term on the Town Board.  Fellow Board member Paul Cooper discussed Bartus' distinguished service and her personal contributions to the Town.  Town Chair Bob Catalino described that "Kathy Bartus has made the Democratic Party proud" which was echoed by the applause of the Club members.

The Club endorsed the candidacy of Lisa Bloch Rodwin, Esq., who is seeking appointment to the Family Court Judge seat which will soon be vacanted by Judge James Dillon's move to the Supreme Court bench.  Rodwin is Chief of the Erie County District Attorney's Domestic Violence Bureau and a prosecutor since 1985.  She brought national attention to Erie County with her succesful trial resulting in a 50-year sentence for a marital rape defendant.  

Rodwin was honored in 2007 by the "It Happened To Alexa Foundation" and in 2006 was one of five lawyers selected in Western New York to receive the first Daily Record's Leaders in Law Award.  She was honored as "Lawyer of the Year" by the Women’s Lawyers of Western New York in 2005, for her dedication to assisting families in crisis. In 2004, she was the recipient of the Kupferman Award for Juvenile Justice from the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York.  She has also received service awards from the Coalition Against Family Violence, Hispanics United, NYS Crime Prevention Coalition and Prevention Focus.

Club member Lori Szewczyk was recognized for recent favorable attention she has brought to Evans.  Szewczyk is the Director of Community Development for the Town.  A recent Buffalo News article discussed Szewczyk's idea about working with the

University at Buffalo Regional Institute to assess how Towns like Evans could take better advantage of its resources and make itself into a regional tourism destination.  Szewczyk's efforts have led to the development of the Southtowns Community Enhancement Coalition.

The meeting adjourned so that Club members could enjoy a little holiday fellowship and tasty Christmas goodies.  The next meeting of the Club is Tuesday, January 15 at 7:30 at the VFW on Route 5 near Jubilee.  Do you want to have a say in local Democratic issues?  Then come to a meeting for more information.