The sun shone once again on the Democratic Club picnic," announced Town Chair Robert "Bob" Catalino, Sr.  "Blue skies, cold drinks, and great local Italian sausage on the grill -- everyone relaxed and had a great time."

The potluck picnic offerings made great summer fare.   There was locally made Lakeside Italian sausage, locally donated Connors hot dogs, and locally donated pizzas.  Potluck offerings includes two types of baked beans, potato salad, green salad, and various dips.  There was also a variety of desserts, including brownies and peanut butter rice krispie treats.

Local officials were there to meet with Evans voters.  This included Democratic County Chair Len Lenihan and County Clerk Kathy Hochul, who announced her commitment to maintain a DMV office in the Town of Evans. 

Also attending were candidates for the open State Assembly seat for the 146th District, which is being vacated by incumbent Jack Quinn.  Mixing with local voters was Daniel Kozub of Hamburg, formerly of Lackawanna, who is endorsed by the Democratic and Conservative parties.  Also there was Brad Rybczynski of Lakeview, who is endorsed by the Working Families party.  

Several candidates for State Supreme Court met with Evans voters to talk about their backgrounds.  This include current Buffalo City Court Judges E. Jeannette Ogden and Betty Calvo-Torres, Lancaster Town Judge Mark Montour, and State court confidential law clerk Catherine Nugent Panepinto.

Ken Case, a candidate for County Court, and Dennis Glascott, Village of Angola Justice, mingled with voters and answered questions about their legal backgrounds.

Cynthia Appleton chatted with Evans voters at the picnic.  She is the endorsed Democratic candidate for the 59th State Senate seat vacated by the retirement of Dale Voelker.  Applteton is a nurse who comes from a Wyoming County family with roots in small business and dairy farming going back a century.  Her platform is to work for reform to make the state legislature work, to make elections fair, and to get taxes and budget under control.  She is a past three-term Warsaw Trustee, Chair of Street/Public Works and Fire Department Committees, and member of Budget Committee.

Financial support included a host donation from the Erie County Democratic Committee.  Picnic sponsors were Dan Kozub, candidate for NYS Assembly 146th District; Fran Pordum, Town of Evans Supervisor; Jonica DiMartino, Town of Evans Clerk; Paul Cooper, Town Board member; and Lynn A. Clarke, Esq. 

Support for the picnic came from the Committee for Nugent Panepinto for Justice; the Committee to Re-elect Justice Eugene Fahey to the State Supreme Court; Friends of Jeannette Ogden for the State Supreme Court; and the Committee to Re-elect Hon. Dennis Glascott to Village of Angola Justice Court.

The team of John and Cindy Latimore and family entertained the kids with games, including the perennial favorite water balloon toss.  The picnic's highlight was Neno's Auction, moderated by auctioneer Anthony "Neno" LaRusso and co-auctioneer Matthew Rzepka.  They were assisted by Club members Dawn Casali, Joan Keohane, and Dawn Csati.  As usual, the auction team managed to entertain while fundraising.

The next Club meeting is Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 7:30 p.m., at the VFW on Route 5, near Lake Street.