With his wife by his side and the praise of colleagues past and future, Ronald R. Winkley took the oath and filled the vacated board seat at Monday’s Town of Lewiston work session.
Winkley’s work in the community and his lifelong dedication to public service were characteristics friends used to describe the town’s newest board member.
“Ron has been a tremendous asset while working as a village trustee,” Lewiston Mayor William Geiben said. “He is well informed on all issues and that expertise will be missed.”
Winkley served as chief of police for more than 25 years before being named a village trustee in 2007. He will fill the board position vacated by longtime councilman Mike Johnson, who left to become the town’s new part-time budget manager.
Councilman Ernest Palmer said he and Winkley went to the police academy 28 years ago and he is excited they are being reunited on the board.
“He has based his entire career on public service, I think he is someone who will represent the entire population of Lewiston,” Palmer said. “His service rises above politics and I look forward to working with him in this capacity.”
Winkley said there are some issues he would like to explore while getting up to speed with what the board is working on.
“I’d really like to explore the power authority further and decipher all the possibilities we have there,” he said. “It’s going to take a little time for me to catch up on what they are working on, but I’m definitely up to the challenge.”
Winkley’s position expires in November and he said he will seek re-election when that time comes.
Supervisor Steven L. Reiter said they interviewed a number of candidates but Winkley stood out and brought a new element to the table.
“Now we have two guys who worked with the village and it really helps bring a new perspective,” Reiter said. The other former trustee is councilman Michael Marra.
In other meeting issues, the town was briefed on a rezoning application for a proposed 12-acre customs and border patrol site located at 1098 Upper Mountain Road. The project would need approval for 13,000 square feet of office space, a 10,500 square foot indoor garage and a heliport. Palmer said the heliport would be positioned on the reservoir side of the plot, to avoid public concern and wouldn’t be used often. The site is expected to house 50 border patrol agents for a minimum of 20 years. The design and technical work has already been completed and is in need of the board’s approval to move forward. The application has been forwarded to the planning board for consideration.
After conducting several interviews, the town has moved forward in filling a vacancy on its police force as they approved the hiring of John Ripsen as a full-time officer. They also hired Alan Gansworth as a part-time officer.
Lewiston
LEWISTON: Winkley gets on board
Now-former village trustee fills vacancy Monday
- Lewiston
-
-
Teacher likes this Apple at Lew-Port
Keeping up with technology is a problem almost everywhere. But in the classroom, a deficiency can cripple children as they move through their formative years into post-high school.
-
Drama continues for Lewiston recreation center
It appears the Village of Lewiston’s plan to put a referendum on the ballot concerning the construction of a potential recreation complex will not happen. At least not as village administrators planned.
-
Black History Month celebrated at Mount St. Mary's
February is Black History Month, and the administration at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital took time Thursday to honor some of its employees of color and their contributions.
-
Lewiston highway department saving green
If a Town of Lewiston Highway Department truck drives by, chances are it has been worked on by the in-house mechanics. That’s a given, considering the financial state of the town, the state and the nation. They just can’t afford to send them elsewhere.
-
Strong season leads to more town funds
Thanks to two unexpected sources, the Town of Lewiston has more money in its coffers.
-
Lewiston patrol car involved in crash
A Lewiston Police officer was not seriously hurt after his patrol car was struck by another vehicle as he was on his way to answer an alarm call.
-
Lewiston looking to add time to Joseph Davis lease
With greenway money potentially on the way for possible projects, members of the Joseph Davis State Park Local Development Corp. are ready to move forward with phase one of capital improvements.
-
‘Burning’ questions about Lewiston author's new book
Lewiston resident and accomplished author Norah Perez had a story floating around in the deep recesses of her mind. She just needed someone to take a gamble and allow her to publish it.
-
Group looking at numerous LOOW clean up options
The Lake Ontario Ordnance Works Restoration Advisory Board is looking at which clean up options are valid and which are impossible or illegal among seven possibilities given by the Army Corps of Engineers concerning the future of the Niagara Falls Storage Site remediation.
-
New chance for former Center Street establishment
The First & Last Chance Saloon could be back in business along Center Street.
- More Lewiston Headlines
-
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
