LEWISTON: In a pickle

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PHOTOs by DAN CAPPELLAZZO/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER THAT’S A LOT OF MILES: Lewiston Town Supervisor Steve Reiter stands outside his town truck that he calls “the pickle.” The beat-up old truck has 227,000 miles on it and has seen better days. DAN CAPPELLAZZO/STAFF PHOTOGRAPH
IN THE GREEN: Lewiston Town Supervisor Steve Reiter sits inside his town truck that he calls “the pickle,” complete with a pickle decoration. DAN CAPPELLAZZO/STAFF PHOTOGRAPH

March 5, 2010

BY NICK MATTERA The Niagara Gazette Fri Mar 05, 2010, 10:07 PM EST

Lewiston Town Supervisor Steven L. Reiter is in a pickle.

Or at least that’s what he calls the beat-up green pickup truck he drives, worth little more than the slew of pop cans lining the floor.

Reiter has been criticized recently for his use of the town-owned vehicle, but said he uses the former Highway Department vehicle for Town related business only.

The 11-year-old truck has 227,000 miles on it and an attachment to Reiter that he said is hard to give up.

“I used this truck for years with the highway department, everyone knows me when I’m driving it, and I just don’t want to give it up,” he said.

Reiter said he uses the truck to make his daily rounds at the wastewater plant, police station, senior center library and other various stops.

He joked the most valuable thing inside the truck is a green pickle hanging from the rear view mirror given, a gift given to him by the senior center.

During January, Reiter used $309.84 in town-purchased gasoline to fill up the “Pickle.” In February, the amount dropped to $249. The gas allowance is taken from the $12,000 Supervisor Contractual line in the budget, which can be used for supplies, gas and other miscellaneous expenses incurred over the course of a year.

“Look at this thing, it has no other value to the town,” Reiter said, pointing at the dents and rust scattered over the dark green Chevy. “I think I am saving the taxpayer, because I don’t charge mileage.”

Board Member Michael Marra said he personally believes Reiter’s use of the truck is warranted as long as he is on town business but thinks the board should make it official.

“We haven’t done it officially, but we should discuss it at the next board meeting,” he said.

Marra said while other supervisors have not had use of the vehicle, they have charged mileage to the town at a cost of 50 cents per mile.

“It’s been different in the past, but this way saves money,” Marra said. “It is already a town vehicle, and I think its cost wise of us to let him use the truck, as opposed to reimbursing him for gas.”

Marra laughed when describing the truck saying it’s far from a luxury vehicle.

“The truck should have been replaced years ago, I don’t think it could serve any other purpose to the town,” he said. “Have you ever seen it?”

Board Member Ernest Palmer agreed Reiter should have use of the truck calling complaints strictly political.

“We have so many other important things in Lewiston than to worry about the use of a truck,” Palmer said. “I believe in lieu of billing the town for personal mileage he should have the option to use it.”

Reiter admitted he didn’t think it was an issue, but can understand taxpayers’ concerns.

“I am going to make mistakes, we all do,” Reiter said. “I will never do anything that intentionally affects the taxpayers of Lewiston in a negative way.”

Reiter said he expects the board to approve his use of the truck at its meeting Monday.

Contact reporter Nick Mattera at 282-2311, ext. 2251.

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