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GOWANDA PRESS
The preferred newspaper of the Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce and an official newspaper of the Gowanda Central School District
September 22-28, 2017
Downbeat Percussion added to Community Spirit Parade By Rich Place
Managing Editor
Press photo by Rich Place
Gowanda Mayor David Smith congratulates new village clerk Danielle Wagner after Wagner took the oath of office for the position at the village board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
Wagner appointed village clerk By Rich Place
Managing Editor
GOWANDA — The village has a new clerk following the appointment of Danielle Wagner to the position on Tuesday at the village board’s regular meeting. She’ll fill the seat of Molly Dalimonte, who resigned in August. Nancy Black was approved in mid-August to serve as interim clerk and Black, along with village treasurer Traci Hopkins, had since been manning responsibilities at the village office. “I’m intrigued by it,” said Wagner of the village clerk’s position following the board meeting on Tuesday. “I love Gowanda, ever since I moved here. It’s a very homey, quaint town. It grows on you.” Wagner said she has lived in the village for 14 years after meeting her husband and moving to the area. She originally grew up in Buffalo. She currently works for the Springville branch of Community Bank. See Clerk, Page 17
GOWANDA — Organizers of the fourth annual Community Spirit Parade are giving area residents another reason to participate or witness the event with the addition of Downbeat Percussion, the official drumline for the Buffalo Bills, scheduled to make an appearance. The musicians were confirmed Tuesday night after the village board unanimously approved a $500 donation to bring the drum corps to the parade. “For those who don’t know, it’s like bringing the New England Patriots to your little league football game,” said Mayor David Smith. He said funding for it came from the village’s Community Account established in the Trust and Agency Fund. The parade, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, is part of the school’s spirit week and homecoming festivities. The parade’s coordination is led by the Gowanda Boosters Club. Jennifer Gernatt, president of the club, said bringing a band to the parade is something they have wanted to do since the parade’s inception, but noted it’s difficult to have the school marching band participate because so many members are already a part of the parade in other aspects. “This really shows how our community has come together,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity for our community. It shows that, when we work
Press file photo
Downbeat Percussion, shown here in the 2014 Salamanca Falling Leaves Festival parade, will perform as part of the fourth annual Community Spirit Parade in Gowanda on Thursday, Oct. 12.
together, great things can happen here.” Downbeat Percussion performs at Buffalo Bills games and throughout the area, according to Jack Gaylord Jr., president of Drums Along the Waterfront and influential in organizing Downbeat Percussion. “When you are at a parade, most bands just come down the street,” said Gaylord. “This group likes to really interact with the crowd. They are continually stopping, going in See Parade, Page 17