I Need Your Listing. I Sold All Of Mine.
Joanne Bocach Licensed Associate
Real Estate Broker
Call 585-415-6107
Platinum JoanneBocach.HowardHanna.com Award Winner! 9 MAIN ST. BROCKPORT, NY 14420
WEST EDITION
Westside News Established 1953
Serving Suburban News West and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald edition areas
Serving the communities of Hamlin, Clarkson, Kendall, Bergen, Clarendon, Holley-Murray, Brockport-Sweden
November 14, 2021
Issue No. 46
westsidenewsny.com
Gay Lenhard retires after 40 years of service to Ogden community by Tami Raco Ogden Supervisor Gay Lenhard was born in Niagara Falls. She moved to Spencerport with her mother and brother when she was six years old to live with her grandfather, and this is where she has spent much of her life. She grew up at a time when Spencerport was more rural, long before the village was bustling as it is now. Gay graduated from Spencerport High School and then went to college at RIT, where she earned a two-year degree in business. She met her future husband, Don, at a college dance, and they began dating. Gay was not ready to settle down at that time in her life and moved to Las Vegas to be near her father. After a year,
she moved back to Spencerport and reconnected with Don. They later married and raised their daughters, Robbie and Kristie, in Spencerport. Gay worked several different secretarial jobs, but her priorities shifted from her career to her family once she became a mom. After their daughters were teens, Gay decided to go back to college to obtain her four-year degree. “Going back to college as a mother of two young children and a wife was frightening and intimidating, but receiving my college education has provided endless rewards,” Gay said. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology, graduating summa cum laude. Gay’s career in local government began with the Spencerport Board of Education. She served on the school board for ten
Ogden Town Supervisor Gay Lenhard and Village of Spencerport Mayor Gary Penders received plaques for Ogden’s Bicentennial and Spencerport’s Sesquicentennial in 2017. File photo.
years and held the office of President for three years. Gay then went on to serve as the Assistant to the Supervisor for the Town of Ogden. As her responsibilities and experience increased, she then became the town’s Director of Personnel. When former Supervisor Donald Walzer retired in 1998, Lenhard was encouraged to run for the Town Supervisor position. She was elected to office and has held this seat for 23 years, with a total of 40 years of town employment. She officially announced her retirement this summer. Mike Zale was elected to succeed her as Ogden Town Supervisor. During Gay’s decades of service to the community, she was awarded the NYS Woman of Distinction Award (2003), served as a Spencerport Chamber of Commerce board member, served on the Eagle Scout Review Board, was Chairperson of the Ogden Senior Center Advisory Board, and served on various boards at The White Church. As Gay reflects on her years working in community government, she sees how much has changed over the last 20 years. “There has been such great change. The town has welcomed so many new businesses over the years, both small and large, as well as the increase in the many new housing developments built in Ogden. We have gone from a rural community to a highly sought-after suburb of Rochester. I really enjoy seeing the local stores and businesses thrive,” she said. Lenhard has many favorite memories throughout her career. “Meeting so many wonderful people, both residents and employees, was very rewarding.” She is also grateful to have had an impact on community initiatives such as CASE (Commission to Analyze Savings and Efficiency), bringing quality water to residents on Vroom Road, completing a comprehensive plan for the future of Ogden, and assisting with the formation of a self-funded Municipal
Gay Lenhard has served as Ogden Town Supervisor for 23 years. Provided photo. Worker’s Compensation Plan that is still running successfully . As a lifelong resident of Spencerport who gave four decades of her life to serving the community, Gay’s career was influential on many. She credits her mother as being one of the biggest influences in her life and on her career in local government. Her mom raised both Gay and her brother as a single parent. “Seeing my mom overcome many challenging situations helped me develop my strong work ethic,” Gay said. She was also influenced by many colleagues over the span of her career in government, which provided her with valuable insight. The town will be celebrating Supervisor Gay Lenhard’s retirement at the end of the month as they congratulate her on her years of service. Although retired, Gay will remain a familiar face in the town. “I hope to enjoy walks in the village, spend time with my friends and family, volunteer, and maybe even take a trip or two,” she said.
Monroe County to host COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Brockport HS Monroe County will be hosting voluntary COVID-19 vaccination clinics on November 18 and December 9, 3 to 5 p.m., at the Brockport High School cafeteria. Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available for eligible individuals age 12 and older. First dose, second dose, and booster/third dose shots will be available for eligible individuals. Children ages five to 11 will not be vaccinated at this clinic. Appointments are preferable, but walk-ins will be allowed during the clinic
timeframe. Appointments can be made online at https://healthcalls.monroecounty. gov/vac/form/brockporthspjkzr. Parking will be available in the student parking lot at Brockport High School (follow signs). Gift cards will be given for first and second doses ($50 gift card for first dose of Pfizer/Moderna; $50 gift card for second dose; $100 gift card for single shot of Johnson & Johnson), Gift cards are provided only while supplies last. The Brockport Central School District respects that medical decisions are an
individual’s choice with guidance limited to one’s physician. The district is providing this voluntary opportunity for its employees, families, community members, and students (age 12 or older). Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All individuals must provide identification upon arrival. After receiving the vaccination, individuals will receive their vaccination card and be asked to remain on-site for 15 to 30 minutes for monitoring. Provided information