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Town history made as Holtz is sworn in
By John J. Hopkins Times
 | | Mary F. Holtz takes the oath of office as town supervisor during Tuesday's inauguration ceremonies at the Cheektowaga Senior Center. Holding the Bible is her oldest brother, Jim. Holtz, who is Cheektowaga's first female supervisor, succeeded James J. Jankowiak, second from left, who administered the oath. Holding the microphone is former supervisor and current New York State Assemblyman Dennis H. Gabryszak. (Times photo) |
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After about 37 years dealing with the public on a daily basis in the town clerk's office, Mary F. Holtz has taken on a different responsibility, becoming Cheektowaga's 27th supervisor and its third in three years.
Holtz took the oath of office Tuesday afternoon at the Cheektowaga Senior Center before a packed house of Democratic party supporters including dozens of family and friends.
Holtz made her way to the supervisor's office in Town Hall Wednesday morning, which she admitted felt different.
"It was really strange after 37 years," Holtz told the Times. "I'm so used to stopping and turning left (towards the clerk's office) when I reach the first floor. It was a little odd."
Holtz succeeds James J. Jankowiak, who was appointed su- pervisor in 2007. Jankowiak administered her the oath of office 60 years to the day that her father Benedict took his first oath as town supervisor.
"He built the town and I like to think I'm revitalizing the town," Holtz said.
During her father's tenure as supervisor, Walden Avenue developed, the New York State Thruway reached the town, Westinghouse and other businesses near the airport were flourishing and Cheektowaga's population doubled. Houses and re- lated infrastructure grew in leaps and bounds.
Her ascension to the town's top post has been public knowledge since last July, when it was revealed that town Republicans chose not to field a candidate in the November general election.
Holtz remains town historian, and her knowledge of Cheektowaga is voluminous. Now, she has become a part of Cheektowaga's 138-year history, becoming its first female supervisor.
Holtz, whose father also served as town clerk, often says that she grew up in town hall. Her father first hired her to work in the clerk's office 37 years ago.
"I made copies and issued dog licenses," Holtz recalled, noting that the licenses then were written by hand, unlike today's computerized versions. "We used to get tons of dog mail and they were all due in January. It was like the tax bills."
As clerk, Holtz modernized the office, electronically storing thousands of town records, placing town board agendas and the town code online, and expanding the records department.
Looking ahead to her term, Holtz said three items- stabilizing housing, town campus improvements and upgrades to the town's sewer infrastructure- will dominate her agenda.
"We need to get our housing stock back to a situation where it's better managed and controlled in the city line areas," Holtz said. "It's key to the town to get them back on the assessment rolls."
There are more than 500 vacant homes in Cheektowaga, many of which are located in the Pine Ridge- Walden Avenue neighborhoods.
Her position as supervisor may be perceived as new hope for residents of the town's west side, some of whom feel they have been neglected in the past. Holtz lives on Wildy Street in the same home her grandfather built in the early 1900s.
"They're not forgotten; I'm there," Holtz said.
Holtz said that improved housing could boost the town's efforts to market the Walden and Genesee business areas where vacant store fronts dominate the landscape.
However, Holtz also believes that there is a misguided perception that Cheektowaga's west side has deteriorated beyond restoration.
"It sounds like the area is falling apart, which it really isn't," Holtz said. "I've lived there my whole life. There's a lot of good families, and there's more moving in."
Plans for the town campus include razing the former incinerator building and expansion of the Police and Courts and Town Hall buildings.
A preliminary court expansion plan calls for an addition on the building's north side.
"We want to get all of the major offices back on the main campus," Holtz said, adding campus expansion is a "long-term" goal. "We need to get the court done in the next year or so, but we still have to sit down with the police and the judges to see what they need."
Holtz also stated that Cheektowaga boasts several excellent services, calling the senior and recreation programs among the best in Erie County.
"We have a great highway department, sanitation, and many great department heads," Holtz said. "We're doing a lot of good things that we want to continue without raising taxes."
Holtz's oath of office was one of eight that took place at the senior center.
Leading the procession Tuesday were the Color Guard and Ladies' Auxiliary from the Pvt. Leonard Post Jr. Post VFW #6251.
Holtz was particularly pleased that the post was involved in the ceremonies.
"My father was the first commander of Leonard Post and a longtime member," Holtz explained, "I grew up with Leonard Post and I very much appreciate them being here today."
Also taking their oaths of office were councilmembers Jeff Swiatek, Charles Markel and Richard Zydel; Town Clerk Alice Magierski; Highway Superintendent Mark Wegner and Town Justice Thomas S. Kolbert.
The inauguration ceremonies were emceed by Assemblyman Dennis H. Gabryszak, and Congressman Brian Higgins (D-NY-27) was the guest speaker.
Following the inauguration, the new town board conducted a quick special board meeting to unanimously appoint Stanley Kaznowski III to a vacant board position created when Magierski resigned to become clerk.
At the conclusion of the one-resolution meeting, Holtz announced that Swiatek will serve as her deputy supervisor.
Kaznowski then was sworn in as councilmember.
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