Candidates, politicians flock to Lyndonville for parade

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – Saturday’s parade on the Fourth of July in Lyndonville including numerous political candidates and office holders at the town, county and federal levels.

Don Organisciak, a retired Medina police officer and investigator, is one of three candidates running for Orleans County sheriff. Organisciak has the Democrsatic Party endorsement for the November election.

Tom Drennan, the chief deputy for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, walks with supporters. He has the Republican Party endorsement for sheriff.

Randy Bower is out in front of his group of supporters. Bower works as a county dispatcher. He has the Conservative Party endorsement for sheriff and is working to force a Republican primary against Drennan. Incumbent Scott Hess is retiring as sheriff on Dec. 31.

Mike Fuller, the Shelby highway superintendent, is out with his supporters. He faces a challenge from Ed Houseknecht, the former Orleans County highway superintendent and DPW superintendent in Medina.

U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, R-Clarence, represents the 27th Congressional District, which includes Orleans County.

State Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, marched in the Lyndonville parade for the first time since succeeding Gerge Maziarz in the State Senate.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, tosses candy to the crowd. Hawley mixed in some behind the back tosses to some of the kids along the parade route.

Paul Lauricella, a Conservative Party candidate for County Legislature, joins members of SCOPE (Shooters Committee on Political Education). Lauricella is running for Legislature against Lynne Johnson.

Legislature Lynne Johnson, who is also president of the Lyndonville Lions Club, walked the parade route. She was joined by her Republican legislator colleagues David Callard, John DeFilipps and Ken DeRoller. They wore T-shirts supporting Johnson. She represents a district that includes the towns of Yates, Ridgeway and a portion of Shelby.

Political newcomer James White is endorsed by the Democrats for an at-large spot on the County Legislature. He is challenging Don Allport, the Republican incumbent.

Candidates and office holders weren’t the only ones with a political message. The group, Save Ontario Shores, was in the parade and had an information booth trying to rally support against a proposed project with 60 to 68 large wind turbines in Yates and Somerset.