Holley mayor won’t seek re-election, will resign next month

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 June 2020 at 11:30 am

Photo by Tom Rivers: Holley Mayor Brian Sorochty speaks on Dec. 11, 2018 during a “Preservation Celebration” to kick off a $17 million construction project at the old Holley High School. The project is nearly done and has turned the school into 41 apartments and the Holley village offices.

HOLLEY – Brian Sorochty won’t be seeking re-election to continue as Holley’s mayor. Sorochty said his responsibilities at his job have increased. He plans to resign next month as mayor.

Holley’s election was slated for June 16, but has been moved by the state to Sept. 15.

Sorochty wanted to let the community know his intentions so potential candidates could consider serving the village as mayor.

He works as vice president of engineering for an engineering/construction company. He also said he wants to be more available for his family.

Sorochty has been on the board for seven years. Holley has tackled many ambitious projects during that tenure, highlighted by a $17 million transformation of the old Holley High School. That building had been vacant for more than 25 years.

Home Leasing of Rochester is turning it into 41 apartments and the Holley village offices.

“It is truly awesome to see the lights on in that beautiful old building and to know that people are living there and that very soon the Village offices will be there as well,” Sorochty said in a letter to the editor sent to the Orleans Hub. “Our community and officials at all levels pulled together working with the developer to make that project a success and it is wonderful to be a part of it! Our Village will be a better place with that historic building revitalized and I am truly happy for our community.”

Holley also will soon start construction on a $4.5 million waterline and sidewalk project that will take about a year.

The village also is seeing the federal EPA spend $12.5 million in the latest cleanup of the Diaz Chemical site on Jackson street.

Holley also has partnered with the Landmark Society of Western New York to draw attention to historic sites in need of attention. The “Five to Revive” designation for the old school helped connect Home Leasing to the project.

The Landmark Society also has listed a commercial building in the Public Square to the “Five to Revive.”

Sorochty said he has enjoyed working with the many officials in the community and region, to move Holley forward with several initiatives.

“Having the privilege to be your Mayor and being able to work with everyone I have met along the way is a great honor and  a time I will always cherish,” he wrote in his letter.

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