John Morriss gets praise as he exits from elected office
Photos by Tom Rivers: John Morriss has a big smile as he opens a present – a plaque – on Thursday during a year-end Town Board meeting. Morriss didn’t seek re-election and Thursday was his final meeting as town supervisor.
MURRAY – John Morriss said if you live in a community you should look for ways to make it better.
For 40 years he has been a member of the Holley Fire Department. He also was a member of the Holley Village Board beginning in the mid-1990s and then joined the Murray Town Board. For about eight years, he has been the Murray town supervisor. His combined tenure on the Holley and Murray boards includes more than 20 years.
“We want to take this opportunity to thank you for all of years of service to the community,” Town Councilman Paul Hendel said on Thursday during Morriss’s final meeting as town supervisor.
Morriss didn’t seek re-election. Councilman Bob Miller won a contentious election over Joe Sidonio as the next town supervisor.
Morriss counts an addition to the Town Hall and a new water district (with another to be constructed next year) as significant accomplishments.
Town officials met on Thursday during a year-end meeting at the Town Hall. Pictured from left include Town Councilman Lloyd Christ, Councilman Bob Miller, Town Clerk Cindy Oliver, Town Supervisor John Morriss, Town Attorney Jeff Martin and Councilman Paul Hendel.
At a meeting when Morriss was praised by many of the board members and staff for his service, he went around the room thanking town employees for their dedication every day.
Morriss is a retired special education teacher from the Greece school district. He would leave his house in the village and take Hurd Road to Route 104 when he drove to school. He could count on the highway workers being up early and having the roads clear in the winter.
“The roads are always maintained,” Morriss told Ed Morgan, the town highway superintendent. “Everything looks good. You guys to a fantastic job.”
Morriss also credited Ron Vendetti, the code enforcement officer, for doing a “great job” in a tough position.
Vendetti said Morriss has “certainly given a lot to this community.”
John Morriss holds a picture of himself that will hang inside the town hall with other town supervisors.
Morriss praised other town employees at the meeting, including Town Clerk Cindy Oliver, Deputy Town Clerk Val Mauro and Town Attorney Jeff Martin.
Morriss was commended by Paul Hendel for a “calm demeanor.”
Morriss said he didn’t mind some tense meetings at Town Hall. He welcomed the input by several residents who have attended meetings and asked questions, trying to better understand town policies and spending decisions.
Morriss also thanked his wife of 42 years, Chris, for her patience and understanding. The couple has two grown sons.
Morriss would often stop by the Town Hall, thinking it wouldn’t take long but would find there were many tasks to be completed.
“Now when I tell my wife I’ll be home in a couple minutes, it will be a couple minutes,” he said.
