by Alice Escott

During the Evans Town Board meeting held on Wednesday, January 5, 2005, Councilman Joe Govenettio answered the “Ramblings” that have been periodically printed in the Angola Penny Saver so that the “actual facts” would be available to all of the Town residents. The “Ramblings” have been portrayed by their author as being the truth and disclosing the “hidden agendas” of the elected officials of the Town of Evans when, in fact, the “ramblings” are just “ramblings”. When asked by Supervisor Robert Catalino II for his report, Councilman Govenettio said, “I’m just going to report on the Penny Saver Ramblings of Mr. Militello that have been going on for awhile.” In his latest rambling, “he starts out [questioning] the Roberts Rules situation…” The Town Board does follow the Roberts Rules of Order. “The only time we don’t is an exception when a local law or resolution overrides it.” The Board does know about the Rules and uses them appropriately for a town board meeting. “What you put in the paper about how much we make, I have no problem with. That’s public knowledge. You have a right to print anything you want.” The “ramblings” next questioned hiring a consultant for the Town. As a Board, “we feel it’s a good thing to use the experience of Mr. Swyers. In fact Mr. Swyers wanted to stay on to help finish up the projects he got started.” It makes more sense to consult with a person who has done all the necessary research than to “re-invent the wheel” for each project. “As a town board, we can appoint consultants. It is good for our town.” The “ramblings” report that TXRX is gone. “TXRX is not gone. In fact my company, Dimar Manufacturing in Clarence, works with TXRX. We are currently doing business with them. Back in 1996, TXRX became a member of the Bird Technologies Group. They may have talked about leaving the town but instead they are restructuring their business. This has nothing to do with the Town or Town Officials. This past year, Councilwoman Kathy Bartus and Lori Szewczyk, Economic Development Coordinator have worked with TXRX about putting up a new building in the town. A new building which was cheaper than any other town could offer, or any other state could offer. That project is still on the table. So that’s a little false information you have printed there.” “Evans National Bank did move their banking headquarters, but they also expanded their insurance company business and moved the insurance headquarters out of Silver Creek and into Angola bringing many additional people into the Village of Angola. The bank headquarters’ offices moved but they still have two ENB buildings in the Village of Angola and three banks in the Town.” “Four years ago, New Era Cap Company downsized. It had nothing to do with the town, it was a business decision. We offered them tax breaks which they didn’t want and didn’t take. They didn’t want any town help and the taxes that they pay are limited anyway. They needed to downsize. They also had some infrastructure problems, but they took care of them, and they’re still here.” “The development of Tops Plaza is a great idea. It’s going to help out the whole town, help out the business development in the Derby area. Many businessmen in that area are very excited about it and believe it will help attract more businesses into this town. “The Dollar General, which [Militello] thinks is a joke, apparently, has pleased many people in the community. The town is are still working on trying to get a major chain to come into town, in the meantime, the people in the community are very happy that the Dollar General is there and will be opening soon. “In reference to the Laundromat closing, the problem is that businesses come and go as they please. They are in business, if they don’t make money, and a lot of them don’t, they leave. That storefront will be filled with a Quizno’s Subs store that is coming in February.