June 22, 2014 Page D2 | Times of Wayne County

1 ON 1by Patti HoldrakerTimes Writer

An interview withKim ParkSupervisor,

Town of Wolcott

Where were you born?I was born at the old Sodus Hospital

and grew up in Wolcott on our family dairy farm. I have spent most of my life here. I was named Kim (not Kim-berly) by my Dad, because, all his life he had to deal with being called Samu-el, when all he ever wanted to be called was Sam.

Tell me about your family.My parents (Sam and Ethel Park)

were older when I was born; my broth-er, Tom, was 18 years older than me. They were all very well liked and re-spected in town. I love having people come up to me and tell me how great they were, especially since they are not around now. My brother died at age 34 of a heart attack, just before my junior year of high school. My parents have both passed away now too. My mother died three years ago, and my husband Todd and I kept her into our family home for hospice care for 21 months. I have no regrets about that. We became even closer. You certainly learn that are a full 24 hours in a day.

Tell me about growing up in Wolcott.You know how, when you’re young,

like in your teens, you can’t wait to get away from your home. Then, when you finally come back - you wonder why you ever left. Wolcott is home. Even though I went away to college, I al-ways came back to Wolcott. I grew up on our dairy farm, and worked hard, but loved it. You learn so much about work ethics and responsibilities.

I learned how things worked. There were many practical lessons.

My brother did not leave the farm when he graduated. Dad encouraged him to go, but he said he wanted to keep working in the business, if not with Dad at the farm, then some oth-er farm -- so he stayed. I adored my brother. We were close and he was ex-tremely protective of me.

Dad and Mom were very involved in the Town. Dad was very civic-minded. He was president of the school board for many years, and was well respect-ed, Both my parents were always very supportive of me.

Did you know when you graduated high school what you wanted to do?

Not really. I knew I wanted to go to college, but not in what field. I gradu-ated from North Rose-Wolcott High School in 1984 and went to SUNY Oswego, to stay close to home, and be near my brother’s three children. I am still very close to them.

At Oswego I graduated with a B.S. in Marketing and a B.A. in Psychol-ogy. I decided to major in the business field. My first job when I came home was working for Fold Pak in Newark, to make money to pay for my college loans. I went on to graduate school at Brockport and continued to work, earn-ing my MPA (Masters in Public Ad-ministration). I also earned a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. While I was taking my grad courses, I worked for BOCES for about 6-1/2 years years

in sales and marketing of a nationwide staff development program.

From BOCES, I went on to become a Senior Regional Advisor for McGraw Hill, and worked with many teachers and administrators. The best part of the job was that I got to travel a great deal.

I loved my sales and marketing work with McGraw Hill. There was a lot of time for presentations and public speaking that I enjoyed. It was a type of computer-based literacy. I still lived in Wolcott, but traveled up and down the East Coast.

When did you find time to marry?In 2002, a mutual friend introduced

Todd Palmer and I at her birthday par-ty. I wasn’t thrilled about a “set up”, but I went and sat next to him during the party. We just “clicked” imme-diately! He was in his family’s busi-ness, Palmer Distributing in Newark. We were married in October of 2003. I have two stepsons also, Preston (now 19) and Garrett (now 17).

How did you get into politics?I have always been interested in

things that went on in my town and in the county. Todd was not happy that I was traveling so much with my job, and one day told me that they were looking for a County Administrator. I applied for the job and got it, stay-ing on for 2 years. After that time, I felt I wanted to serve my community even better. I decided to run for Town Supervisor of Wolcott, against Marv Decker. Wolcott was my home and is near and dear to me. I thought I could do a good job, serving my community. Marv had done a great job, and was a great guy, but I thought I was right for the job.

I began as Supervisor of Wolcott in January of 2006. I was the youngest of the Supervisors at age 38. I began the same year that Jim Hoffman took over as Chairman of the Board, and Bob Plant came on as Supervisor of the Town of Walworth, and Steve LeRoy as Supervisor of Sodus. Jody Bender of Marion and I were the only women on the board that year.

How do you like your job on the Town and County boards?

I love them. Being Town Supervi-sor is one of the most rewarding jobs of my career. I take it very seriously. As Supervisor, and on the Board of Su-

pervisors, I was elected and entrusted to be the steward of the tax dollars of my constituents. I am now serving people in my town and county who I have known all my life. I take that re-sponsibility very seriously. I have dealt with small businesses in town, but the problems and dilemmas I help to solve in the Town for the public, give me the most pleasure. You can’t please every-one, I have learned, but you can listen to everyone and do what is best for the majority. As long as I am effective and the people want me as Supervisor, I will continue in the job. I am up for election again in Fall of 2015.

What do you enjoy most at the coun-ty level?

I like heading different commit-tees. I really liked being the chairman of the Health and Medical committee, and working with the Wayne County Nursing Home. I have a real affin-ity for the older generation. There are so many challenges with aging. I was completely surprised when I was asked to become chairman of the Finance Committee. It is very different - I deal with so many more departments. I love what I do and I am honored to have the opportunity to do it all.

I understand you run businesses of your own?

Yes, I have “Kim Park Properties, LLC”, which is a rental property com-pany; and also “Finger Lakes Home Supply”, which is a distribution com-pany for home supplies for community based residences. My husband Todd helps me in that business. He is a great partner in all ways. He is extremely supportive of everything I do. We work and play well together. Some-times, I even have time to enjoy our boat on Port Bay. I am happy to live in the same house my family has owned for 5 generations, since 1830.

What, for you is the meaning of life?I think it is to be true to yourself. I

live by a set of values, a code of ethics, a moral code. Whatever you believe is what makes you tick. You have to find your inner peace. I use my code of values in everything I do - in all my decisions. I gained this from my par-ents and their high ethical standards. We do not do things alone. We are only as good as the people we surround our-selves with.

Board MeetingsThe following may be only a brief summary of

highlights of area municipal meetings. Full reports are available at waynetimes.com

Walworth Town Board Thurs., June 19, 2014MS4 presentation, Discussion of residential chicken raisingA regular meeting of the board was called to order by Supervisor Marini at

7:30 PM in the Walworth Town Hall Meeting Room. Reported correspondence was received from the girl scouts, thanking the town for an in-kind gift of two plaques. Additionally two acknowledgment letters were received from Senator Nozzolio. The first was regarding the town’s resolution opposing the expansion of Federal Control under the Clean Water Act. The second acknowledgment was a response to the town’s suggestion for the state to offer an alternative to the Property Tax Reduction by eliminating the cost of state mandated spending im-posed on county property taxpayers.

Public comment was offered from Mr. Jeff Wagner regarding the town code 180- 13 B(1); keeping chickens as pets on his property. Mr. Wagner explained that he has kept chickens as pets for 25 years at his West Walworth Rd. home, noting they are small and easy to care for. In addition, he shared that they provide fresh, steroid-free eggs, contribute to the compost pile, help fertilize his property, and provide enjoyment to his family and grandchildren, who have personally named each chicken. Mr. Wagner commented that “Walworth likes to celebrate its agricultural history, however because I have less than 5 acres, the code says I cannot have chickens.” He continued, “It’s really ironic that we live in the beau-tiful Town of Walworth, surrounded by farms, [and can’t raise chickens] mean-while residents in the cities of Rochester and Buffalo can.” He shared his concern for the Future Farmers of America and 4H organizations, in which members also raise chickens. To summarize, Mr. Wagner questioned the board on the proce-dure for revising the town code. Supervisor Marini explained that she would forward the information to the Master Plan Committee for review. In the interim, Supervisor Marini made a motion to put a hold on the order of the Code enforce-ment Officer until the matter could be considered by the Master Plan Committee. This was approved by the board.

A presentation regarding the MS4 Coalition was given to the board by Mr. Mike Simon and Mr. Ryan Destro of BME Associates. The pair explained that the MS4 is the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Community, and is more typi-cally found in urban communities. With that said, the Town of Walworth was state mandated to participate due to the population density in areas of town such as the Gananda subdivision. They also explained the Town of Walworth is also a member of the 9 municipality Ontario Storm Water Coalition, which is a ben-efit due to the benefit of sharing resources and assets within the coalition. Wal-worth’s MS4 Permit was noted as being a Traditional Land Use Control MS4, with general requirements. The 6 Minimum Measures include: Public Educa-tion & Outreach, Public Participation & Public Involvement, Elicit Discharge & Elimination, Construction Site Runoff Controls, Post-Construction Monitoring Systems, and Pollution Prevention & Good Housekeeping. Supervisor Marini ex-plained that the town is required to pay an annual fee to be members of the MS4 Coalition, however the town also received grant funding for the Highway Salt Barn from the coalition, therefore stating that membership also has its benefits. The current permit is in effect through April 30, 2014, at which time the EPA/DEC will renew the town’s permit. Future action items were cited, explaining that the town is responsible for submitting its final annual report by June 1, 2014, and also that Storm Water needs to be added into the town code.

Under Committee Reports, Supervisor Marini presented a letter of apprecia-tion for the highway department on its recent good work repairing a blocked cul-vert pipe. She also noted that a public informational meeting regarding the water extension to Burrow and Schoolhouse Roads will be held on Monday, June 3rd, at 7:00 PM in the Walworth Town Hall Meeting Room.

Councilwoman Markowski remarked that cemetery clean-up is continuing. The Walworth-Seely Public Library Committee is also starting its own Booster Committee due to its perceived “lack of support” from the Friends of the Library.

Approved business included:

- Adoption of Town Bomb Threat Policy to the Town Policy & Procedure Manual

- Adoption of a Town Fixed Asset Policy to the Town Policy & Procedure Manual

- Authorization for membership and registration for Councilman Larry Ruth to attend the NYS Government Finance Officers’ Association, Inc. Western Region Summer Seminar on July 17, 2014 in the amount of $105.00

- Motion to put a hold on the order of the Code Enforcement Officer to remove chickens from West Walworth Road Property until the matter is reviewed by the Master Plan Committee, tentatively in August

The public meeting was then adjourned at 8:14 PM for the board to meet in Executive Session regarding possible litigation, a personnel matter, collective ne-gotiations, the investigation of a possible criminal offense, and to discuss a matter wherein the identity of a law enforcement agency or law enforcement officer may be disclosed. The meeting was called back to order at 8:25, and a motion was made authorizing Supervisor Marini to draft a letter to the Library Board regard-ing an incident with “Employee A” which occurred on June 12, 2104. No other business came before the board and the public meeting was adjourned at 8:30PM. The next regular meeting of the board will be held on Thursday, July 3rd, at 7:30 PM in the Walworth Town Hall Meeting Room. By Becky Block

Williamson Town Board Tues., June 1, 2014Residency not required for Code Enforcement OfficerThe Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Williamson was held

in the Town Complex Court Room located at 6380 Route 21, Suite II, following the Worksession at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, June 10, 2014.

The board canceled the Public Hearing on proposed Local Law #2, 2014 to amend Chapter 178, Town of Williamson Zoning Code. The Public Hearing was to be held on June 24, 2014 at 7:30 PM. It is being cancelled due to other changes that the Planning and Zoning Boards would like to look into having amended. The Public Hearing will be rescheduled at a later date.

Supervisor Hoffman commented that there was a meeting regarding repairs that need to be done at the Highway Dept. garage. He discussed having Larsen Engineers do an energy audit of the Highway garage to see if there are ways to make it more energy efficient. The Board agreed that they would like to have the energy audit done.

The board authorized the Williamson-Pultneyville Historical Society to con-tact the NYS Police and the WC Sheriff, regarding the closing of roads at the necessary times for the Pultneyville Homecoming celebration. The celebration will be Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20, 2014.

Approval was given for the disposal of fill dirt as per Consent to Entry and Release of Liability Agreement on property owned by Edward Gelina, on Con-don Road, in the Town of Williamson. The fill dirt will be from watermain projects in the Town of Williamson. They also approved the disposal of fill dirt as per Consent to Entry and Release of Liability Agreement on property owned by Steve Galle, at 4689 Everdyke Road, in the Town of Williamson. The fill dirt and materials will be from watermain projects in the Town of Williamson.

Councilman Verno made a motion, seconded by Councilman Watson, to ap-prove the disposal of fill dirt as per Consent to Entry and Release of Liability Agreement on property owned by Phil Provenzano, at 4949 Ridge Road, in the Town of Williamson. The fill dirt will be from watermain projects in the Town of Williamson.

The board directed the Town Clerk to advertise in the official Town papers the week of June 15, 2014 to cancel the Public Hearing on proposed Local Law #3, 2014 to add Chapter 33, Peddling and Soliciting. The Public Hearing was to be held on June 24, 2014 at 7:40 PM. The Public Hearing will be rescheduled at a later date.

A notice having been published for a Public Hearing regarding proposed Lo-cal Law #2014-1, to amend Chapter 29, Article IV, Section #8 “Residency”. Su-pervisor Hoffman read the rules of a Public Hearing. He declared the Hearing open at 8:00 PM. The Supervisor reviewed the changes in the existing law. As no one wished to comment or ask questions, the Public Hearing was closed. The board then adopted proposed Local Law #1 to amend Chapter 29 – Officers and Employees, Section 29-8 Town Residency not required. This Local Law is to al-low non-residents to hold the positions of Code Enforcement Officer, Building Inspector and Animal Control Officer. .

MORE MEETINGS ON PAGE D-4