For the second year in a row Republicans have handed Democrat Ann Rawlin a defeat in her bid to become a member of the Malta Town Council. Donna Gizzi garnered just 239 votes more than Rawlin to be elected into the council seat she has held since January, when she was appointed to Supervisor Paul Sausville’s vacated seat by the board. As winner of this election, Gizzi will serve out the remainder of Sausville’s term through December 2007. If she wants to stay on the board beyond 2007, she will have to be elected into the seat again next year.
Prior to her appointment to the board, Gizzi had served 15 years as the confidential secretary to former Town Supervisor Dave Meager; a role she says prepared her well for the council position. At the time of her appointment Gizzi expressed an interest in the economic development of Malta, in particular the downtown area. She was named chairwoman of the Malta Economic Development Committee (MEDC) soon after.
As chair of the Economic Development Committee I am seeking out new businesses that will expand our tax base and assist Malta in maintaining its zero tax status, she has said. The MEDC worked closely with town businesses during the Exit 12 reconstruction and sent out mailers to residents detailing alternate routes and educating them about the use of roundabouts.
In addition to her role as chairperson for that committee, Gizzi has also served on the Malta Bikeway Committee and chaired the Bicentennial Committee. A resident of the Village of Round Lake, she has been involved with the Round Lake Hose Company since the early 80s.
Gizzi has recently been working with community members, the newly formed trails committee, and other members of the town board in highlighting the need for the expansion of the walking trails along Ruhle Road South and East Line Road. That project, originally expected to have been finished by now, will be completed in the spring.
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