John Balacki of Downtown Beautification Group named ‘Volunteer of the Year’

OLEAN — John Balacki has been named “Volunteer of the Year” by Mayor Bill Aiello.

The mayor held a Volunteer Appreciation Pizza Party at the John J. Ash Community Center on Oct. 24, for volunteers from the Litter Control Group, the Downtown Olean Beautification Group, the Senior Center and the Bartlett House.

In citing Balacki as Volunteer of the Year, Aiello said he “has been instrumental in keeping our gardens beautiful and full of life” along North Union Street 

In recognizing the Olean Beautification Committee, Aiello said, “We have a group that meets monthly, makes plans for the gardens in the business district and carries those plans through. They design and put together the planters and the baskets. They volunteer in the gardens, and recruit others to join them,” he said 

“Their work does not go unnoticed,” Aiello said. I get so many compliments from residents and visitors. They notice the charm that this group has added to our beautiful Olean.”

As Volunteer of the Year, Dr. Balacki, received a Key to the City on a plaque that reads, “For his dedication and service to our community especially in the public gardens; for working with the city and outside contractors to implement landscapes he designed, and for cultivating a strong volunteer network of gardeners who have transformed North Union Street into a beautiful oasis.”

Other members of the Olean Beautification Committee include:  Susan Bly, Danielle Eaton, Joey Enright, Laurie McCarthy, Kathy Marzec, and Kevin Vogel.

Aiello also recognized a group of residents who envisioned how Franchot Park could look and took on a project to upgrade the gazebo and the dugouts. 

The group, which included Marcia Nandillon, Patty Fries, Gary Ahrens and Aaron Kellogg, “gave Franchot Park a whole new look,” Aiello said.

Mayor Aiello thanked the volunteers, saying, “I really do appreciate all the work our volunteers do for Olean. None of your work goes unnoticed. Thank you so much for your dedication and commitment to our community.”