Mayor swears in Manton officers

“This is one of the best parts of my job,” Mayor Joseph Polisena proclaimed early Tuesday afternoon inside the Johnston Senior Center’s multi-purpose room. “I usually get sworn at; today I’m here to swear people in!”

Polisena was at the center to swear in officers of the Manton Seniors. The Manton Seniors “is a very important organization,” Polisena said during his keynote speech. “You have a powerful voice that should be heard, especially when it comes to Social Security that some people want to privatize. That’s wrong, so use the power of your organization to address that and other issues regarding your well being.”

Once the laughter and applause subsided, Polisena delivered what some 60-plus senior citizens concurred was a rather enlightening update on the state of Johnston’s economy, replete with a report about what the mayor called “some new and interesting businesses that are already building here and others that are looking to move to Johnston.”

“The mayor’s speech was very informative and uplifting,” Lorie DeVito, veteran president of the Manton Seniors, offered following Polisena’s fun-loving yet serious talk.

The most meaningful, Manton member Jack Macomb said “are welcome sites in Johnston; especially the [now under construction] Citizens Bank Campus.”

Polisena also talked about the 26,000-square-foot Indoor Recreation Center that is being built at absolutely no cost to the taxpayers.

“By the time Citizens Bank is done with the project, it will cost at least $280 million and will include all kinds of recreational facilities that will be open to you – and all Johnston residents – free of charge.”

The mayor also told Manton members, as well as other Johnstonians in attendance, the new Citizens complex will not in any way create traffic problems.

“Granted, the [Citizens] campus will employee 3,200 people,” Polisena explained, “but those employees will work three different shifts and there will be new on-and off-ramps on Route 295. It’s an exciting project and time for Johnston.”

Once the day’s lunch that included beef barley soup, meatloaf with gravy, mixed vegetables, rye bread and chocolate pudding was finished, Polisena delivered his annual address then performed the ceremonial swearing in of four of the five Manton Seniors officers.

Lorie DeVito, who celebrated her 81st birthday on Dec. 16 and shows no signs of slowing down, was sworn in for the 19th time in as many years as the Manton Seniors president.

“It’s always an honor to have Mayor Polisena here for this inauguration,” DeVito said. “He’s always been a close friend of our family, especially my late husband Billy. He and the mayor were buddies.”

Gracelyn Travison, a newcomer to the board, was sworn in as the vice president while JoAnn Krzyzek – DeVito’s daughter – took the oath of office as the treasurer for the third time in as many years. Rose Coppola returned as corresponding secretary.

There was, however, as Polisena and DeVito noted, a “sad side to Tuesday’s swearing in because Mary Cerra, a one-time town councilwomen and former state rep, was unable to take part in the ceremony because of illness.

“Mary’s not feeling well,” DeVito said, “but the Mayor will make sure she’s sworn in when she’s better. And we’re looking forward to that. She has been an integral part of the Manton Seniors longer than any of us.”

Cerra is the Manton Seniors recording secretary, who Polisena touted “for her long and dedicated service to not only the Manor Seniors but as one of the most beloved citizens of our great town.”