If you didn't know that Cheektowaga is the epicenter of Democratic activity and the premise thart action speaks louder than words, then you might have a different opinion after witnessing Monday's monthly meeting of the Cheektiowaga Demoratic Town Committee.

Over 120 committeemen and local activists turned out for the high energy event, led by Town Chairman Frank Max. To open the meeting, County Clerk Kathy Hochul addressed the body, asking for support for her re-election bid and inciting the group to be proud of their Democratic roots, notwithstanding some of the recent depressing headlines about officials in public life.

Max then introduced several judicial hopefuls at the State and County levels, all who made presentations about their qualifications and their ambitions. Speaking were Catherine Nugent Panepinto, James McLeod, Henry Nowak, Betty Calvo Torres, Mark Montour and Eugene Fahey. Judge Nowak drove a strong point home when he spoke about sending a youthful offender to the holding center earlier that day. "Normally I wouldn't give that a passing thought, but in light of what's going on over there, I now pause and ask, 'will this person be safe?'"

John Glascott and his wife Lynn were also in attendance. Glascott received a loud round of applause when he told the assembled audience, "I'm not going away. We're going to hold those people responsible."

Representing Attorney General Andrew Cuomo was local activist and staffer John Maggiore, who made a detailed presentation about the political dynamics going on in Albany. Maggiore made no specific reference to Cuomo's expected run for Governor, but Chairman Max indicated that he is working with Cuomo's team to set up a regional headquarters in Cheektowaga.

Also looking at Cheektowaga as a regional base is Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. "The Senator and I have had numerous conversations as recently as this past weekend, and she understands how important Cheektowaga and our Democratic base is in securing her success here in this part of the state. We look forward to inviting her and having her in attendance at one of our functions this year," said Max.

Closing the meeting was Lynn Marinelli, Erie County Legislator from Tonawanda, and "a good friend of Cheektowaga", as she has always received a warm welcome from her supporters there. She updated the group about the recent activities at the hands of the "reform coalition" at the legislature, the recently approved downsizing initiative which might bring the legislature down to 11 members if approved by the voters, and offered advice regarding how to protect Cheektowaga's interests in the next redrawing of the district boundaries.

Motions were also made, and unanimously adopted, recommending Kathy Hochul for re-election as County Clerk, and Judges Gene Fahey and Kevin Dillon to re-election to the State Supreme Court.

"It was an epic meeting," reported Chairman Frank Max. "We have no shortage of interest in terms of new committeemen who we plan to slot in to our roster the next cycle. We will be hitting the streets this summer and fall here in Cheektowaga with an army of volunteers and activitsts, to bring out our sizable Democratic demographic on behalf of our state and local slates. If you are running for office at any level, where else but Cheektowaga would you rather want to be?"