Meet The Board
Mayor Gary Penders
I was born in 1947 and have lived here all my life. A true Spencerport resident. Graduated from Spencerport Schools in 1965. My career started at Rochester Telephone doing line work. Following my retirement from Rochester Telephone in 1997 I went to work at the Village DPW, and then retired from Spencerport Municipal Electric after 15 years.
After retiring from the Village, I became a Village Trustee and then ran for Mayor. I have always had the Village of Spencerport and its residents in my heart. All my friends are Village people. In my Mayors capacity I have served as President of the Monroe County Association of Mayors, serve on the operation practice board for the Monroe County 911 Center and represent the County Village Mayors on the Monroe County Fire Advisory Board.
In addition to my civic service, I am a life member of the Spencerport Fire Department and have served as Fire Chief, a Union Steward for the line crew local 1170 CWA at Rochester Telephone. Participated and coached the Red Onion fire department drill team, life member of New York State Drill Team Captains Association. Served on the rules committee for that organization. Was president of the Monroe County Fire Chiefs Association.
Will always be a loyal Spencerport resident to the end. It is a total honor to serve the Village and I am proud to represent all Village residents where ever I go!
Deputy Mayor Carol Nellis-Ewell
Committee Chairman:
- Planning / Zoning / Building Control (Code Review, Architectural Review, Comprehensive Plan)
- Green Initiatives
Committee Member:
- Administration
- Emergency Preparedness, Town of Ogden
- Finance (Insurance); Human Resources / Benefits
Liaison:
- Architectural Review/Planning Boards & Zoning Board of Appeals
- Spencerport Central School District Budget Focus Group
- Spencerport Trolley Depot/Museum & Visitors Center Board
- 9/11 Commemoration
Completed projects:
- Comprehensive & Sustainability Plans
- Helpful Hints for Businesses
- Clean Energy Communities
- Healthy Community (No Smoking/No Vaping on Village Property)
Experience:
- Village Planning Board, 12 years
- Spencerport Eastern Corridor Study (East Avenue)
- Waterfront Advisory, Website Redesign Committees
- Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, Sustainability Work Group
- SAHARO Board of Directors
- Ogden Senior Center, President
- Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Chair: Economic Development & Public Relations / Website
- Aurora House of Western New York, Vice President, 2006-2011
- Kiwanis Club of Spencerport
- Local business owner, Afrikamba, Curios…, Spencer’s Landing est. 1994
- Partner in “For Africa’s Sake” charitable and cultural projects
- Eastman Kodak Company, Customer Service & IT/Purchasing, retired
- Freelance writer
- Spencerport resident since 1986
Trustee Charles R. Hopson
Village Trustee: 16 Years
Liaison: Facilities Committee
Village Resident since 1970
Employment Record
- 2015-2020 – Doan Dealerships (Part-Time)
- 2008-2019 – Town of Ogden Parks (Part-Time)
- 1975 – 2007 – Hopson Automotive (Owner/Operator)
- 1965-1970 – Eastman Kodak (Accounting Department)
- 1962-1964 – US Naval Reserve Seabees
Personal
Married to Carol Elliott Hopson for 56 years. 3 sons Stephen, Ryan & Nocholas. Ryan and Christy gave us two granddaughters: Julia and Alison Hopson. We lost our son Nicholas in 2018, he is father to our grandson Dylan A. Hopson.
Trustee Steve Cusenz
I’ve been a Village resident for 35 years and in my current home for 30 years. I’m a proud Life Member of the Spencerport Volunteer Firemen’s Association, serving as the Secretary for the Board of Directors for the last 22 years.
I quickly accepted the invitation to join the Village Planning Board, where I served for a year before running for Village Trustee. I’m proud of our Village and our community. Spencerport truly is someplace special, filled with residents that support one another and the businesses in our community.
My life has been committed to public safety since a young age when I volunteered with Gates Volunteer Ambulance, as a dispatcher and one of their first Advanced Life Support providers, certified for nearly 20 years. I began my nearly 36 year career with the City of Rochester Emergency Communications Department (911 Center) in July 1984, retiring as the Executive Deputy Director in February 2020. Most recently I began a career in sales as I found myself with too much spare time!
Trustee Ray Kuntz
I left high school to begin a career in manufacturing, starting at Fanny Farmer’s Candy Factory. Later I moved to Pfaudler’s Factory.
1966 I was drafted into the Army. Served 15 ½ months in S. Korea in a Maximum-Security Area that required a Secret Clearance.
After being honorably discharged I joined the Local 435 Laborer’s Union. Most of my years in the field were supervisory positions on various projects including RT 390 which parts were originally RT 47, worked widening portions of W. Ridge Rd, widened Elmgrove Rd. & larger bridge over the canal, rebuilding Van Lare Treatment Plant, moved the Henrietta Thruway Toll Booth to its present location, 8 years in the Rochester Tunnel Projects, & couple small jobs.
After many years in the field, I was appointed the Union Secretary Treasurer & Business Agent, managing financial records, assisting members, consistently passed surprise audits without any issues. Alongside my Union work I enjoyed a couple side jobs, snow plowing and bartending.
In 1975 my family moved into the Spencerport School District, where our daughter graduated from high school. In 2011 we relocated to the Village of Spencerport to be closer to family. In 2014 I was elected as a Village Trustee.
In my capacity as Village Trustee, I am the chair and responsible for general oversight of the public works committee. This committee is responsible for future projects related to the streets, refuse, recycling and parks.
I volunteered on the Rochester AFL-CIO Labor Day Parade committee for 20 years. Helped organize some local charity events. Volunteered in some community organizations, including St. John’s Church and local schools. Over the years I received several awards for my service, including the “Mother Jones” award from the Rochester AFL-CIO Labor Council.
In retirement I enjoy spending time with family, including taking pictures of our two grandson’s sports activities, taking pictures on walks around our village and on the canal, like cruising in street rods, exercising and bowling. As of 2024 I proudly celebrate 56 years as a Union member.
Meeting Minutes
Meeting Minutes: In the interest of open government, Privilege of the Floor is available to the public at Village meetings. As a courtesy, to ensure scheduling on the Agenda, please contact the Village Office at 585-352-4771. Board meeting dates are the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 PM and the third Wednesday of every month at 4:30 PM.
Effective January 1, 2020 – all current agendas and minutes can be found on the Village Code page