Meet the four candidates vying for two open seats
By Andrew Harris
A competitive election is just under two weeks away in the Wellsville Central School District, featuring four lifelong residents. Two current board members, veteran educator Steve Pettenati and businessman Shane Vogel are seating a new term. Former Wellsville Town Clerk Sylvia LaChance and businessman Joseph Hart are running to bring new faces and ideas to the board.
Meet the Incumbents
Shane Vogel
Wellsville has been my home for nearly 40 years.
I have enjoyed my time here and would like the
opportunity to contribute to our school system as a
member of the school board. I have spent the last 26
years running and owning businesses in our community.
During that time, whether through Pizza King, or while
coaching baseball, basketball and soccer, I have had the
opportunity to work directly with many of our youth. I
feel as though I have a good perspective and open mind
to work with our district members in the best interest
of our students, as well as the Wellsville community.
Steve Pettenati
I’m a longtime resident of Wellsville, a proud parent and grandparent, and a passionate advocate for public education. With a background in community engagement, experience as a school board member, and serving as the voting representative for the school board at the state level in New York — along with decades of volunteer work in local youth programs and the community — I believe in creating strong partnerships between families, schools, and the wider community. I’m running for the School Board to ensure every student has access to quality education and opportunities that prepare them for success in life. I want to support our educators, encourage transparency, and prioritize the well-being of all students. I believe that by listening to the voices of parents, teachers, and students, we can make informed decisions that reflect the values of our community.
Meet the Challengers
Sylvia LaChance
I have lived in Wellsville all my life and graduated
from Wellsville High in 1972, the year of the floood. I
am interested in serving on the Wellsville Board of
Education. I was Town Clerk for the Town of Wellsville
for 20 years, I feel that the knowledge that I learned
in those 20 years would be a great asset to the Board
of Education, teachers and students. I feel that every
child should be treated the same and given the same
opportunities as the next child. The decisions made on
the school board should benefit each child in the school
system and not treated as a business deal, we are not
here to sell a product, we are here to educate all children
starting with Pre-K all the way to grade 12.
Joseph Hart
Let me introduce myself, I’m Joe Hart, the youngest
child of Gerald and Mary Ellen Hart’s ten children.
Did I tell you I have an identical twin brother, Jon?
If you waive to me and I don’t waive back, there is a
good chance you just met him. I’m a lifelong resident
of Wellsville, third generation actually. I graduated
from Wellsville High School in the great class of 1987
and St. Bonaventure University in 1991. I served in
the US Army Corp of Engineers eventually leaving
six years later attaining the rank of Captain. My wife
Christy, and I raised our four children in Wellsville,
each graduating from Wellsville High School. I am
employed by Howden, as Regional Sales Manager in
the aftermarket division for Canada. I am dedicated to
the continued viability of the Wellsville schools and
want to ensure that the future of education in Wellsville
thrives. I believe in open, honest, respectable discourse,
and investigating all possibilities.
