Gates Lions choose Citizen of the Year

The Gates Lions Club announces that Frank Chennells is its 2002 Citizen of the Year.

Frank Chennells has been an active member of the Gates Chili Volunteer Fire Department for more than 68 years. In addition to being a firefighter, he served for many years as the financial secretary for the department. He still attends fire department meetings and most drills. For many years he was unable to fight fires due to age, so he washed the fire trucks, floors and firehouse bathrooms just to stay active in the organization.

Chennells is the only charter member of the Gates Fire Exempts, which he helped to organize in 1940. He served a combined 22 years on the Gates zoning and planning boards.

In 1922 he moved to Gates and in 1927 he helped Kenny Kemp organize and start the Gates Boy Scout Troop. He is currently an active member of the newly formed Gates Historical Society. He is also an active member of the Gates Senior Tuesday Club, where he arrives early each week to prepare coffee for the entire membership.

A testimonial dinner honoring Chennells is planned for Tuesday, April 23 at the Wishing Well Restaurant. For reservations, contact Al Colavecchia at 436-0090.