Holcomb, previously a trustee for four years, was sworn in as village mayor during a ceremony Wednesday at the Lakewood Fire Department’s training grounds and club house. Ellen Barnes and Richard Fischer were also sworn in during the heavily attended ceremony.

Asked of his immediate goals for the village, the new mayor said, “Mending things that have seemed to change over the past four years. I’m a lifelong Lakewood resident and we need to get things back to the Caprino and Wordelmann regimes. I’m very open about that, and I’m going to say that a lot during our meetings.”

Holcomb referred to past mayors, Anthony Caprino and David Wordelmann, and the work they did for the village. He also praised Barnes and Fischer, both of whom he said have been great stalwarts for the community.

“It’s a good feeling for us for the next four years. We have a good solid majority,” Holcomb told The Post-Journal.

Randall Holcomb is sworn in as Lakewood mayor during a ceremony Wednesday afternoon. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

The village had been without a mayor since Cara Birrittieri announced her resignation in October 2018. Edward McCague, former deputy mayor, had been serving as acting mayor since Birrittieri’s departure.

Prior to serving as a trustee, Holcomb was assessor for the town of Busti for 33 years. He was Busti’s assessor clerk for five years prior to that.

Holcomb said area residents who wish to contact him can do so by sending an email to holcomb14750@gmail.com.

Barnes, meanwhile, is the longest serving trustee on the board. Appointed to fill a vacant trustee seat in June 2015 by then-Mayor Wordelmann, Barnes was elected to that seat to serve in November 2015.

Over the summer, Fischer announced he was seeking a spot on the board. He returned to the village after retiring from a 40-year career in accounting and sales with Jamestown Telephone Company/Alltel. He also served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.

Also recognized during Wednesday’s ceremony was Joe Johnson, the longtime village clerk who retired at the end of the year. Mary Currie has been elevated to serve as clerk, with Andrea Windoft appointed village treasurer.