The decision was unanimous.
Julie Carasone was elected Genesee County Conservative Party Chairperson on Saturday morning at the Old County Court House in Batavia. She will assume the role in September.
Carasone says she is honored to hold the position, taking over from the Genesee County Conservative Party founder Arthur Munger, who along with his father and others started the party in 1972. Munger served as Chairperson from 1972-80, and then again from 1988-2020.
“He will be a hard act to follow, as he is one of founders of our group and a wealth of knowledge. I have learned so much through Art, John Roach and Bob Lovria . I am thankful that they trust me enough to be able to move our committee forward”
There are a little over 950 registered Conservatives in Genesee County, 164 in the City of Batavia according to Vice Chair John Roach.
Carasone credits her Babcia, her Polish grandmother, Delores Bolas, for steering her in the conservative direction.
Carasone says she was a scrappy lady who worked hard, didn’t go past high school, but was the smartest woman. She worked for a local attorney doing paperwork and was very proud of her three sons and living in Corfu.
“I miss her so much, she always said less government growing up,” says Carasone.
“Keep the government out of your business, I grew up hearing that, that is probably why I am conservative. I think she would be very proud that I am the first woman Chairperson. She would be smiling down saying, “That’s my girl.” She would be very proud of everything that I have overcome, cancer, being a single mother, working very hard, I’ve been in that position where I didn’t have a dollar to my name.”
Carasone’s goal is to build up the Conservative Party of Genesee County.
“We have a lot of great ideas on how we can help make Genesee County move forward. Our goal is to work with local and county governments. My background is in marketing and sales. I know social media is used a lot to get the word out, so we have a Facebook page now. We will start using that more effectively and let people know what the Conservative Party is, what we think and what we do.”
Link to the Genesee County Conservative Party
https://www.facebook.com/groups/646959168829918/
Newly elected Vice Chair John Roach says the group is looking to attract some younger members and create new ideas.
“A number of us thought that we needed a change, too many of us are set in our ways and we need some new ideas and some new faces,” says Roach.
The group is also getting older.
“We’ve seen too many local committees over the years, the same people stay forever and eventually they disappear, we don’t want that to happen. We’ve picked Julie who is extremely active and is certainly younger than the rest of us.”
Munger says the group needs younger committee people.
“There are more younger conservatives out there than you realize, They exist, but they don’t know we exist,” says Munger.
As far as why it has taken so long for a woman to become Chairperson?
“We have had females on the executive board in the past, because being chair is a lot of work, for whatever reason they didn’t want to do it. Its not really important to be a female, the important thing is she is younger, she is enthusiastic, she has newer ideas. The idea that she is female was not a consideration,” says Roach.
“The other qualifications are more important,” says Munger.
Carasone was Secretary for the group the past few years. The position is now open . If anyone is interested contact Julie Carasone at jcarasone2001@gmail.com
Or you can contact the group by mail, address listed below.
The Genesee County Conservative Party
PO Box 1686
Batavia, New York 14021-686
Officers: As of July 11, 2020
Chairperson: -Julie Carasone
Vice Chairperson: John Roach
Treasurer: Robert Lovria
Secretary- position open, contact Julie Carasone if you are interested in serving.
Media requests should be sent to: jcarasone2001@gmail.com