(Kate Hill) CAZENOVIA — On Friday, Dec. 5, the Cazenovia community gathered downtown for the 48th Annual Cazenovia Christmas Walk and Village Tree Lighting. During the celebration, the Cazenovia Lions Club (CLC) recognized the Village of Cazenovia Police Department (CPD) for its many years of outs tanding service to the community. Organized by Caz Life, the Christmas Walk featured live performances, food offerings, horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa’s arrival, international Santas, a CazArts show and sale at Carpenter’s Barn, a photo opportunity with Santa at Community Bank, and other festive activities. Throughout the evening, the downtown shops were open, and non-profits lined Albany Street with treats. Before the village tree was lit, CLC President Mike Basla took the stage near the Presbyterian Church to present Chief of Police Michael Hayes with a plaque honoring the entire Cazenovia police force for its dedication, professionalism, and steadfast service to the community. Speaking on behalf of the CLC, Basla began his remarks by acknowledging Hayes’ law enforcement career, which he described as a reflection of the strength and character of the department he now leads. According to Basla, Hayes answered the call to serve — a calling he had felt since his youth — nearly 40 years ago, beginning as a jailor in Oneida County, then serving with both the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department and the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. In 1993, he joined the CPD as a part-time officer under Chief Young. By 2010, he had become chief. “Today, he has served this community for more than 30 years,” said Basla. “But tonight’s honor is not only about the chief’s impressive tenure; it is about the team he leads — a department that has achieved meaningful, tangible accomplishments that have made Cazenovia stronger and safer.” Basla stated that under Hayes’ leadership, the CPD became the first agency in New York to complete the National Grid Safety Training for First Responders, setting a standard for preparedness and professionalism that others now follow. He also highlighted the department’s investigation into the sale of illegal THC products at the Happy Mart convenience store on Albany Street. “When officers recognized that the Happy Mart convenience store was selling dangerous products — and when the state had not yet issued clear guidelines — the CPD worked with local and state agencies to ensure it was closed,” Basla said. “This action protected our residents, especially our young people, at a moment when no roadmap existed.” Additionally, Basla commented that 10 years ago, recognizing the need for stronger safety on the water, the CPD partnered with the Cazenovia Fire Department and the Cazenovia Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps to establish boat control on Cazenovia Lake, helping to keep that treasured resource safe for all to enjoy. “These accomplishments reflect a department that is proactive, observant, and willing to take initiative,” he said. “As Chief Hayes shared, his officers work hard, they know this community well, they love community service, and they refuse to lower their standards — even when understaffed. That commitment shows. Chief Hayes also emphasized something that speaks to the heart of this community: the strength of the partnerships in Cazenovia. Our many organizations — civic groups, first responders, schools, volunteers, and neighbors — work side-by-side to keep this village one of the safest and most welcoming places to live in New York. The CLC is honored to be one of those partners, and we are honored tonight to recognize a department that exemplifies service, integrity, and pride in community.” Basla concluded by extending his gratitude to every member of the CPD for all the work — seen and unseen — they do, their commitment, and the professionalism they bring to every call and interaction. One of over 49,000 Lions Clubs worldwide, the CLC has a simple mission: to serve the Cazenovia community. The club’s many contributions include sponsoring the Fourth of July fireworks display, organizing the Cazenovia Easter Egg Hunt, conducting vision screenings for local schoolchildren, running Student of the Month and scholarship programs at Cazenovia High School, and collecting, repurposing, and distributing eyeglasses. Public menorah lighting The Village of Cazenovia will add a new element to its holiday observances this year. On Dec. 14 at 6 p.m., community members will join Rabbi Yaakov Rapoport, head of Chabad-Lubavitch of Central New York, in lighting a Chanukah menorah near the Christmas tree in front of the First Presbyterian Church on Albany Street. There will be hot cider and chocolate Chanukah gelt for all after the ceremony. Everyone in the greater Cazenovia area community is invited to attend. The news was announced in a Dec. 5 press release from the Village of Cazenovia, which also provided the following overview of the menorah’s significance: “Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, commemorates hope, resilience, and the triumph of light over darkness. It is an eight-day Jewish holiday that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and religious freedom. Central to the holiday is the menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum, which adds one candle each night to symbolize hope, resilience, and faith. By placing menorahs in public spaces, Chabad-Lubavitch brings these universal values to everyone, making them symbols of religious freedom, community, and inclusion. Even for those who do not observe Chanukkah, the menorah is a symbol of the shared values that bring diverse people together during the darkest time of year. The public menorah tradition carries profound meaning, particularly in today’s world. Each of the eight lights commemorates the ancient miracle when one day’s worth of oil burned for eight days in the rededicated Holy Temple in Jerusalem. This happened after the Maccabees, a small group of Jewish citizens, prevailed against the larger Syrian-Greek army that had seized the Temple and forced Jews to worship Greek gods. Public displays serve multiple purposes. They provide a visible celebration of religious freedom, the very principle at the heart of the Chanukah story. They offer Jewish community members a point of pride and connection, especially in areas where the Jewish population may be small. And they share the holiday’s universal message of hope, resilience, and the triumph of light over darkness with people of all backgrounds. For residents of Cazenovia, lighting a menorah during Chanukah represents a connection to both an ancient miracle and a modern movement — one that affirms the value of publicly celebrating faith, heritage, and the timeless message that light will always overcome darkness.” To learn more about the CLC, visit e-clubhouse.org/sites/cazenovia/. For more information on the CPD, visit villageofcazenoviany.gov/police. Learn about upcoming Caz Life events at cazenovia.com. ...read more read less