Town of Wheatfield salutes outgoing peace officer

By Benjamin Joe

Wheatfield Constable John Bondi has left his post as a peace officer in Wheatfield to accept a position as an Amherst Police officer. He is also leaving the Niagara SPCA, where he served as an investigator of animal cruelty.

Bondi was a constable for approximately four years after taking the first peace officer training academy offered by Wheatfield. Starting Wednesday, he will enter the Erie County Police Academy.

Bondi said it has always been his dream to be a police officer since he was a boy in Lewiston.

Danial Guiher, department head of constables in Wheatfield, said, “He’s been a great asset for four years. We’re sad to see him go, but happy for him and for following his dream.”

Wheatfield Supervisor Don MacSwan read a letter into the minutes of Monday night’s regular business meeting, congratulating Bondi on his new employment.

“John has been with us at Town Board meetings for many, many years,” he said, in part. “On behalf of the town, I’d like to thank you for this service, and wish you success in your new role in Amherst.”

The Town Board agreed to hire three new part-time constables: Bradley Wilke, Jeffrey Lisandrelli and Jeremy Wilczek.

In other news

Wheatfield Assessor Kelli Coughlin said in her report to the Town Board that, while Gov. Kathy Hochul did sign into law that some 100% disabled veterans would be exempt from paying property tax in New York, there are several conditions.

“People are assuming if they’re 100% that they will not have to pay property tax. That is not so much the case,” she said.

Instead, the veteran must meet these conditions:

√ The veteran must have a qualifying condition under New York State Veterans’ Services Law defined as: post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma or be a discharged LGBT veteran with a discharge other than dishonorable or bad conduct.

√ Have a 100% disability rating with a permanent and total designation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

√ Have a total disability based on individual unemployability designation from the VA.

√ Qualify for the VA’s specially adapted housing grant.

Robert Cliffe

Services for former town supervisor Robert Cliffe will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Restoration Church, 504 Frankhauser Road, Buffalo. Cliffe died Tuesday, Dec. 30.

In an obituary with Rhoney Funeral Home, it noted Cliffe was born in Toronto on Jan. 27, 1950, the son of the late Bruce and Mary (Coulter) Cliffe. He moved to this area with his family as a child and later relocated to Champlain, where he became a naturalized citizen.

Upon graduation from Champlain Central, Cliffe attended the State University of Buffalo and remained in this area to build a life with his high school sweetheart, Andy.

He was a supervisor with Voss Manufacturing and later with Helmel Engineering. Cliffe served as Town of Wheatfield justice for over 16 years and as the town's supervisor for six years. 

He was a member of the Wheatfield Lions Club and attended Restoration Church. Cliffe also served as a former board member for the Wheatfield Blades, the Niagara Wheatfield Board of Education, and was the vice president of the Down Syndrome Parent Group of Western New York. He was a proud committee member of the Wheatfield Republicans and an executive committee member and zone leader for the Amherst Republicans. 

Cliffe is survived by his wife of 53 years, Andrea; his children: Ryan and Kyle Cliffe, Katerie (Brian) Breuer and Merrick Cady; and his three grandchildren: Emersyn, Kellyn and Brett. He is also survived by his siblings: J. Richard (Juliana) Cliffe and Joanne (Kieran) Gilroy.

Cliffe was 75 when he died.