Buckingham Props. and Pierce Ind. honor veterans

Most stories about landlord-tenant relationships concern complaints, arguments, rising costs and a multitude of lawsuits. Not so at the Paul Rd. Business Center. Buckingham Properties, landlord/property manager of Paul Rd. Business Center, 465 Paul Rd. in Chili; and Pierce Industries, a tenant at the center, have partnered to resurrect the use of the flagpole on the property. In honor of all veterans who have served, and those who continue to serve our nation, a new flag was raised and flown day and night commencing with a flag-raising ceremony held on June 13, the day before Flag Day. No one seems to remember the last time a flag flew at what formerly was the Bausch & Lomb Frame Center, but Dick Webb, CEO of Pierce Industries and a member of the Rochester Regional Veterans Business Council, felt that the time had come. Webb asked Marc Goldfischer, Buckingham's marketing coordinator who was producing a TV commercial at the site, if he would run the idea, including night-time illumination, past Buckingham CEO Larry Glazer. After having his facilities personnel check the existing conditions, Glazer gave the go ahead for contractor Finnigan Electric to extend an existing underground electric service to the flagpole as well as purchase and install the proper spotlights and timer. Buckingham will pick up the electric bill for the lighting. Pierce Industries purchased an 8' by 12' flag from the Flag Store, a retail operation run by the Veterans Outreach Center, and installed a new rope and locking mechanism on the pole as well as care for the flag. Two Pierce employees, one a Vietnam War veteran, the other a veteran of the war in Iraq, raised the flag. Five year old Tessa Schopinsky, daughter of Pierce's president, Rick Schopinsky, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Marisa DeMario, wife of Pierce employee Ed DeMario, sang the National Anthem accompanied by Taylor Freitas, a trumpet player from the Gates-Chili High School Marching Band. Glazer and Webb spoke at the event as well as David Dunning, supervisor, town of Chili; Ellen Warren, VP of Development and Public Relations, Veterans Outreach Center; NYS senator Joe Robach and NYS assembly member Susan John.