Village Mayor: Lynne Ruda

Since her election to the position of Village Trustee four years ago Lynne Ruda has been a relentless advocate for village residents and a tireless leader for the redevelopment of the Central Business District.  Trustee Ruda spearheaded the presentations that led to the grant awards totaling almost nine million dollars that extended West Main Street, brought in new businesses, new development, and single handedly transformed the heart of the Village of Lancaster.  Together with Trustees Paul Maute and Joe Quinn, Lynne Ruda has proven herself to be the driving force behind lowering taxes, growing the Central Business District, all while maintaining a high level of service for village residents.

As a music teacher at Lancaster High School, Lynne Ruda has served as an inspiration for countless music students.  A 2004 graduate of Lancaster High School, Mrs. Ruda is both an accomplished educator and musician.  She conducts the school symphony and string orchestras, and the Greater Buffalo Youth String Orchestra.  A cellist, Mrs. Ruda earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Degrees in Music Education, along with the coveted Performer's Certificate, from the Fredonia School of Music.  As a member of Buffalo Musicians’ Association - Local 92, she performed in May 2019 on the Keybank Center stage with The Who.

However, there is no greater award or recognition that exemplifies her excellence as an educator and professional musician than Lynne's second Grammy nomination.  Each year the Grammys present an "Educator of the Year" award, which recognizes music teachers who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education.  The nominees must demonstrate a commitment to maintaining and promoting music education in the schools.  The entire Lancaster community is proud of our 2-time Grammy nominee.

Presently, Lynne is the only female member of the Lancaster Village Board and the fourth woman in the 172-year history of the village to serve on the Village Board.  As a Village Trustee, Lynne is an innovative and passionate leader.  Students frequently attend Village Board Meetings and witness firsthand Lynne's efforts on behalf of residents of the Village of Lancaster.  As a Village Trustee, Lynne has helped bring in almost nine million dollars in grant funding to the Village.  As Chairperson of the Village Economic Development Committee, she is leading the transformation of the Central Business District.  After many years of effort with few real results, Lynne is spearheading the change that is occurring in the Central Business District, while working to create a vibrant community center that is quickly becoming the center of life in the Village of Lancaster.  

She has created, edited, and published a quarterly newsletter that is mailed to all village households providing updated information and news about village government.  She initiated the "Spring Clean Up," bringing together various groups such as the Lancaster Garden Club, student leaders from Lancaster High School, as well as community volunteers to collaborate each May.  She has worked with Village Government, the Community Development Corporation, and Lancaster residents to form a Beautification Committee to ensure that the event continues to clean up village parks, plant flowers, and install hanging baskets and planters throughout the Village.  

Leading by example, Lynne is the first female interior firefighter and first female apparatus operator in the Eagle Hose Company in the Lancaster Fire Department.  She serves as the advisor to the First Responders Club at Lancaster High School, which works to expose students to the roles that first responders have in the community, and recruit more young people to serve their community.  

Lynne strongly believes in the importance of fostering a commitment to community service in her students.  She volunteers with Buffalo String Works to provide free instruments and lessons for refugee and immigrant students in the City of Buffalo.  Lynne encourages her students to share their talents by providing free lessons through the programming provided by Buffalo String Works, which allows her students to interact with younger students from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

From education, to firefighting, and through her community service, Lynne Ruda works tirelessly on behalf of her students and constituents.  Demonstrating her personal leadership through her efforts as an educator, elected official, and volunteer firefighter, Lynne is a role model for the Village that she loves.  www.mayorlynneruda.com