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Celebrity chef Anne Burrell, Caz native, dies at 55 BY KATE HILL STAFF WRITER
On June 17, Anne Burrell, a Cazenovia-born chef and television personality, passed away in Brooklyn at the age of 55. While reports from the New York City Fire Department suggest she may have suffered cardiac arrest, the official cause of death was pending an autopsy with the chief medical examiner’s office as of June 19. “Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,” her family said in a statement obtained by People.com. “Anne’s light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.” Born on Sept. 21, 1969, Burrell grew up in Cazenovia, where her mother, Marlene Burrell, ran Flowers on Main Street in the village. Burrell discovered her interest in cooking in Marlene’s kitchen. “Anne was able to use my kitchen from the time she was about three years old, and she was always interested,” Marlene told the Cazenovia Republican in
2020. “She watched Julia Child regularly from the time she was probably four years old. . . . When she first started cooking on the TV programs, she would always say ‘My favorite thing my mom cooks for me is a tuna fish sandwich.’ . . . She has far surpassed anything I knew how to do as far as the ingredients she uses and the things she makes. She has always said that I’m a good cook, but it’s not the same kind of cooking that she does.” Burrell earned a degree in English and communications at Canisius College in Buffalo before attending the Culinary Institute of America. She also studied at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners in Asti in the Piedmont region. After cooking in some of New York City’s top restaurants, including Felidia under Lidia Bastianich and Savoy in SoHo, Burrell made her television debut as one of Mario Batali’s sous chefs in the “Iron Chef America” series. Known for her signature spiky platinum hair, vibrant personality, and culinary expertise, Burrell became a staple on the Food Network. According to a biography provided by the network, she starred in “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,”
SUBMITTED photo
Anne Burrell, a chef and TV personality born and raised in Cazenovia, has died at the age of 55. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Burrell spent time in her mother’s kitchen in Cazenovia, cooking for her family, filming segments for national television, and creating cooking videos and recipes to post on social media. which aired for nine seasons. She competed on “Iron Chef America” and “House of Knives,” won “Chopped All-Stars” in
2015, and served as a judge on “Chef Wanted.” As a host, she led “Vegas Chef Prizefight” and “Worst Cooks in America,” one
of the network’s most successful series. She also appeared on “Beat Bobby Flay,” “Food Network Burrell l Page 12
Village election results announced Voters approve school Wheeler and Bell re-elected, Macheda to join village board district’s revised budget 75.81% vote ‘Yes’ BY KATE HILL STAFF WRITER
Cindy Bell
Richard Macheda
Kurt Wheeler
BY KATE HILL STAFF WRITER
“Thank you to all of you who took time to vote today and to everyone who actively participated in the campaign by putting out a sign, writing a letter, calling a neighbor, or encouraging someone to vote,” Wheeler said on June 18. “I look forward to continuing my work with Cindy and know that Rick will be an outstanding addition to our board. Today’s vote is a clear endorsement of experienced, pragmatic leadership and the value our citizens place on public service.” In the race for village trustee, Bell received 556 votes, Macheda received 422, and the third candidate, Thomas Guiler (Democratic), received 368. Bell was first elected to the village board in June 2021 and has served as public works commissioner and court liaison. “It was an honor to be reelected as a village trustee,” said Bell. “Thank you to all who took the time to vote. I look forward
to continuing to work with the village and its residents and continuing to keep Cazenovia one of the best places to live in Central New York.” Macheda will take the seat of Thomas Tait, who decided to step down from his position as trustee/ deputy mayor after serving on the board since June 2023. He was the village tree commissioner and the parks and recreation commissioner. “I am deeply honored to have been elected as a village trustee for Cazenovia,” said Macheda. “I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who supported me throughout this campaign and to all who took the time to vote. I would also like to thank the other candidates who stepped forward to run. It takes dedication and a true commitment to our community to put your name on the ballot, and I respect and appreciate your willingness to serve. It is Village l Page 5
On June 17, voters in the Village of Cazenovia re-elected Mayor Kurt Wheeler (Republican/Public Service) and Trustee Cindy Bell (Democratic/Strong Community). They also elected Richard Macheda (Republican/ Protect Caz) to the board of trustees. According to the official results reported by the Madison County Board of Elections, Wheeler defeated Jen Marotto Lutter (Caz Forward) by a vote of 500 to 294. Lutter was elected to the village board of trustees in June 2024. Wheeler was elected as a village trustee in 2005, serving as commissioner of streets and sidewalks and chairman of the comprehensive plan committee and zoning revision committee. He later became deputy mayor and was elected mayor in 2011.
On June 17, voters in the Cazenovia Central School District (CCSD) approved a revised proposed budget of $39,617,418 for the 2025-26 school year. The budget calls for a tax levy increase at the district’s calculated tax levy limit of 3.14 percent. According to a June 17 message on the district website, the proposal was approved by a vote of 1,670 to 533, passing with 75.81 percent “yes” votes. Voters rejected CCSD’s original $40,446,980 expenditure budget proposal on May 20. The plan included a 6.77 percent tax levy increase. Because the proposed tax levy increase exceeded CCSD’s calculated tax levy limit, the budget required approval by a supermajority of voters — 60 percent or more — to pass; however, only 52.7 percent voted in favor of the original proposal. The revised budget proposal required only a simple majority vote — 50 percent plus one — for authorization. “We are immensely grateful for the overwhelming support shown at the polls, especially after the challenges of the initial vote.” Superintendent Chris DiFulvio said in the district message. “This renewed vote of con-
Volume 215, Number 26 The Cazenovia Republican is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 35 Albany St., Second Floor, Cazenovia, NY 13035. Pe r i o d i ca l Po sta ge Pa i d at Cazenovia, NY 13035, USPS 095-260. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Cazenovia Republican, 2501 James St., Suite 108, Syracuse, NY 13206.
sports: Caz athletic department presents Senior Athlete Awards Night.
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events: Cazenovia Pride Fest returns June 28.
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fidence allows us to eagerly look forward and focus on the students and what we can put in place for the coming year.” According to the message, the approved budget includes a $100,000 Capital Outlay Project involving facility improvements such as gym floor refinishing or door hardening for security purposes. The budget also allows for necessary equipment purchases, student supplies, new buses, and the continuation of office equipment rentals. “We appreciate everyone who took the time to vote and recognize that this outcome reflects the community’s commitment to its schools and its students’ futures,” DiFulvio said. “We look forward to continuing our mission of providing an exceptional educational experience for all.” CCSD Board of Education meetings are open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend. Meeting dates are listed on the district website and the school calendar. For more information, visit cazenoviacsd.com/board. To contact the entire board, email boe@ caz.cnyric.org. Anyone not directly affiliated with CCSD can sign up for the ParentSquare Community Group to receive newsletters and other information. Sign up at parentsquare.com/community_signups/94dc9c19-0570-4ecdbd7a-868cb499bc46/new.
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