theLAKER | 23 Alumnus Thomas Lyon ’04 began a four-year term as the new mayor of the city of Canandaigua in January, following five years as a city council member. He was joined by fellow alumnus, J.T. Squires ’11, who was elected to a four-year term as councilmember-at-large. In that role, he represents the entire city, rather than a specific ward. More about Tom A fourth-generation Canandaiguan, Tom studied humanities at FLCC. “This experience was foundational in working with fellow students from different backgrounds and life experiences,” he said. He earned a bachelor’s degree in American studies and a master’s degree in urban planning from the University at Buffalo. He works for Ontario County as a senior planner. Tom’s top issues are environmental sustainability, including clean energy; business recruitment and retention; and modernizing zoning to promote walkability. He and his wife, Danielle, have a 10-year-old mastiff. “I am an active runner and can often be found running with Peacemaker Run Club or Reinvented Runners. In my downtime, I enjoy board games, and I am learning to play chess.” More about J.T. J.T. is also a native Canandaiguan and earned an associate degree in communications at FLCC and a bachelor’s degree at SUNY Delhi. He returned to FLCC to take some culinary arts classes between 2018 and 2020, and he has pitched in with the Vintners and Valentines fundraising dinner and 10-course Italian dinner. He currently works as the housing operations coordinator for the FLCC Association and as a professional tutor. After serving on the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals for two years, he decided to enter the council race. “Issues that matter most to me include affordability, environmental challenges, and maintaining strong, open communication between city leadership and residents,” he said. In his first month on the council, J.T. started a discussion on how to make utility payments more manageable for city residents. He learned there were no easy answers to his questions, but at a February meeting fellow Councilmember Michael Mills pledged to help tackle them. “I commend you,” he said to J.T., “for being new on council and jumping in on affordability.” Mayor Thomas Lyon ’04 poses with a new gavel that Ryan Wilmer ’19, chair of the Canandaigua City Democratic Committee, gave him at his swearing in. PHOTOS BY PETER BLACKWOOD FLCC President Robert Nye administers the oath of office to Eric Perryman Jr. ’24, the College’s newest campus police officer, in January. Eric has an associate degree in criminal justice. In 2025, he graduated from the Finger Lakes Law Enforcement Academy, which has been based at FLCC since 2023. Eric gained experience at the Yates County Sheriff’s Office, Canandaigua Police Department, and Front Line Security before joining the College. PHOTO BY JAYLEA RANSOM J.T. Squires ’11 joined the Canandaigua City Council in January 2026. Environment, affordability top issues for alumni on city council Alumnus joins Campus Police
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