The Aurora Foundation is hoping that Alan Connors, the new manager of the Fargo Bar & Grill, will prove to local residents the foundation is committed to keeping the establishment in familiar hands.
"He could not be more local; he's been here forever, and he knows everyone," said Katie Waller, executive director for the Aurora Foundation, which manages Wells College's commercial interests.
"He's a highly-respected Aurora resident. We are confident he will manage Aurora's favorite gathering spot with the best interests of the villagers at heart."
The foundation named Connors to the position Tuesday. He lives on Cherry Street, around the corner from the Fargo. Connors will begin the new job June 1; the day after current Fargo manager James Orman's lease expires.
Wells College owns the building and has declined to renew Orman's lease, preferring to allow the foundation to manage the Fargo.
The foundation, started by Wells alumna and philanthropist Pleasant Rowland, also runs the Aurora Inn, PizzAurora and several other businesses in the village.
The decision did not sit well with many in the village, who said Rowland had too much influence already and was interfering with the operation of what has become a piece of the heart and soul of the community.
Connors and Waller both say there are no plans to change anything about the Fargo, including the employees.
Offers have been made to all of the staff to have them stay on.
Orman, 58, has announced a bid for Cayuga County treasurer.
He said he was forced out of the Fargo for a decision he's been told is in the college's best interest. He had no comment Tuesday about Connors' appointment.
Connors said he can imagine how Orman feels. One of the reasons Connors sought the position is because he's been out of work three times in the past five years.
"I applied for this position because I needed a job," Connors said. "I approached them because I thought it was a good opportunity. They wanted a local, and I'm a local."
Connors, 58, grew up in King Ferry and graduated from SUNY Cobleskill with a degree in food service.
He worked for a short time as the assistant manager of a restaurant on the state Thruway before going to work in manufacturing quality control. He has worked for Auburn Vacuum Forming Company and for TRW.
He and his wife, Carolyn, a 1974 graduate of Wells College, have lived in Aurora since 1978 and have two grown children. He is a former village board member and is chairman of the Aurorafest committee, a position he's held for the past three years.
He has served as coach of the Southern Cayuga Soccer Association since 1978 and is a former president of the organization.
Staff writer Louise Hoffman Broach can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or louise.hoffman@lee.net
"He's a highly-respected Aurora resident. We are confident he will manage Aurora's favorite gathering spot with the best interests of the villagers at heart."
The foundation named Connors to the position Tuesday. He lives on Cherry Street, around the corner from the Fargo. Connors will begin the new job June 1; the day after current Fargo manager James Orman's lease expires.
Wells College owns the building and has declined to renew Orman's lease, preferring to allow the foundation to manage the Fargo.
The foundation, started by Wells alumna and philanthropist Pleasant Rowland, also runs the Aurora Inn, PizzAurora and several other businesses in the village.
The decision did not sit well with many in the village, who said Rowland had too much influence already and was interfering with the operation of what has become a piece of the heart and soul of the community.
Connors and Waller both say there are no plans to change anything about the Fargo, including the employees.
Offers have been made to all of the staff to have them stay on.
Orman, 58, has announced a bid for Cayuga County treasurer.
He said he was forced out of the Fargo for a decision he's been told is in the college's best interest. He had no comment Tuesday about Connors' appointment.
Connors said he can imagine how Orman feels. One of the reasons Connors sought the position is because he's been out of work three times in the past five years.
"I applied for this position because I needed a job," Connors said. "I approached them because I thought it was a good opportunity. They wanted a local, and I'm a local."
Connors, 58, grew up in King Ferry and graduated from SUNY Cobleskill with a degree in food service.
He worked for a short time as the assistant manager of a restaurant on the state Thruway before going to work in manufacturing quality control. He has worked for Auburn Vacuum Forming Company and for TRW.
He and his wife, Carolyn, a 1974 graduate of Wells College, have lived in Aurora since 1978 and have two grown children. He is a former village board member and is chairman of the Aurorafest committee, a position he's held for the past three years.
He has served as coach of the Southern Cayuga Soccer Association since 1978 and is a former president of the organization.
Staff writer Louise Hoffman Broach can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or louise.hoffman@lee.net