Early voting is underway: what makes me the best person for the job?

Early voting is underway, and I’m appreciative of the support I’ve been receiving this campaign cycle. To those who have voted for me, or plan to, thank you!

Recently, this question was posed to me: as in any job interview, 10th District residents would like to know what makes you the best person for the position of County Legislator?

The answer is simple. I’m all in – I just love giving back to our community. I’ve brought my background as a longtime village Mayor to the role of Legislator, and it’s paying off. I know the importance of connecting residents with programs and services and of having a strong work force to support them. I have extensive experience reviewing and modifying municipal budgets, and know the importance of working with all levels of government and political parties because collaboration is how thing get done, and when they do, residents win.

I’ve already secured millions of dollars of your tax money for reinvestment in our district – including funding for upgraded/new infrastructure, our roads, senior centers, our businesses, and our homeowners:

• $11,000,000 for improvements to the county’s Meadowbrook-Limestone Wastewater Treatment Plant – a direct result of hearing the concerns of neighbors
• $1,000,000+ to help small businesses with exterior improvements and to support our senior centers
• Over $20,000 for the Village of Minoa to study the Green Bridge and determine what steps we can take now to ensure it remains a safe asset for the community, and aesthetically pleasing for all who see it
• $20,000 for a drainage study and vibration monitoring in our district (working with Manlius Town Councilors)
• $20,000 to help Kirkville FD purchase a new station sign
• Help for homeowners through a real property tax rate reduction – 39% since I took office

Sharing the good news of all we’ve been doing is something I take pride in. I actively use social media to do this, and I regularly attend Town and village board meetings to share updates. Most importantly, I am consistently present at community events and available to talk with constituents, hear their concerns and answer their questions – because I work for them.

Thanks to a resolution I co-sponsored, the Legislature now live streams all Sessions and committee meetings on its YouTube page, making it easy for the public to attend, listen, and observe as we deliberate and make policy decisions.

In our community, I’ve been with the Fayetteville Fire Department since I was 14 years old. I serve on the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council Planning Committee, the Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District Board, the Criminal Justice Advisory Board, the Stop DWI Advisory Board, and the board at the Samaritan Center. I’m a former member of the F-M Little League board. I am an usher at Immaculate Conception, and also volunteer at the church to deliver donated food to the Catholic Charities food pantry three times a year.

The bottom line – I was born in Fayetteville and this community is who I am. I appreciate the support of so many over the years. By all of us working together and collaborating – our community moves forward, our lives are the best they can be, and our future looks bright.