The Fenner town election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, will offer an uncontested race for town supervisor and a contested race for town board. In the latter race, six candidates — including one incumbent — are seeking to fill two seats. Also running unopposed this year are incumbents Paula Douglas for town clerk, Sharon Larkin for tax collector and Dan Smith for highway superintendent.
The Cazenovia Republican sent questionnaires out to each of the town election candidates last week to help town residents understand who is running and where they stand on the issues. Below are profiles of the candidates based on their responses to our questions, beginning current Supervisor Dave Jones, who is running uncontested for reelection, and followed by the six candidates for town board, listed in alphabetical order.
Town supervisor
Dave Jones
Position seeking:
Town of Fenner Supervisor
Political Party:
Running on Republican and Reform party lines
Address and family members:
Nelson Road, Cazenovia
Wife: Lynne; two sons: Brian, who resides in Clarkston, Michigan with his wife and two children. Eric who resides in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with his wife.
Education and occupation:
graduated from Cazenovia High School and Morrisville State College with a degree in Animal Husbandry. I have lived on the family farm for my whole life. I started my own dairy herd at 18 and combined my herd with my father’s at 20. At this time, I entered into a partnership with my father. When he retired my brother came into the partnership. We sold our cows in 2013 and raised crops. I am now semi-retired and grow hay and oats to sell. I also do some custom field work. My wife and I have a farm stand where we grow and sell sweet corn, pumpkins and some vegetables.
I have also been the Supervisor for the Town of Fenner for the last two years.
Political and community experience:
I was on the Fenner Town Board for 24 years until I was elected Supervisor. I was Deputy Supervisor for the last 12 years that I was on the Town Board. I was previously president of the Madison County Young Farmers group; a member of the Madison County Dairy Herd Improvement Association board of directors and president; Madison County Genex Cooperative Board of Directors; and am currently on the board of directors for the Madison County Cornell Coperative Extension as a representative of the Madison County Board of Supervisors.
Why are you running for town board?
I have enjoyed serving and working with the residents of the Town of Fenner first as a town board member and now as the Supervisor and would like to continue serving the Town of Fenner residents and representing them at the County level.
What do you see as the major issues facing the town and how will you seek to address them during the upcoming four years of this office?
The Town Supervisor is a two year term. The major issues are taxes and to keep them affordable and still maintain the services that the Town of Fenner residents need. In this capacity, we are exploring partnering with the County on solar energy options.
What is your position on alternative forms of energy being explored within the town of Fenner, such as the windmill farm, solar energy and hydrofracking, and why?
I am for alternative forms of energy for the Town of Fenner. Fenner has 20 windmills, which are a source of income for the Town. The Town Board and I are looking at options to partner with Madison County for solar energy, which will help reduce energy costs in the future. As for hydrofracking, the State has addressed that issue with a ban on hydrofracking in New York.
Why should people vote for you?
I have lived in the Town of Fenner my whole life and have run a successful business in the Town for over 48 years. I believe that I have shown that I have the best interests of the Town by my years by serving on first the Town Board and as Supervisor for the last two years. I believe that by representing the Town of Fenner at the County level on the Board of Supervisors and the committees that I serve on at the County that I can continue to represent Fenner in the best way possible.
Other comments?
I have enjoyed working for the residents of the Town of Fenner and would like to represent them as their Supervisor for the next two years. I would appreciate their support on Election Day.
Town Board
Carl Snow
Position seeking
Town Board.
Political Party
Fenner Neighbors Party
Address and family members
South Road, Fenner.
My household includes my wife, Henri, Henri’s ‘migratory’ mother (a great baker!), and our four cats.
Education and occupation
I went to high school in Central Square, NY, where my parents had a farm. I spent some time in the Navy and Naval Reserves (that’s an education),and got an associates degree in Accounting. I’m now retired from New Process Gear.
Political and community experience
I have not yet held political office but have been very active in the NYS biathlon community as an Official and volunteer for over 30 years. A cross-country skier, I am now on the board of directors of the Winona Forest Recreational Association which holds events and promotes winter sports on Tug Hill.
Why are you running for town board?
My political involvement began in 2013 as a result of my participation in petitioning efforts to ban high volume hydrofracking in the Town. During that petition drive I met many townspeople who said that they did not feel that their interests were represented on the town board. When roughly half the town petitioned the board for a ban, the perceived lack of responsiveness was keenly felt. While the state’s ban may temporarily remove the need for a town ban, the interest in broadening the diversity of our local government is still as strong. I am running for town board because I wish to serve the town and promote an open exchange of ideas in a forum where all can contribute.
What do you see as the major issues facing the town and how will you seek to address them during the upcoming four years of this office?
The town faces issues common to many small rural communities: how to prosper by keeping our farming economy strong; making the most of our resources while protecting our land and water for future generations. We should welcome careful development and encourage agribusiness and energy efficiency. The town board can further these things by being open to discussion and welcoming of input and a positive exchange of ideas.
What is your position on alternative forms of energy being explored within the town of Fenner, such as the windmill farm, solar energy and hydrofracking, and why?
I am enthusiastic about alternative forms of energy and am proud of Fenner’s embrace of wind turbines and solar. I believe that the pursuit of alternatives to our traditional fossil fuels is a necessity for the future of our health and way of life. Hydrofracking is not an alternative form of energy, but a destructive means of prolonging our dependence on fossil fuels. Science shows that burning fossil fuels is contributing to alterations in our environment and weather that have the potential to interfere with crops, encourage new pests, and permanently change our lives in Fenner.
Why should people vote for you?
I would appreciate the voter’s support as I am committed to making Fenner the best place to live. I believe local issues concern members of all political parties and all occupations, people of all ages, and owners or renters. I have been around the town a number of times in the last 3 years talking to people, asking their views, sharing mine. I have attended many board meetings and expect to continue my involvement regardless. However, only by being a boardmember can I do the best job possible. Vote for me and I will serve YOU.
Phil Rose
Position seeking
Town of Fenner Board
Political Party
Fenner Neighbors Party
Address and family
Mutton Hill Rd, Cazenovia, NY 13035
Beth Broadway – spouse – president/CEO of InterFaithWorks – Syracuse
Brendan and Vanessa Rose (son and daughter)
Brendan is an architect and sculpture artist
Vanessa is married to Ken Keach and they have three children – both are public school teachers
Education and occupation
Master’s degree from Syracuse University
Underage drinking prevention specialist– Prevention Network in Syracuse – and private counselor for youth and adults.
Political and community experience
Founding member of the Fenner Neighbors Party – ran for town board two years ago with Carl Snow and Cindy Gavula – lost by very small margin. Spear-headed ban on hydro-fracking in Fenner and in New York state
Board of directors (secretary) Fenner Renewable Energy Education (FREE) Center promoting awareness of a healthy future with minimal use of oil, gas and nuclear power and relying on wind, sun, water and other safe sources of energy.
Facilitator – police/community dialogues in Syracuse
Working with several coalitions to pass legislation that will protect our youth from alcohol and drug abuse.
Why are you running for town board?
Currently the Fenner Town Board represents just one party and one perspective. This is not true democracy. Democracy is the healthy exchange of ideas. The character and makeup of our town has dramatically changed in the past 15 years. While we are a strong agricultural community, hundreds of new residents have moved into Fenner with additional concerns and interests. We need to look more broadly at the future of our town and plan accordingly. We have to support our farming community to grow and thrive while also addressing the interests of people who live here because of Fenner’s beauty and rural nature.
What are the major issues facing the town and how will you address them?
We need to update the town’s strategic plan to prepare for the future (e.g. the current comprehensive plan would allow hydro-fracking).
Jobs remain a critical issue for farming and other businesses. More and more people need advanced technology to operate businesses from their homes.
Our roads have become increasingly dangerous. Too many accidents or near accidents have occurred. Our main roads are filled with bikers, Amish buggies, farm equipment and large trucks in addition to regular cars and pick-ups. We need to work with the county to find a plan that addresses this situation.
We need to examine how our taxes are spent to best serve the needs of a growing population and our relationship with the owners of the wind turbines.
I propose we have regular Town Hall Meetings to discuss the pressing issues of our day and reach common ground on solutions.
What is your position on alternative forms of energy being explored within the town of Fenner, and why?
Renewable energy is the energy of the future. I am on the Board of Directors of the Fenner Renewable Energy Education (FREE) Center. After conducting a new three year strategic plan, the FREE center, will be working more closely with other renewable energy programs throughout Madison County to better educate the public about renewable energy.
After three years of investigations, New York banned hydro-fracking. Carl Snow and I, along with other wonderful people in Fenner, led the battle for this ban. We worked tirelessly with towns all around New York to secure this important decision and save our land for generations to come. We must remain vigilant to protect our water, air, and land.
Fenner is already a leader in renewable energy and we must build on this legacy and remain a leader in renewable energy.
Why should people vote for you?
Carl Snow and I, along with many other courageous people, took direct action to ban hydro-fracking. We didn’t just talk about it – we did something. We fought to preserve the beauty and the safety of Fenner. We worked hard to educate ourselves and our people and we were proven right. We will do the same for the many other issues that confront our town. We have a successful track record and now we want to be the voice of many, not just a few, with a of vision for the future, and with vitality to act for the future of our beautiful town.
Other comments?
Fenner has been our home for many years and will be for the rest of our lives. We will preserve, protect and promote its future. We will serve with integrity and courage.
Judy Cary
Position seeking
Fenner Town Board
Political Party
Democrat
Address and family
Milestrip Road – live with my husband Russ on our family farm
Education and occupation
Chittenango Schools, SUNY Cobleskill
Operations business analyst – Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Political and community experience
Madison County 4-H Leader
Madison County Cooperative Extension – board of directors
Fenner Renewable Energy Education (FREE) Center – board president
Why are you running for town board?
I have experience working with boards and community groups and I would offer an approach that is open to input from all community members of all ages, all backgrounds and all areas within the town. While we may be diverse, I believe that all who call the town of Fenner home do so because they love the rural lifestyle and want to preserve it as we grow, evolve and adopt change.
What are the major issues facing the town and how will you address them?
First, how to balance progress and change with preservation of our rural landscape and how to maximize services to town residents while containing costs. An open mind and a listening ear along with innovation will go a long way in directing the town in the coming years.
What is your position on alternative forms of energy being explored within the town of Fenner, and why?
Let me start by defining alternative forms of energy as forms of energy that do not involve fossil fuels. I support clean renewable energy exploration and smart development. I have served as the president of the Fenner Renewable Energy Education (FREE) Center for six years. It is our mission to promote and educate the public on the benefits of renewable energy. High volume hydraulic fracturing or “hydrofracking” as it is sometimes referred is a method of extracting oil or gas, both fossil fuels. Renewable energy development will allow us to preserve our environment and quality of life as we move forward with advances.
Why should people vote for you?
I not only come from a farming background and live on a family farm today; I earn a living off the farm and work closely with analyzing data to make common sense business decisions. I like people and will embrace the opportunity to listen and talk with town residents and keep their concerns and desires in mind while making critical business decisions collaborating to direct the future of the town.
Other comments?
I would be very honored to serve as a member of the town of Fenner Board and ask for your support and vote on Nov. 3.
William W. Wester
Position seeking
Fenner Town Board
Political Party
Republican
Address and family members
Moraine Road, Cazenovia
Married 47 years to my wife Sally Wester. Three grown children: William, Karen and Donald. We have lived at this address since May 1984.
Education and occupation
1965 graduate of Clinton Central Schools, 1967 graduate of SUNY Cobleskill majoring in animal husbantry.
From 1975 to 2015 I was employed by Dairy One. We provided management information to dairy farms about their individual cows plus overall herd information each month. I retired in March 201 after 40 years of work. I worked with most of the dairy farms in Fenner and most of Madison and Onondaga County.
Political and community experience
Fenner Town Board from 2000 to present; served on the joint recreation committee covering Fenner, Nelson, Cazenovia town and village for the last two years. I was a member of the Cazenovia United Methodist Church Board of Trustees for 18 years prior to going on the Fenner Town Board.
Why are you running for town board?
I’m running for reelection to the town board because I truly care about Fenner and its people. I really enjoy my job on the board. We were asked at a board meeting several years ago if we took our job as councilpeople seriously, and I quickly replied the town and village boards are probably the purest form of government. Any decisions that we make affects all of us equally in the town. We must live by our decisions just like any other resident. We don’t get on a plane after the meeting and fly away to a distant place and only come back for the monthly board meetings, we live here year-round.
What are the major issues facing the town and how will you address them?
I feel one of the major issues we face is as always, for a small town like Fenner, the highways. Where we live we can get up to 235 inches of snow which we got several years ago. We need our roads plowed often so our residents can get to work, shopping, school or whatever without worrying about getting stuck. The snow and ice also take their toll on the roads, thus making for costly repairs and repaving in the summer.
I also believe that we must continue to support, any way we can, our farms and farm business. These people are sincerely dedicated to furnishing plentiful, quality food.
They work long hours everyday. Some years they have little to show for it financially, but they continue on.
What is your position on alternative forms of energy being explored within the town of Fenner, and why?
In 2000 when I started being a board member, we voted to allow the Fenner Windfarm. We researched this project, weighing pros and cons of such a venture, knowing we had no chance of getting a major business development in Fenner because of our location in the countryside. This seemed like a good choice, I voted for this and have always supported it!
I like solar energy also and New York state does not allow hydrofracking.
Why should people vote for you?
I feel that the past 15 years that I have been on the town board has seen major changes and improvements to our town. I’m not the reason for this bit I’m glad I’ve been a small part of this.
We have cut the town tax rate from $7.33 to $4.20. Not many other towns in CNY can say this.
We have added another 10-wheel snowplow to our fleet, plus a smaller plow truck to facilitate getting the roads plowed easier and quicker.
Belanger and Freber roads are now year-round roads with oil and stone surfaces. We have done these things, while still cutting costs to our taxpayers.
These are the results that I’m proud to be a part of. I feel that Fenner is a beautiful and prosperous town and would appreciate your support by voting for me again.
Adam Pushlar
Position seeking
Fenner Town Board
Political Party
Republican Party
Address and family members
Buyea Road Cazenovia
Wife- Katy
Children- Chloe (10), Cooper (8), Kinley (20 months)
Education and occupation
Associate’s degree in agricultural engineering from SUNY Morrisville.
Occupation- Diesel mechanic and farmer
Political and community experience
This is my first attempt in politics as I have been building my business, starting my farm and starting my family.
Why are you running for town board?
I am running for town board because I think that it’s important for the council to consist of people who have heir life and career invested in the town of Fenner. I am focused on the future of Fenner.
What do you see as the major issues facing the town and how will you seek to address them?
I think some issues that need to be a priority at this time are keeping taxes low without sacrificing services to the town and improving the quality of the roads. I will seek to address these issues by helping to manage town spending and prioritizing where tax money should go.
What is your position on alternative forms of energy being explored within the town of Fenner, and why?
I believe that it’s important for Fenner to explore alternative forms of energy. We have already proved that Fenner is a successful area for wind energy. I think that it’s exciting to explore other forms as well. Alternate forms of energy are the future. We can’t rely on fossil fuels forever, that’s not realistic or cost effective. When we bring alternate energy to Fenner, it benefits the land owners involved and maybe someday it will benefit the whole town.
As far as hydro fracking, it was recently banned in New York so this isn’t an issue for now.
Why should people vote for you?
I think that Fenner residents should vote for me for many reasons. First, I have a life long connection with Fenner. My family has owned farm land in Fenner for 70 years and I’m a third generation farmer. My wife Katy and I bought our farm in Fenner and rent an additional several hundred acres of Fenner land to utilize for agriculture.
Second, Katy and I are raising our three children in Fenner as well as operating our dairy farm. It is important to me to protect the town for our future and the future of my children and the future of agriculture.
Also, I believe with my business background I would be a asset to the town.
Other comments?
It is important that my fellow Fenner residents, friends and neighbors know that I have their best interests at heart as well. Their opinions and concerns matter to me and I will be there to be their voice. I have an open door (or phone, email policy) to communicate with the townspeople.
Tracy Carman
Position seeking
Fenner Town Board
Political Party
Democrat
Address and family
3233 Moraine Rd.
Education and occupation
I have a master’s degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University. I am currently employed as communications director for Sen. David Valesky.
Political and community experience
I am a former board member of LiteracyCNY and the Syracuse Poster Project. While on the LiteracyCNY Board I served as chair of the External Communications Committee and chair of the planning committee for ScrabbleMania, the group’s major annual fundraiser. I am currently a member of the FREE (Fenner Renewable Energy Education) Center Board of Directors. I have no prior experience seeking political office.
Why are you running for town board?
I am a long-time advocate for farmers and community supported agriculture. I want to ensure that our local farmers have all the resources they need to continue farming and to grow their livelihoods. In addition, with the growth of county-wide agri-tourism opportunities, I’d like to see that Fenner is able to tap into and take advantage of those opportunities.
What do you see as the major issues facing the town and how will you seek to address them?
Fenner’s tax rate has gone down every year since 2004. At the last board meeting, it was announced that the rate would be going up. I’d like to address any budget issues that prevent the tax rate from continuing to go down. Also, the town needs a long-term plan for road maintenance. With the election of a new town highway superintendent, the timing is right to work together on a strategic plan.
What is your position on alternative forms of energy being explored within the town of Fenner, and why?
As a member of the FREE Center, I support exploration of alternative energies and actively work to educate the public about those options. The FREE Center also will soon have solar panels installed to provide electricity for the new building on the site. I think alternative, renewable energy sources offer a means to protect Fenner’s beauty and its farmland for future generations.
Why should people vote for you?
I regularly attend the town board meetings, so I am familiar with the issues and business of the town. I have also worked as a journalist reporting on town board activities, which is when my interest in local government began. My combined experience in reporting on open government issues, knowledge of local issues and community service allows me to offer Fenner residents a unique perspective that no other candidate has.
