In Van Buren, voters will elect a town supervisor, three town councilors, a highway superintendent and one town justice. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7. If you are unsure of your polling place, visit ongov.net/elections and click on “Polling Place”
or call the Onondaga County Board of Elections at (315) 435-8683.
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Highway superintendent (choose one)
Douglas Foster (Republican incumbent)
Biographical info:
My name is Doug Foster. I am 47 years old and was born and raised in Baldwinsville. I graduated from C.W. Baker High School in 1988 and then joined the United States Navy. After proudly serving my country I was anxious to return to Central New York where I met my lovely wife Carrie. We came back to Baldwinsville to raise our children Mary Kate and Ryan. We have been in our current home in Van Buren since 2003. I am finishing my sixth year as highway superintendent for the town of Van Buren. I am a registered Republican and have been endorsed by the Republican Party, the Independence Party and the Onondaga County Veterans’ Party.
Why are you running for office?
Baldwinsville was a great place to grow up and Carrie and I were fortunate to be able to raise our family here. Now I want to continue to help the community that has given so much to me and that is why I am running for reelection as highway superintendent for Van Buren. I look forward to continuing to work diligently to keep moving the highway department forward towards an efficient, responsible and hardworking unit.
Why are you the best candidate?
I believe I am the best candidate for several reasons. In the past six years, I have established a proven record of running the highway department in a fiscally responsible manner while maintaining a high level of service. The tax rate for the department has decreased every year that I have been in office. Prior to working for the town, I worked for Onondaga County DOT. While there I was able to broaden my background and increase my knowledge of road maintenance/repair, infrastructure and drainage. My skill set proven ability to get the job done, with one fewer employee due to attrition and willingness to work with residents, other municipalities and the town board make me a strong candidate for the office.
What are the major issues facing the town and what will you do to address them?
All towns in New York state will continue to face financial challenges in the future. New programs that place additional financial burdens on taxpayers need to be carefully evaluated and cannot be introduced solely by the highway superintendent. This town board has made it a priority for residents to continue to receive their property tax freeze credit checks, which are only issued when the town and school district stay below the 2 percent tax cap mandated by NYS. Working well with the town board is essential as the highway department budget is established by the board. I am proud of my proven ability to work with the town board in order to provide excellent service while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
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Todd McIntyre (Republican challenger)
Biographical info:
My name is Todd McIntyre and I am a Republican with the recommendation and endorsement of the Conservative party who seeks the election of highway superintendent for the town of Van Buren Highway Department. I have lived the majority of my 43 years in the town of Van Buren and recently had the pleasure of purchasing my childhood home, where I reside with my two boys. In my free time I enjoy attending SU sports, Baldwinsville football and am actively involved with coaching and supporting my children’s sports. I also have a passion for remodeling our home and helping others.
Why are you running for office?
I am running for office of highway superintendent to serve the town of Van Buren community in a way they deserve, in an honest, loyal, hardworking manner. Through my life both professionally and personally, I have been dedicated to serving this community. I want the town of Van Buren’s growing highway infrastructure to continue its growth into the future, with a positive, efficient and professional approach.
Why are you the best candidate?
Not only as a resident, but the Town of Van Buren Highway Department is where I’ve spent almost my entire career, so I can honestly say I’ve accumulated 18 years of experience exactly in this area to be the next highway superintendent. I know firsthand there is a need for change to a fresh vision to our future — together.
Not only my current employment in the highway department support my qualifications, but with more than 20 years in the Baldwinsville Volunteer Fire Department I have held elected positions from lieutenant to caption to battalion chief. During my time in the fire service I served on committees for purchase of fire equipment ranging from the smallest piece of equipment to the build of their fire station within the town of Van Buren.
My goal is to improve the line of communications between constituents and the highway department. I believe that continuous improvement in areas such as work place safety and shared services are necessary to our growth. I intend to create a positive work environment that can extend the quality of work from employees at the highway department into the town of Van Buren. Having effective budget ideas to not only meet established costs, but to meet the needs of today’s taxpayer. I believe efficiency is a key component to a successful service. I have many new ideas such as: park a truck program; roadside brush removal program; clean up of illegal roadside dumping and to find a solution; pursue more avenues for government’s assistance through grant programs.
What are the major issues facing the town, and what will you do to address them?
From my perspective many issues exist which range from hostile workplace, a breakdown of communication with taxpayers, lack of emphasis for employee safety programs and training, right to poor morale within the town highway department workforce. Improvements, I believe, begin at the top, sort of a trickle-down effect.
For example establishing work safety programs with annual refreshers, will help reduce costs associated with employee injury claims and employee absenteeism, as well as overall downtime of services. Implementing and allowing a line of communication between tax payers and the highway department will promote a positive relationship that will aid in addressing unforeseen roadway issues. Listen. Assess. Evaluate. Respond.
The town is growing and accommodations to support the growth are needed. With that come fresh ideas such as Park-a-Truck program. This program will work similar to that of other municipalities and will encourage and give resources to taxpayers in hopes to deter illegal dumping along our roadways. We’ve seen a growth in the interest of shared services between neighboring municipalities and I see that as a positive resource to the highway.
My goal is to bring an honest, hard-working, goal oriented approach back to the town of Van Buren Highway Department.
