Incumbent Barry Bullis is running against John Salisbury for town supervisor in the Lysander election. The Messenger recently questioned the candidates about how they will serve their constituents. Below are their responses:
Name: Barry W. Bullis
Address: 3429 Grey Birch Dr., Baldwinsville
Age: 60
Political affiliation: Republican (endorsed by the Conservative and Independence Party’s)
Professional experience: Construction management and administration
Political experience: Supervisor, town of Lysander – 1995 — present; Lysander Republican Committee 1972 to present (chairman 1982 – 1995)
Community involvement: Baldwinsville Kiwanis Club; (past and present involvemet): Pop Warner Football; Seneca River North Little League; Baldwinsville CSD Athletic Boosters; Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce; Baldwinsville Oktoberfest Committee Volunteer; Baldwinsville Marching Band Support Group – Past President; Baldwinsville Theater Guild; Cross Lake Seneca River Association; Northwest Neighbors Rural Preservation Co.; Baldwinsville Canal Corridor Initiative Committee; Member – First Presbyterian Church (past Youth Fellowship Advisor, Current Chairman – Budget & Finance Committee)
Family: Alyce, wife of 37 years, three married sons, Jonathan (Dawn), Aaron (Leslie) and Jason (Nicole), five grandchildren, Natalie, Sera, Braydon, Ryan and Ava Grace.
Why are you running?
I like the job and I still have a lot left to give. Even with the 12 and 14 hour days, I genuinely enjoy the job of supervisor. Mostly having the opportunity to be able to help people resolve problems and issues involving government or the services they receive from it. I was very happy to be able to help bring affordable public water to the Jack’s Reef area of the town in spite of opposition from the State Assembly. Advocating for the funding and construction of the Brundage Road Extension in 1996 making it possible for Anheuser-Busch to construct their rear truck entrance thereby removing countless numbers of heavy truck trips a day from the village of Baldwinsville, was one of my first experiences as to what could be accomplished in government with a diligent effort. Whether it’s a sewer backup, water main break, drainage issue, barking dog, finding funding for a canal trail or an agricultural protection program, being able to help solve problems and getting answers for people keeps every day interesting. I have always subscribed to the concept of “don’t tell me it can’t be done; tell me how I can do it.”
In your opinion, what is the number one issue facing residents?
In a single word taxes. The challenge of town government is to maintain the services and programs that residents want, and have come to expect, without raising taxes. Lysander is conceivably the most efficiently and cost effectively run town in Onondaga County. Due to our fiscally responsible policies our current town tax rate of $1.54 per $1,000 of assessed value is 26 cents less per $1,000 than it was four years ago and is currently the lowest of the 19 towns in Onondaga County. This is not to say that our spending has not gone up. With fuel, equipment and insurance all on the rise, the town’s cost of operation rises annually. We have been fortunate that our increase in tax base has kept up in proportion to our increased cost of doing business. The increase in total assessed value of the town can, in my opinion, be attributed to the fact that Lysander is a very desirable place to live. Developers want to develop here, builders want to build here and people want to live here. Supply and demand takes over and property values go up.
Other issues/problems?
Growth. From 1990 to 2000 Lysander grew 22 percent by population. Currently, Lysander continues to grow at double-digit rates. In response to residents concerns, the town has developed, and funded through a $1,000,000 grant from the NYS Department of Agricultural and Markets, a first of its kind agricultural protection program we call “Transfer of Development Rights” or TDR. Once enacted, this program will preserve the rural character of the fastest growing area of the town by controlling the development density pressures so prevalent in many other towns.
If re-elected, what goals do you hope to accomplish during your term?
To finalize and formally adopt the TDR program. To complete phase I of our Seneca River Trail project and secure similar outside funding for phases II and III. To construct phase I of the Dexter outlet drainage project and seek additional outside funding for future phases to enable remediation of the numerous drainage problems plaguing one of the town’s oldest sub-divisions. Helping residents of Lamson Road and Route 48 determine if sufficient community support is present to warrant construction of a public water distribution system. Securing grant monies to purchase and install an emergency stand-by generator for the Lysander town hall to enable designation as a Red Cross Emergency Shelter for use during a major power outage or natural disaster.
How do you feel about consolidation?
I think consolidation is the wave of the future as soon as all concerned will support it. Identity issues always seem to get in the way of meaningful cost saving ideas and proposals. Once this can be overcome, it will happen. Many small steps have already been taken. Lysander currently purchases many goods and services, such as fuel, road salt, paving materials, vehicles and other commodities off existing state and county contracts. We have successfully partnered with Onondaga County with the processing of property and school tax payments. Very soon we will be discussing other similar type “back room” support functions such as data entry and postings for property sales and new special districts, both currently being done at town hall. We are currently discussing a Coordinated Assessing Program with the town of Van Buren whereby the two towns will share an assessor, and possibly other office staff, saving dollars for both towns. I think many people are somewhat leery of wholesale consolidation. Bigger is not always better. I favor moving slowly by phasing mergers and/or consolidations in over time reducing staff as positions become vacant. This has already been done with the town’s tax collection function and is the case with the proposed new assessment program. Everything we have done and are proposing to do can be reversed. If we try it and it doesn’t work, we simply go back to the old way. If we don’t try it, we’ll never know if it would have worked or how much could have been saved.
Why should voters elect you?
Because I have a proven record of accomplishments, 12 years experience and I care deeply about Lysander and its future. I am committed to serving the residents of the town of Lysander by advocating for honest, open, efficient and fiscally sound government. I will continue to work full time, as many hours as needed, to assist all residents regardless of the hour of the day or the day of the week. I will continue to listen to citizens concerns and do everything within my power to assist them whenever possible.
Name: John A. Salisbury
Address: 97 West Genesee Street
Age: 70
Political affiliation: Registered Republican, Running as an independent on the Friends of Lysander and endorsed by the Democratic Party.
Professional experience: NYS Certified Public Accountant (retired); business administrator for the Baldwinsville Central School District (6 years); auditor and director of finance and Administration for five upstate offices of the accounting firm now known as Price Waterhouse Coopers (17 years); and chief operating officer of three different law firms located in Miami, Syracuse and Washington, DC (16 years).
Political experience: Three years on the Baldwinsville Central school board, 10 years as councilor of the town of Lysander (served as Deputy Supervisor during the last few years) and four years on the Baldwinsville Public Library Board
Community involvement: Board member of the Baldwinsville Community Scholarship Fund; founding board member of the Baldwinsville Rotary Club; treasurer for the Baldwinsville Jaycees project, which built the building that now houses the Canton Woods Senior Center; Central New York Special Olympics; president and member of the Parents Information Group for parents with children with special needs; trustee and chairman of the finance committee for St. Mary’s Church (10 years); and was on the credentialing committee for the visit of Pope John Paul II to Miami, Florida in 1987.
Family: Married to Mary Kissock Salisbury for 47 years, four children and nine grandchildren
Why are you running?
I believe that we are in need of new leadership within the town of Lysander and I am willing to step forward to undertake this task.
In your opinion, what is the number one issue facing residents?
As I talk to residents all over Lysander, the number one issue is both taxes and the ever-increasing assessments.
Other issues/problems?
The ice rink, the sale of the old town offices and the maintenance of the new town offices.
If elected, what goals do you hope to accomplish during your term?
I hope to form a committee consisting of the mayor of Baldwinsville, supervisor of Van Buren, a representative of the school district and myself to look at ways of sharing services and reducing expenses for each municipality. I also hope to be more responsive to the residents and always have an open door policy. I hope to make assessments more equitable within developments and other defined areas of Lysander.
How do you feel about consolidation?
I feel consolidation, in the long run, will save the taxpayers money. I know that it is a big undertaking and needs to involve a great many people. I think the first step is to investigate tax savings through shared services.
Why should voters elect you?
I am the best candidate. I have the experience, both on the political and work levels. Over the years I have had responsibility for hundreds of people and a great number of facilities. I have a proven record that I can get people to work together for the betterment of the community we serve.
