Current Camillus Fire Department Chief Michael McBride is one of five candidates running for a spot on the village board in March. Here, McBride weighs in on why he is running and how he can positively impact the village. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 in villge hall.
Village residents are invited to attend a public debate between the candidates at 7 p.m. Thursday March 12 at village hall sponsored by The Advocate and Eagle Newspapers. Michael McBride
10 Elm Street
Occupation: Maintenance technician
How long have you lived in the village of Camillus?
34 years
Are you involved with any clubs or organizations?
I have been an active member of the Camillus Volunteer Fire Department for 23 years. I am currently completing my second three-year term as chief of the department. I have greatly enjoyed the camaraderie that comes with being a member and feel fortunate to have helped so many. Why are you running for trustee?
I would like to serve my community as best as I feel I can. As a chief, I would like to think I had a part in improving the organization. {Q}Now that my term as Fire Chief is ending, I feel I can help better our community as a board trustee.{Q} What do you think you would bring to the table as trustee?
I feel my experience as an emergency responder and leader as well as my technical knowledge would be a valuable addition to the village board. I can work together as a team member, but also feel comfortable in communicating ideas of my own. It’s with these qualities that I hope I can make the board a stronger and wiser group. When you think about your village, what do you consider to be the biggest “missed opportunity” of village board? The biggest “missed opportunity” of the village board I feel would have to be the acquisition and completion of grants that are vital to the forward progress of a small village. Our village has many natural resources and its homes and business have historical charm, but it lacks the tax base necessary to make large-scale improvements. That is why it’s so important that we seek every opportunity to secure the funding necessary to make our village the kind of place we all know it could be without breaking the backs of the tax payers that call it home. What is an accomplishment of the board that you applaud or admire?
I applaud the board for working diligently to develop affordable housing for our elderly, such as Connelly Acres and the Camillus Elementary School. If elected, what is the first goal or project you would like to tackle or address?
I would like foster more community involvement in the revitalization of our village.
How many meetings attended in last year (an estimate)?
My duties as fire chief required much of my attention, however I attended municipal meetings as often as possible.