Polls will open from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday March 18 for village residents.
This year’s candidates include two incumbents, Mayor Joseph Saraceni and Trustee Carrie Weaver, each running uncontested, and two new candidates, Dick Clarke and Mark Wilder, who are running for two open trustee seats. Current trustees Rick Presley and Robin Augello will not seek another term.
The Baldwinsville Messenger recently interviewed trustee candidate Carrie Weaver.
Carrie Weaver
Party Affiliation: Citizen’s Party
Political Experience: Elected village trustee in 2007. Served on the Public Safety Committee, Department of Public Works Committee, The Labor Relations Committee and served as chair of the Labor Relations Committee for one year. Initiated the “Red Flag for Safety” program that has been successful in increasing pedestrian visibility at two of the busiest crosswalks in downtown Baldwinsville at a minimal cost.
Community Involvement: Volunteer at the Baldwinsville Visitors Center; Blessing of the Fleet Committee; various school activities
In these fiscally challenging times, how do you plan to ease the financial burden of the Baldwinsville taxpayer?
During my tenure on the village board, we have provided residents with high level of services at the lowest possible cost. There has been a decrease in the village budget each year that I have been on the board and I will continue to hold myself and the board financially responsible for keeping costs low.
In terms of growth and development, how do you see Baldwinsville in five years?
In the next year, {Q}I am looking forward to the redevelopment of the Harrington Fire Station property. This will create an attractive community space in the center of our downtown corridor{Q}. The town center “concept” will not only create an attractive community space right in the downtown corridor, but will give village business an opportunity to take advantage of their back door entrances, making them attractive to shoppers using the green space and parking area. The village board has adopted plans for the Village Square development.
Five years down the road, I would like to see Village Square connect with the Yevich trail, leading residents and shoppers along the river to a redeveloped Lock Street. This will provide residents and business owners with river front property reinvigorated for economic and residential development.
What goals do you hope to accomplish in your first term?
One of the reasons I am seeking a second term on the village board is to continue to follow through with many of the programs and initiatives that were started while I was on the board. In my first term as trustee, the Citizen’s Party introduced and the board passed the sidewalk replacement program. This program is set to begin this spring on Walnut Street. I am excited to see this program move forward. I also want to ensure that the sidewalk replacement program continues in a timely, cost effective manner during the next several years.
What are the issues facing Baldwinsville? How do you intend to tackle them?
The village of Baldwinsville faces tough economic challenges. I plan to continually promote shared services with the towns of Lysander and Van Buren to help reduce village spending.
Why should voters elect you?
It has been an honor to serve on the village board for the past two years. I want to continue to promote the village of Baldwinsville and support the residents and community that I feel honored to represent.
