In Cazenovia, candidates Peggy Van Arnam and Amy Mann were elected into the two open village trustee spots on election day, June 16.
Mann won a total 334 votes and Van Arnam 341. Blue Party candidate Kevin Velasco received 194 votes cast in his favor.
Village Mayor Thomas Dougherty was reelected to his position with 342 votes. He was running unopposed. (CORRECTION: Our initial figure of 321 votes left out 21 absentee ballot votes.)
Both mayor and trustee positions serve two year terms.
From Mann’s and Van Arnam’s letters of candidacy:
Amy Mann:
I am pleased to announce my candidacy for Village Trustee, both as a Democrat and as an Independent candidate running on the Community Party line.
Cazenovia has been my home for over 30 years. I am a 1985 graduate of the high school. After attending college and beginning my career in Chicago, I returned 12 years ago with my husband Kevin to raise our children in this community.
With two current members completing their service this spring, the Village will have openings on its Board of Trustees. I have been asked to consider serving my community during a particularly active time in local government and am honored to do so. I can think of absolutely no better use of my time and energy than to funnel it directly into the community in which I live.
Since my return, I have been engaged in a number of volunteer boards, organizations, and projects and have had the privilege to work alongside a wide variety of my neighbors. I have also spent time in many corners of this town — in its classrooms, at its playing fields, in its shops and restaurants, and of course among its spectacular natural resources. What I have witnessed is that despite the enormous diversity in our residents and their stories, there is one thing in common among the people who have chosen to call Cazenovia home. Everyone cares deeply. Everyone knows we have something special here and everyone wants more than anything for it to remain healthy and vibrant for generations to come.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the recent high level of participatory government that has been fostered by the past few boards. I find this thrilling and am eager to see this continue. All of the most recent initiatives taken on by the Village Board — the Comprehensive Plan, the boat launch, the fight against invasive species in the lake — have seen the input of dozens of citizens.
There remains plenty of work to be done, but I strongly feel that the outgoing board members have paved the way by leaving this tremendous gift of open and accessible local government.
One of the most important current issues facing the Village concerns the College and potential changes to related zoning laws. The College is a tremendous asset to this community and the benefits of a healthy Town and Gown relationship are significant.
I believe that wonderful and important things can be accomplished if we can come together and foster a comfortable working environment on these issues. I am a proponent of forming an effective Town and Gown initiative modeled on our other open and participatory efforts. I believe that if we can work together in this manner, our investment in the College — and its in us — could result in a spectacular return for both parties.
I would like to thank outgoing trustees Paul Brooks, Russ Brownback, and Tom Tait for their selfless dedication and commitment to the Village. I would be honored to have your support on June 16.
Peggy Van Arnam:
It is with great pleasure and humility that I announce my candidacy for Village Trustee on both the Democratic and Community Party lines.
For the past few years I have joined and applauded the many residents who took on the task of creating a Comprehensive Plan for the Village. A new spirit of openness and responsiveness has accompanied this effort, resulting in an excellent road map. While continuing the other duties of running a village, we must now finish the task, creating appropriate zoning and other regulations that will maintain the character of this unique village. As a participant in creating the Historic Preservation Ordinance and the Noise Ordinance, I know well the effort required.
My husband George and I have called Lincklaen Street home for 37 years. Our three sons attended Cazenovia schools and still return to enjoy the village’s benefits. Our proximity to the college has allowed us to swim in their pool, sing in the chorale, attend plays, and take classes. Some years ago I worked with Lincklaen Street neighbors and college staff to achieve a cordial consensus on plans for the building of their new athletic facility. After a long career in education, most recently at Syracuse University, I became a small business owner. As a founding member of Cazenovia Artisans and the secretary of the Historic Cazenovia Business Committee, I live daily with the issues that affect our retail community and the downtown area. After six years on the Friends of the Library Board, the last four as treasurer, I recognize the value of the library to Cazenovia, the generous support given to it by our community, and the need to preserve this relationship. Since 1980 we have had a boat on the lake and experienced both the joys and the problems associated with Cazenovia Lake, a critical asset to our community and property values.
These experiences lead me to feel it is not only right to give back to the community that has given me so much, but also I am equipped to do so. I would be happy to talk with any resident seeking further information. Meanwhile I ask for your support of my candidacy and your vote on June 16.
