Village of Skaneateles residents will head to the polls Tuesday March 16 to vote for two trustees.
Incumbents Kathryn Carlson and Sue Jones are running for re-election and hoping to hold tight to their seats. Also running for one of the two open seats is former mayor and trustee Marty Hubbard.
The Skaneateles Press met up with the incumbents recently. Here is a Q&A with Carlson and Jones:
Meet Kathryn Carlson
* Family: Son/daughter-in-law in the town with three grandchildren, daughter/son-in-law recently moved from Alaska to Virginia with eight sled dogs and five house cats
* Occupation: retired school administrator (assistant superintendent and interim superintendent at Skaneateles Central Schools)
* Extracurriculars: Skaneateles School District representative on the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Board, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Council (secretary), Todd’s Fund Board, Skaneateles Community Drug/Alcohol Task Force
* How long have you lived in Skaneateles? 34 years
* How long have you been a village trustee? Two years
* Party affiliation: Unity Party (village)
QUESTION: As an incumbent trustee, why have you chosen to run again?
ANSWER: I want to complete the tasks I have begun, and to work with the mayor, other trustees and employees to keep our village running smoothly and efficiently. In the past two years I have worked with the police department and the village office personnel as their liaison, and have been instrumental in streamlining some operations and reducing expenditures. In the near future we will be replacing the clerk/treasurer and realigning tasks in the office to increase efficiency. The police department is implementing new technology and procedures to strengthen traffic and parking enforcement. I have been involved in both and want to continue to contribute.
Q: Looking back on the first time you ran for office, are your feelings about village politics stronger?
A: I am very impressed with the skills, knowledge and dedication of the mayor and my fellow trustees. I am honored to be a part of such a hard-working group. We may disagree on some issues, but we are able to listen to public input, discuss pros and cons and vote our opinions while remaining colleagues. This is politics as it should be everywhere. There are no party affiliation issues that interfere with individual conscience and judgment.
Q: There are many important issues the village board must discuss — from the parking situation to lake water quality and so many other things in between. What issues can residents expect to hear about in the next several months?
A: Quality of life issues are always paramount in local governments. These are the issues that most directly affect the daily lives of the residents and are the reason village governments can be so much more responsive than larger governments. Issues near and dear to various residents, such as the creation of a dog park and the extension of the historic district will be discussed. Less obvious but equally important issues such as the UV protection of our water supply and other water, sewer and electric issues will also be on the table. We are finding ways to improve the efficiency of the village operations, from technology innovations to cooperation with other governments and agencies (town, school district, PARCS, etc.)
Q: What are some of the issues you hope to tackle should you be re-elected? Why are these things a concern for you?
A: My issues continue to be that of preserving the unique character of our community, increasing our “lean and green” emphasis and protecting the safety and security of our residents and visitors. We will need to look at the results of our parking fee moratorium and make a decision about how to rewrite that portion of the code. We will have to make decisions about the future of the old fire station and the property it sits on. I would like to see a joint village-town task force to look at the direction we want to go in our comprehensive plan and building codes. Pedestrian safety, especially for our older citizens and our school children, as we grow commercially and have increased traffic is of concern to me.
Q: As a long time resident, what is your favorite part about living in Skaneateles?
A: I love to walk around the village and access our many shops, restaurants and services. I love to look at the unique architecture and the well-kept homes and streets. Watching our young people play sports, perform in bands, the chorus or plays and visiting with their parents are also favorite activities. Walking with my grandchildren to our little church on a sunny summer morning is a peaceful and spiritual experience.
Q: How have your experiences in your professional or volunteer life attributed to your role as trustee?
A: As the assistant superintendent at Skaneateles schools for many years, I was involved in many of the same kinds of budgeting, personnel and infrastructure issues that are present in the village. I have had training and experience in strategic planning, goal setting, personnel management and other skills that I find I am using regularly in village government.
Q: With elections upon us, what have you been doing to get the word out that you are running?
A: Running a campaign in the cold winter months is always hard. I talk to as many people as I can at the many meetings and other events I attend. I hope that people are reading about our village board meetings in the paper and are attending public hearings. The press is an important venue for getting information to village residents. I will try to reach people by phone and mail with information.
Q: Last year’s election only brought out about 60 voters. Are you doing anything to try to encourage constituents to head to the polls in March? If so, what?
A: A contested election always brings out more voters than an uncontested one. Sue Jones and I have the election date on our signs to remind people to vote. I trust the press will be reminding people as well.
Q: The village rarely has contested elections, but this year there is another resident running for trustee. Are you fearful of losing your seat or is the competition welcome?
A: Yes to both. I would love to continue as a village trustee. Two years is not a very long time and I have several projects underway that I would like to see come to fruition. But choice and competition in village elections is healthy. I have never run in an uncontested election. In village elections the campaigning centers around issues and qualifications, and does not become hostile or negative. This is how politics should be run everywhere.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
A: My final words are a huge thanks to the people who signed my petitions to get me back on the ballot and who trust me to represent them in the village. We have a great place here and I am committed to keeping it the wonderful place it is. Times are tough for a lot of people right now and we on the village board know that. We are actively trying to improve quality of life while holding down costs. We are here to listen to your needs and to try to address them.
Meet Sue Jones
* Family: Husband Paul (proud member of the Skaneateles Volunteer Fire Department); two grown children and three grown stepchildren
* Occupation: Executive Director at Neighborhood House, an early childhood education/day care center in Auburn that is funded by the Cayuga County United Way
* Extracurriculars: I serve on several committees at the Skaneateles United Methodist Church and really enjoy working in my garden. I am a big fan of the Auburn Doubledays. I serve on the board of Child Care Solutions in Syracuse.
* How long have you lived in Skaneateles?: My family moved here in 1988. Maybe after another 22 years, people will say that I live in Sue Jones’ house! We live in Rose Bull’s house, on the corner of West Genesee and Griffin streets.
* How long have you been a village trustee?: I was first elected in 2002, so am running for my fifth two-year term.
* Party affiliation: I am a registered Democrat. Again this year, those running for village office are running under their own party affiliations rather than a major party. I think that this is a good plan for our village. Village politics are very local.
QUESTION: As an incumbent trustee, why have you chosen to run again?
ANSWER: I still have lots of energy and enthusiasm for the job, enjoy working with a great group of elected and appointed officials and village employees, and feel that I make a positive contribution. I hope that voters will feel that my experience is an asset to our board.
Q: Looking back on the first time you ran for office, are your feelings about village politics stronger?
A: I think that stronger feelings come with knowledge and experience. I have learned a lot during my board service!
Q: There are many important issues the village board must discuss — from the parking situation to lake water quality and so many other things in between. What issues can residents expect to hear about in the next several months?
A: The all-important issue is the budget — controlling the rate of increase in expenses while working to provide the best possible level of service to taxpayers. Our village has several key employees who are nearing retirement age, so getting some “institutional memory” committed to some kind of electronic format will be important. There are strong feelings both for and against extending the Historic District in the village, so there will be some conversation on that issue. Town-village (or village-town) cooperation will receive more attention.
Q: What are some of the issues you hope to tackle should you be re-elected? Why are these things a concern for you?
A: I hope to make some more progress with signs and sidewalks. We need to improve our sign regulations and need to complete and maintain the sidewalk grid in the village. There are lots of capital projects to consider, such as the Fennell Street Masterplan and improvements to West Lake Street. Some projects are not optional, such as mandated improvements to our water system. There, the challenge is to complete them in the most effective and least costly manner.
Q: As a long time resident, what is your favorite part about living in Skaneateles?
A: It’s pretty great to get home from work at 6 p.m. and be in the kayak on the lake by 6:15. We are dog owners, so walk the village streets morning and night. The view from either of our lakeside parks at any time of day is something special. I savor being part of a real community, where people know and care about one another. Our community is small but not too small to offer some wonderful cultural opportunities and a vibrant downtown, including good restaurants. We are fortunate to have a high quality of life here. The work of the volunteers who support projects ranging from youth sports to the Laker Limo to the Skaneateles Festival to our Labor Day celebration (just to name a few) certainly support this quality of life for all of us. When my mom fell at our house and needed SAVES, one of the volunteers who answered the call turned out to be a woman from church who also plays soccer on one of the Thursday night ladies teams. That connection was comforting to my mom and made a rough moment a little easier.
Q: How have your experiences in your professional or volunteer life attributed to your role as trustee?
A: Many years ago, I was one of the helpers who worked with John and Debbie Covell to start the Skaneateles Youth Soccer Organization. It is impressive and wonderful to see how that program has grown. Watching the sea of children play in Austin Park on a sunny Saturday morning in September is a thrilling experience. Neighborhood House is a non-profit agency, and I do everything from hiring and supervision to fund raising to managing our very tight budget as we have worked to improve our program quality. This range of experience is certainly an asset in my work with the village.
Q: With elections upon us, what have you been doing to get the word out that you are running?
A: Kathryn and I carried each other’s nominating petitions and I wrote a letter to the editor of both of our local papers. We will dust off the yard signs from 2008. While I try not to be too much of a nudge, my friends, neighbors and acquaintances are certainly aware of the upcoming election and my need for support.
Q: Last year’s election only brought out about 60 voters. Are you doing anything to try to encourage constituents to head to the polls in March? If so, what?
A: Uncontested elections always have low turnouts. Since three candidates are running for two seats, I am certain that all three candidates will work to encourage supporters to turn out and vote on March 16. Hours are from noon until 9 p.m. at the new firehouse — please mark your calendar.
Q: The village rarely has contested elections, but this year there is another resident running for trustee. Are you fearful of losing your seat or is the competition welcome?
A: To be honest, I should admit that I am a bit envious that Bob, Marc and Tim did not face opposition last year and I have had an opponent nearly every time that I have run. We have had more contested elections than not in recent years. I believe that all three candidates this year are well qualified, and residents will be well served whatever the outcome, but will work hard to win. I would not say that I am fearful, but I am inspired to work hard to keep my seat. When there are more candidates than open seats, there is always more attention paid to the issues, and that is a good thing.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
A: I am supporting my fellow trustee Kathryn Carlson in this election. Thanks to the folks who signed one of our petitions. Although we do not always agree, the five members of our current board respect each other’s opinions, and I believe we work well together. I hope to have the opportunity to continue this service for the next two years.
