The polls for village elections will be open from noon to 9 p.m. June 15 at the American Legion on Chenango St., Cazenovia. With two challengers and one incumbent running for two open seats, who are you voting for?
Dave Porter (D, Strong Community Party-Challenger)
Porter has no previous political experience. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in studio fine arts from SUNY Albany, a Bachelor of Engineering degree in mechanical engineering from SUNY Stony Brook, and a Masters in Environmental Engineering from Syracuse University. Porter served as Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy onboard the USS White Plains. He is a licensed professional engineer in New York; Certified Energy Manager and LEED Accredited Professional for building design and construction. He has worked in the area of engineering consulting for the last 25 years designing and evaluating building mechanical systems and performing building energy audits and engineering evaluations.
What is your public service mission?
As village trustee I hope to provide an engineering perspective to the building and infrastructure challenges that face the village. I also hope to support local programs that support sustainable design and energy conservation.
What do you believe to be your constituency’s most pressing issue or challenge?
Encouraging and managing development in the village in a way that allows businesses to be successful while preserving the historic character of the Village.
What is your leadership philosophy?
I believe that in municipal government, the local leadership must make an effort to listen to all opinions, to make the government process accessible and transparent to encourage participation by the citizenry.
Kaleb Wilson (D, Independent-Challenger)
Experience:
“I received a Bachelor of Science degree in 2007 from Cazenovia College with a concentration in History and Government. Currently, I am seeking my Master of Arts in Public Policy degree from New England College and anticipate completing that by the end of summer. I served 4 years on the Cazenovia College Student Government Association, including one year as Student Body President. In 2006, I interned with Senator Dave Valesky’s re-election campaign, heading up the Cazenovia effort. I currently serve on the Cazenovia College Alumni Board of Directors and am chair of the annual Cazenovia College Open golf tournament.”
What is your public service mission?
I hope to be able to bring a youthful perspective to the Village Board and work to attract and retain younger people and families to the Cazenovia area. As an alum of Cazenovia College and a village resident, I have the unique opportunity to be a link between the Village and the College. Through the years I have built strong relationships with the College leadership team and can utilize them to build a stronger bond between the two entities.
What do you believe to be your constituency’s most pressing issue or challenge?
While parking in the Village is always a major issue, attracting and maintaining businesses in the Village is extremely important. Hearing the thoughts and concerns of business owners throughout the entire Village will allow us to better understand attracting new business. Keeping these businesses in Caz and bringing in new as well will help the economic growth and vitality of the area.
What is your leadership philosophy?
I believe that listening to all opinions is of critical importance. Even if a person has a completely opposite view, a leader must understand and appreciate that opposing viewpoint. Our great country and system of government cherishes opposing viewpoints to make for a strong and stable government. It is also important to educate oneself and the public when in a leadership role. When major issues arise, learning all viewpoints and facts on a topic will allow a leader to reach a well-informed and concrete decision.
Kurt Wheeler (R, Leadership Party — Incumbent)
Kurt Wheeler was elected to the village board in 2005, has five years of experience as a trustee and one year experience as deputy mayor. He served for eight years on the Cazenovia Advisory Conservation Commission, is the current Commissioner of Streets, Sidewalks and Buildings; and Code Committee Chairman. He served as chairman of the Joint Town/Village Comprehensive Plan Committee. Wheeler is a chairman and founding member of Project CAFE, Inc. and a former chairman of Winter Festival and July 4th Committees. He is a history teacher and Social Studies department leader at Cazenovia High School. He was awarded first runner-up as Teacher of the Year in NY State. Wheeler is a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Marine Corps Reserve and has 21 years of service with combat tours in Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom.
He has private sector experience in Mortgage Banking and National Security Policy Analysis, and earned a bachelor’s degree in government and master’s degree in history education from Harvard University.
What is your public service mission?
My goal in public service is to faithfully represent the interests and needs of all of our residents and to maintain the wonderful quality of life we enjoy here in Cazenovia. I strive to weigh input from all sources fairly and equitably and decide each issue on its merits. Cazenovia possesses many of its fine qualities today because previous generations had vision and considered the village’s long-term well-being. I strive to match that standard.
What do you believe to be your constituency’s most pressing issue or challenge?
Our community’s greatest challenge is to preserve the unique qualities that make Cazenovia special (its history, heritage, character and rural nature) while also allowing for sensible economic growth. Well-planned growth (and the tax revenue that comes with it) will allow us to improve our aging infrastructure and keep our taxes at affordable levels for all citizens. This is closely related to the demographic challenges that our area faces. We have a rapidly aging population that will need new services and housing to remain in our community. We also have declining enrollment in our elementary school due to the lack of economic opportunities for young families in Central New York. A well-designed approach could position Cazenovia to meet both needs.
What is your leadership philosophy?
My philosophy is that of service leadership. I believe in “public service” in the truest sense. I ran for Trustee five years ago because I love this community and care deeply about its future. Serving in local government has become increasingly demanding in recent years as the issues we face have grown in number and complexity. I have a proven track record of investing the time and energy required to meet those challenges. I believe in open government. Decisions should be made publicly and transparently based on a fair analysis of thorough input from all perspectives. I also believe in leadership by example. Whether its shopping locally, supporting local charities or protecting our environment, we all need to do our part.
