On Nov. 5, Spafford voters will have two choices for a town supervisor and five choices for two available town councilor seats.
The Republican candidates for office will be incumbent town supervisor Webb Stevens and newcomers Don Plath and Dave Venezia for town council. Lisa Valetta, town clerk, Carl Wiers, highway superintendent, and Cynthia Cook, tax collector, will all run uncontested.
The Democrat candidates are Mary Bean, who will challenge Stevens, and Chris Fesko (an incumbent) and Kathy Bragg-Adams for town councilor.
Joe Vecchio, a registered Democrat, said he had expressed interest in running for the board as a Democrat. After not being selected at the caucus he was encouraged to run on his own party line after hearing support from numerous community members. Vecchio then circulated petitions and established his own un-affiliated party to run under, the Spafford People’s Party. He said his campaign has been 100 percent self-financed.
All seven candidates for the contested offices are profiled below. For more information on the election and how and where to vote, visit the Onondaga County Board of Elections website, ongov.net/elections.
Town supervisor
Mary Bean
Name as it will appear on the ballot: Mary Bean
Age: 72
Affiliations on ballot: Democrat
Background: Bean has been a summer resident of Spafford since 1951 and a permanent resident since 2002. She has three daughters and seven grandchildren. She is a retired nurse practitioner and currently does consulting work. Bean also has served as a Spafford Area Historical Society board member since 2004 and president since 2008.
What makes you qualified for this office?
M.B.: I’ve spent 30 years working successfully with health care clients who needed help developing systems, databases and functioning teams that could achieve accreditation and/or regulatory compliance. Interpreting government regulations and negotiating corrective action plans required dialogue with multiple governmental agencies. I have master’s degrees in public administration and nursing. The growth and achievements of the Spafford Area Historical Society during my presidency are evidence of my energy, resourcefulness, financial management and ability to work successfully with members and supporters.
What do you see as an important issue, or issues, that face the town and its residents?
M.B.: The lack of communication between town government and citizens is a big issue in Spafford and the root cause of most citizen frustration with the current leadership. There is no newspaper that reaches all households and the town has not sent a newsletter to citizens in over two years. The lack of accessible agendas and minutes for board meetings and hostility toward citizen questions and dialogue during board meetings discourages citizen participation in decision making, deprives the board of new, creative ideas and undermines the spirit of the “Sunshine” law.
What is one thing (fiscally, operationally, local laws, etc.) you would like to change about how the town operates?
M.B.: The use of evidence in decision making is lacking in Spafford government. The town fails to use technology and data to support evidence based decisions about how our tax dollars are spent and decisions are still being made on the “squeaky wheel” premise or personal preference of the supervisor. Cost/benefit analysis on projects and purchases, zero based budgeting, and use of shared services are some financial management techniques that could forestall tax increases.
Webb Stevens
Name as it will appear on the ballot: Webb Stevens
Age: 72
Affiliations on ballot: Republican, Spafford United Party
Background: Stevens has lived in Spafford for 49 years. He is married and has two children. He is the current owner and operator of Locust Creek Percheron Draft Horse Farm, and has worked as a farmer and construction equipment operator in the past. Stevens has been the town supervisor for the past eight years and has also served as town justice and town assessor.
What makes you qualified for this office?
W.S.: Being town supervisor for eight years, town justice for 20 years and town assessor for six years, I am experienced in construction, managing my own business and able to see both sides of issues.
What do you see as an important issue, or issues, that face the town and its residents?
W.S.: Keeping zoning laws user-friendly and addressing issues as they arise.
What is one thing (fiscally, operationally, local laws, etc.) you would like to change about how the town operates?
W.S.: To continue to keep the town fiscally sound and maintain the lowest tax rate possible.
Town councilor
Kathy Bragg-Adams
Name as it will appear on the ballot: Kathryn L. Bragg-Adams
Preferred name: Kathy Adams
Age: 62
Affiliations on ballot: Democrat
Background: Adams has lived in Spafford for 26 years and was a frequent visitor to the area while growing up in the Binghamton area. She is married and has extended family who live in the area. She is currently a self-employed training and organization development consultant. For the past two years she has been the chair of the town zoning board of appeals.
What makes you qualified for this office?
K.A.: In 2005, I made a decision to become more involved in the community that has been my home since 1987. I believe that competent government requires passion, knowledge and skill, so I began to attend town board meetings to learn about the issues and processes of our town government. I applied for an open position on the zoning board of appeals, and was appointed. During my tenure, I have worked to make the appeals process clearer and more consistent, and created information materials for citizens to use when applying. I take every opportunity for training from state and local agencies, and have developed and maintained contacts at the county and state that serve as resources to us.
What do you see as an important issue, or issues, that face the town and its residents?
K.A.: I share the concerns of most citizens — how our tax dollars are spent, how to effectively manage development, fair enforcement of laws and effective communications. Many of these issues seem simple, but it can be a challenge to reach agreement on the best approach. When we have important issues, we need to work together effectively so that we find creative solutions to tough problems. Without good communications or a willingness to really listen to citizens’ ideas and concerns, solutions to our problems will be acceptable and legal, but perhaps not as creative or smart as they could be. In a small community like ours, better collaboration between government and its citizens is not easy, but is certainly possible.
What is one thing (fiscally, operationally, local laws, etc.) you would like to change about how the town operates?
K.A.: Too often, our town board does not take advantage of the talents and ideas of citizens who are outside the immediate circle of those who are elected or appointed. Public hearings are held, but often too late for real input to decisions or laws. Earlier opportunities for input, from a wider circle of community members — even those who disagree — could improve the quality of our decisions and laws, and reduce the frustration that results from people feeling as if they are not being heard. The knowledge that I have gained through my service on the ZBA as well as the skills I bring from my professional life will be valuable as our team adopts a more inclusive, open and respectful approach.
Chris Fesko
Name as it will appear on the ballot: Christine E. Fesko
Nickname/preferred name: Chris
Age: 61
Affiliations on ballot: Democrat
Background: Fesko has lived in Spafford for 38 years. She has three children and seven grandchildren. She has been on the town board since 2011. She is also has been an active volunteer with Hospice for 30 years.
What makes you qualified for this office?
C.F.: Professionally I am nationally certified in bank board governance. I have served seven years on the audit committee of the Board of Directors of Farm Credit East and am currently serving my last term due to term limits. I have served as chief operating officer of three businesses as well as the accountant of Fesko Farms, Inc. for 30-plus years. I am currently serving on the town board and find it stimulating. I appreciate the support I have received. Personally, I am the connection between the diverse demographics of this town. My bedroom is in the same town that I work in and represent.
What do you see as an important issue, or issues, that face the town and its residents?
C.F.: Taxes are on everyone’s mind. We all want services, but we actually pay very high taxes for very little services. Some non-residents in this town pay high taxes and receive no services. The spread of value of property in this town is about as diverse as it gets. The words fair and equal do not always mean the same thing.
What is one thing (fiscally, operationally, local laws, etc.) you would like to change about how the town operates?
C.F.: Change is not comfortable for most people. I don’t like that our zoning laws are reactionary. Though a squeaky wheel very often gets the grease, I think zoning laws ought to be applied equally to all residents under the law.
Donald Plath
Name as it will appear on the ballot: Donald E. Plath
Age: 67
Affiliations on ballot: Republican, Spafford United Party
Background: Plath is married and has two children. He lived in Skaneateles for 29 years before moving to Spafford, where he built his own house, in 2005. Now retired, Plath was director of business development for a commercial construction company for six years and director of sales and marketing, domestically and internationally for a heating/cooling electronics manufacturing company for 18 years.
What makes you qualified for this office?
D.P.: I am a long-time resident, and care greatly about this community and its environment. I’ve built businesses five-fold, domestically and internationally, in highly competitive markets. This required a consultative approach, understanding different views / cultures, what is beneficial to long term interests. Goals are accomplished by working with and through people. Projects are approached with common sense, analysis, collaboration. I earned a bachelor’s of science and a master’s of business administration from Syracuse University. Now retired, this is the first venture into politics. There is the time and ability to put solid business experience to work. I will work with businesses, state and county development authorities to insure best results are possible for the Spafford community.
What do you see as an important issue, or issues, that face the town and its residents?
D.P.: I think we need to maintain town viability with no increase in town taxes. We need to protect the integrity of lakes and environment. Efforts should continue to explore possibilities for low cost Internet provider(s). Wise residential and economic growth should be encouraged. We can encourage more community participation and communication.
What is one thing (fiscally, operationally, local laws, etc.) you would like to change about how the town operates?
D.P.: We should update zoning laws to accommodate / encourage alternative sources of energy such as solar, wind and geo-thermal. Climate change is upon us. To protect this wonderful area for future generations, there is much to be gained from “Thinking global, act local.”
Joe Vecchio
Name as it will appear on the ballot: Joe Vecchio
Age: 57
Affiliations on ballot: Spafford People’s Party
Background: Vecchio has lived in Spafford for 18 years. He is married and owns and operates Coyote Joe’s Auto Body garage. Vecchio is also an active volunteer firefighter with the Borodino department and has independently made several documentary films on topics including politics and the Syracuse Post-Standard.
What makes you qualified for this office?
J.V.: Watch my politically correct documentary, “Sex, Lies, and Videotapes in Spafford,” a truthful expose about town politics eight years ago. Moreover, I attend and videotape 90 percent of the board meetings and know what’s going on. I was elected to offices at Borodino Fire Department.
What do you see as an important issue, or issues, that face the town and its residents?
J.V.: Possible litigation for arbitrary zone enforcement (ACLU?) and a new efficient, high-tech highway building — healthier/safer work environment to attract future employees. What is one thing (fiscally, operationally, local laws, etc.) you would like to change about how the town operates?
J.V.: Get junior councilors to take more responsibilities for their inaction and actions.
David Venezia
Name as it will appear on the ballot: David M. Venezia
Age: 51
Affiliations on ballot: Republican, Spafford United Party
Background: Venezia served 23 years in the U.S. Army, including 14 years in Europe and deployments in the Bosnia, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom conflicts. He is currently the operations manager for Modular Space Corp. He also a member of the Spafford Area Historical Society and the American Legion
What makes you qualified for this office?
D.V.: I truly believe that both my military career and now business career provide me with the skills and experiences for success as a Spafford town councilman. But my passion for people, serving and community are what drives me and I believe that is of greatest importance. So what makes me qualified? My utmost desire to serve the people of Spafford. I will represent all the people with compassion and understanding as they all are our greatest resource. I will ensure fiscal oversight in all town operations — details matter. But quality town services can never be comprised. I will always seek to protect our wonderful lakes, beautiful farms and spectacular landscapes.
What do you see as an important issue, or issues, that face the town and its residents?
D.V.: The future issues that will confront the town must be addressed with first and foremost the people in mind, common sense and fiscal responsibility. I believe it important to operate a fiscally responsible town government as it has been in recent years.
What is one thing (fiscally, operationally, local laws, etc.) you would like to change about how the town operates?
D.V.: Hold the line on any tax rate increase. I want to approach my responsibilities as a town councilman just this way. Never be satisfied with the status quo in anything. There is always a more effective or efficient way to do things.
