On Election Day, Nov. 3, voters in Onondaga County will get plenty of opportunities to cast ballots for seats on the Onondaga County Legislature. Legislators seats in Onondaga County have a term of two years, so all of the 17 total districts are up for reelection.
Some legislator seats are not contested, such as Kevin Holmquist in the district 10 seat, which covers most of the town of Manlius. Linda Ervin, the current legislator in the 17th district is also running unopposed. The 17th district covers part of the town of DeWitt east of Route 481 and a southern portion of the city of Syracuse.
However, this will be the third time Danny Liedka, incumbent, and Lorene Dadey will face off in the race for the district 7 seat, which covers the village of East Syracuse and northern parts of the town of DeWitt. Both Liedka (Republican) and Dadey (Democrat) have served as mayor in East Syracuse. Dadey was defeated by Leidka twice in close races in 2011 and 2013.
To find out which Onondaga County Legislature District you live in, go to ongov.net/elections/maps.html.
The staff at the Eagle Bulletin feels that it is important for voters to be informed of their candidates when it comes to local elections. Candidates in each race were given identical questionnaires and asked to respond and return for publication in the paper prior to the election. Here are the responses from the candidates for the Onondaga County Legislature District 7 and 10 races. Candidates and their responses are listed in alphabetical order.
District 7
Lorene Dadey
Political affiliation: Democrat
Political experience: Former East Syracuse Village Mayor and Trustee and DeWitt Town Board member
Background/bio: Married for 37 years, Mom to 4 grown children, self-employed with husband for past 36 years
What do you believe is the biggest problem Onondaga County currently faces? Each legislation district has its own unique challenges and needs so it is extremely difficult to select one problem. One issue I would like to see addressed that would benefit the entire county is a more open transparent government. This would allow our taxpayers to see where their taxes are going and what services they receive for their county taxes. Elected officials need to be held accountable and keep their constituents informed.
How would you address this problem? Encourage more evening session, have legislative sessions held in neighboring municipal offices, establish much better communication with constituents.
Why do you believe you are the best candidate for this seat? I bring a diverse background. I am unique because I have been self-employed for so many years and realize every nickel counts. I would bring a different perspective to county government.
If elected, what will be your top priority? I will hit the pavement running and bringing the concerns and issues I have been hearing while door knocking forward for possible resolution.
Danny Liedka
Political affiliation: Republican
Political experience: Two terms as county legislator, two terms as Village of East Syracuse Mayor and two terms as Village of East Syracuse Trustee
Background/bio: Sports Broadcaster Time Warner Cable Sports Channel, Senior Sales Executive Marriott International
What do you believe is the biggest problem Onondaga County currently faces? Jobs
How would you address this problem? In order to encourage new development, taxes need to be lowered in the county which we have done over the last four years. In fact they are the lowest they have been in 30 years from the county perspective. Investing in infrastructure is paramount to accommodate new development. Also we are investing in our marketing of our county to attract new visitors to generate new sales tax to help stabilize taxes. The renovation of the Hotel Syracuse, now the Marriott Downtown Syracuse will bring ten thousand new hotel room nights to our area, and make Onondaga County a top tier convention market. Our OnCenter has been asset over the years, but without a hotel partner it didn’t achieve what it was capable of.
Why do you believe you are the best candidate for this seat? I would put my work ethic and constituent service up against ANYONE at any level. I take pride in being the champion for my constituents, and helping solve problems. I am proud of the hundreds of thousands of dollars of grant money I have landed for the North Side of Syracuse, DeWitt and the village of East Syracuse. People that run for office make a lot of promises. I have a proven track record of delivering. As mayor I lowered taxes. As a county legislator I have lowered taxes. I am action, not talk.
If elected, what will be your top priority?Job creation, and continuing the effort to reduce property taxes.
District 10
Kevin Holmquist
Political affiliation: Republican. Also endorsed by the Conservative Party, the Independence Party and the Veterans Party.
Biography: Manlius Village Board for 10 years (1991-2000); Manlius Town Board for five years (2001-2005); Onondaga County Legislature 10 years (2005-2015);Manager, Key Bank Manlius three years; and Relationship Manager, Key Bank Nottingham 20 years.
How long have you been serving on the Onondaga County Legislature? 10 years. I have a perfect attendance record at our County Legislative sessions.
What do you believe is one of the biggest problems Onondaga County currently faces? I believe that our county government is getting involved in too many areas that we don’t know anything about and shouldn’t be involved in. A couple of examples would be the county taxpayer financed Amphitheatre and the dog kennel at Jamesville. We should be focused on doing a world class job on our core competencies such as public safety and infrastructure. The best local government is strong, efficient and limited.
Why do you want to continue to serve as an Onondaga County Legislator? I enjoy the challenging work of serving our citizens as an Onondaga County Legislator. I am the only elected official in Onondaga County that has served in an elected capacity at the village, town and county levels of government. I have a unique perspective and I know this area very well. I have lived here my whole life.
What will be your top priority in your next term? My top priority in my next term as a County Legislator will be oversight of the Lakeview Amphitheatre. I am concerned about cost overruns and additional public spending requests from County Executive Mahoney. The taxpayers were promised that this project would cost 50 million dollars, not a penny more. I will be watching this very closely to ensure that there are no more local county tax dollars sunk into this project.
District 17
Linda Ervin
Background/bio: Married to Marion Ervin with two grown children and three grandchildren. A retired Real Estate Professional. Graduate of Syracuse University. Lived in the Greater Syracuse Area for over 40 years and worked to make the county a better place for all residents. Served on the JD Board of Education for 12 years holding the office of Finance Committee chair, vice president.
Community activities include: Emeritus Member of Catholic Charities and Hospice of CNY Boards; member of VNA Homecare of CNY board; Time of Jubilee/ Jubilee Boards; Member of DeWitt Rotary – serving as Philanthropy Chair; Member of Crouse Hospital Board; and member of Aurora of CNY Board.
How long have you been serving on the Onondaga County Legislature? Elected to the legislature 2009 and served from 2010 to present
What are your views of the ash-for-trash program at the Jamesville incinerator?
I am not in favor of the proposed ash for trash project. We have a local on the books now to prevent importation that was voted on by previous legislators when the incinerator was built. We promised the residents of the county that we would not import trash and I see no reason to remove or modify that law. Cortland does not do a great job of recycling and we do not know what toxins might exist in the trash that would be sent to us. We have had presentations that have shown us alternatives to burning more trash which have the potential of creating jobs while reducing dependence on burning trash. We owe it to ourselves and our constituents to investigate these alternatives more thoroughly. And the info we have recently received from Cortland points to unwillingness on their part to enter into an agreement on this issue.
Why do you want to continue to serve as an Onondaga County Legislator?
The overall reason I ran for this office was to help people and I would like to continue to do that. Constituent service is the linchpin of any public service office, and I want to continue to serve the constituents of the 17th District as well as all those in the county. I have accomplished some of what I had hope to while in office but there is much more work to do. The return of the Human Rights Commission, the creation of the Jail Oversight Office, the return of 16/ 17 year olds to PSB from Jamesville while keeping taxes down are a few accomplishments in which I was integrally involved.
What will be your top priority in your next term?
My priorities will be continuing to monitor spending without sacrificing programs that provide jobs, service and economic development. Taking a closer look at how we can award contracts to a more diverse group of contractors in terms of women and minorities. Working cooperatively to insure that the amphitheater is successful. Seeing the remodeling of the downtown library to completion. Continuing to try to block the importation of trash from Cortland or anywhere. And continuing to look for ways to deal with the deer/ tick/ lyme disease problems.
