Due to the high volume of letters, not all are able to appear in print. To view all recent election letters please visit eaglenewsonline.com.
Algae bloom is a wakeup call
To the editor:
All of us can understand the role our kidneys play as filters, keeping harmful things from building up in our bodies and keeping us healthy. What we sometimes fail to recognize is that our lake, like our bodies, also has a natural system that filters potentially harmful material out of its waters. Wetlands, forested slopes and vegetative buffers around tributary streams can act like a sponge, slowing the flow of runoff from storm events and keeping silt and nutrients from reaching the lake. The algae bloom was a real wake-up call and we need strong advocates for the lake now more than ever.
Connie Brace and Claire Howard have been huge advocates for the Open Space Plan, which has the goal of preserving open space which can filter runoff. Both have excellent relationships with Sustainable Skaneateles, the Skaneateles Lake Association and the Finger Lakes Land Trust – three important partners in lake protection.
Connie and Claire have continuously made an effort to educate themselves about the lake, what best practices are for preserving it, what kinds of harmful substances and species we are trying to prevent reaching the lake, and who we can work with to keep the lake clean. They have been strong advocates for tributary monitoring, as well.
A vote for Connie and Claire helps protect the lake.
Patty Weisse and George Thomas
Skaneateles
Support for Paduda
To the editor:
Six years ago at a Syracuse University lacrosse game where our sons were playing, I forst met Joe Paduda. My initial impressions were that he was enthusiastic, positive, energetic, supportive and inclusive. Since that time our families have become good friends and I know there is even more to like and be impressed with Joe.
Joe is a great family man, father and husband. His wife, the former Deb Mollihan live in Skaneateles and they were married here 30 years ago. Joe is a successful businessmen, well traveled, bright and insightful, hard working and comes from a family where public service was a family value and expectation. My wife and I have lived in Skaneateles for over 30 years and it is easy to forget how fortunate we are to live here. We also probably get complacent and accepting of the way things have become. As a more recent resident, Joe brings a new perspective to what we are and what we can become.
I believe Joe Paduda has a great deal to offer as a county legislator. He understands the needs and challenges of a business person. He has lived in and visited other communities to witness their attempts to tackle local challenges. As a graduate of Syracuse University and an active leader and member of various alumni organizations, he knows Central New York and has great contacts with the university which could lead to collaboration and partnership with the county on important issues.
As a resident of Skaneateles, he understands the necessity of a countywide effort to protect the lake and the community’s water source. As a father of three college graduates he understands the need to maintain and improve our education system while trying to develop the local economy in a manner which will create good jobs so our children won’t have to leave the area to find work.
I believe Joe’s two greatest assets as a legislator would be his compassion for others and his drive and perseverance to see things through to completion. He will represent us based solely on what is best for the people, not what is politically expedient or the traditional party line. He is honest, direct and if he doesn’t know the answer, he wont give up until he finds the correct information.
Divided government and partisan politics are certainly the order of the ay. It is especially refreshing to see someone like Joe Paduda getting involved in local government for the right reason, that is to serve his community and its citizens to help in anyway he can to make Onondaga County an even better place to live and work.
I urge voters to give Joe Paduda the opportunity to serve as county legislator to bring progress and make a difference for all of us.
Steve Rice
Skaneateles
Vote for Tucker
To the editor:
Mark Tucker is seeking a seat on the town board and I urge you to support him with your vote.
I had the privilege of working with Mark for more than a decade when he served as chairman of the planning board. In that role he reviewed every detail of all projects brought before the board. This included environmental impact, code compliance and the well being of neighboring properties. He was never influenced or cowed by the size of a project, but always fair and impartial. His dedication to the Community is an example for us all. He is honorable, hardworking and knowledgeable and will make an outstanding Town Board member.
For the good of the community please cast your vote for Mark Tucker on Nov. 7.
Suzanne Rapalski
Skaneateles
Vote no on Constitutional Convention
To the editor:
When we go to our polling places on Nov. 7 there will be a referendum on whether or not to convene a New York State Constitutional Convention. A Constitutional Convention is not only unnecessary, but would also be an incredible waste of taxpayers’ money. Estimates of the total cost vary a little bit, but a convention would cost tens of millions of dollars that could be put to better use.
If this referendum passes, three delegates from each NY senate district plus 15 at-large delegates, 204 in total, would be elected in 2018. These delegates would each be paid $79,500, travel expenses, per diem an additions to their pensions for an unspecified amount of time.
There are already provisions on place for changes to be made to the constitution at no additional cost to taxpayers. For example this was recently done to allow the senate and legislature to go paperless at a large savings. The current process also has a built in system of checks and balances which gives the citizens of the state a say in the process.
Among other things protected by our current constitution, critical funding for public education and the decimation of environmental protections would be on the table at a Constitutional Convention.
The referendum is on the back of the ballot this year so please turn it over and vote “No” for a Constitutional Convention.
Celeste D’Amico
Skaneateles
Support for McCormack
To the editor:
I have known Kevin McCormack for over 30 years, and I recommend him highly for a seat on the Skaneateles Town Board. He would bring a wide knowledge of local and national law, and a strong fiscal responsibility to Town Board activities. What I like best about Kevin is his ability in solving problems. He can quickly find the root cause of a problem and propose reasonable and practical solutions. This ability will be paramount when considering issues we expect to encounter in lake management and zoning decisions in the future. I encourage your vote for him in November.
Hugh Hadley
Skaneateles
Vote for McCormack
To the editor:
We have known Kevin McCormack for almost 40 years, starting when he and his family and our family moved next door to each other to begin life in this great community. He has always made careful and thoughtful choices and sees all sides of an issue. Kevin is willing to listen to those with differing opinions from his own and actually considers them. He will work to keep expenses under control and keep property taxes low. In looking ahead, he is concerned about the future and wants to create a common vision and plan for it – while preserving what’s so treasured about Skaneateles. We hope you will make him a member of our town board on Nov. 7.
Charles and Nancy Williams
Skaneateles
Paduda for legislature
To the editor:
In the middle of the Great Depression, the U.S. created the Rural Electrification Administration, which provided funding and other assistance to rural areas, and provided electricity to parts of the country that had none. The result? American farms, which had lagged behind the rest of the world in terms of electrification, rapidly modernized and joined the global economy. With electricity and phone service provided by the REA, rural households had access to more information, faster.
Today, high-speed internet is the technological innovation that connects us to the rest of the world. But too many parts of Onondaga County are without a high-speed internet connection. Joe Paduda understands that high-speed internet access is not a frill: it is a necessity for our farms and small businesses to communicate with customers, for patients to stay in touch with their doctors, and for students to do their homework. Paduda knows the importance of high-speed internet for Onondaga County. He will make it a priority to fight for the resources and manpower to provide high-speed internet to all parts of the county. Access to communication and information should not be restricted based on address, it should be readily available to all county residents. Joe Paduda wants to make sure every Onondaga County resident can join the 21st century. Vote Joe Paduda for county legislature.
Jay Stith
Skaneteles
Paduda shows support for agriculture
To the editor:
Skaneateles Lake has been part of my family for over 200 years, since we started farming here. We and the other 40+ farms around the lake have worked hard to protect the Skaneateles lake watershed for all of us. We need to elect leaders who will do the same for our community.
Joe Paduda is the only Onondaga County Legislative candidate who has shown sincere interest in what the agricultural community around the Lake does to protect the environment. He has spent time on our farms, walked the land, seen our operations, and asked the right questions; he’s pushed for detailed answers. Joe has taken the time to understand what we’ve done to minimize runoff and keep nutrients in the ground and out of the Lake.
We need independent, smart and high-energy people representing us that are committed to working with and for our entire community.
I urge you to vote for Joe Paduda for Onondaga County Legislator on Nov. 7.
Jim “Skinny” Greenfield
Skaneateles
Support Tucker for town board
To the editor:
It is with great conviction that I support, and encourage you to support, Mark Tucker for the Skaneateles Town Board.
For 18 years, Mark and I have served on the Skaneateles Lake Watershed Agricultural Program (SLWAP), working closely together to protect the watershed and Skaneateles Lake. Mark has strived to implement and uphold the mission of the program which is “To carry out a cost-effective, innovative program for the farming community that upholds the high drinking water quality standards of Skaneateles Lake.”
The shared vision of SLWAP is for the Skaneateles lake watershed to be environmentally sound in which a viable agricultural industry, works closely with the community and all who benefit from the lake, to achieve the shared objective.
In 2014, Mark Tucker was awarded the Environmental Steward of the Year award. This honor demonstrates his passion and commitment to diligently implementing the mission and vision of the SLWAP. Mark continues to work collaboratively with all who benefit from our watershed to achieve a common goal – protecting the lake and our environment.
During my tenure as Skaneateles Town Board member, I also had the pleasure of working with Mark as he served as Chairman of the Town Planning Board. By serving in this role, Mark is more knowledge than most and can bring many years of experience to the table in the best interest of the Town of Skaneateles.
Mark is an upstanding member of our community and will make a great addition to the Board. Please join me in voting for Mark Tucker on Nov. 7.
Jim “Skinny” Greenfield
Skaneateles
The personal side of Mike Plochocki
To the editor:
We are longtime residents of the Town of Marcellus and wish to share with you our thoughts on the personal side of one of the candidates this year whom we know particularly well: County Legislator Mike Plochocki.
We have literally known Mike Plochocki since he was a toddler playing at our house with one of our daughters over 40 years ago. Mike’s parents are wonderful people and dear friends of ours. Thus, we have watched Mike grow up, become mayor of the village of Marcellus, and go on to become county legislator.
We recognize that many of your readers have met and/or know Mike and have dealt with him professionally over the years. They also may well know of his solid fiscally conservative voting record, including his leading role in the effort to cut county property taxes for six straight years that has resulted in a historic low tax rate in Onondaga County, and his votes against such things as all of the proposed pay raises for county legislators and the county executive. In addition, they may also know of the countless other things he has done for his district.
Your readers may not know, however, the personal side of Mike as we do. We can say without a doubt that Mike is a person of high moral character who was raised by parents of high moral character. Mike’s parents have spent their lives as extremely active volunteers in our community. Mike’s dad founded an annual youth fishing derby here in Marcellus nearly 30 years ago that is still going strong and in recent years has been named after him. Mike’s dad has attended every fishing derby, even in recent years in spite of being afflicted with advanced Parkinson’s disease. Mike has followed in his parents’ footsteps and continues their legacy by volunteering his time with nearly all of the activities in which his parents were involved.
In addition to his job as a county legislator, his law practice, and his volunteer work, Mike visits his parents on most days, and for years, has been helping his mother care for his father. In fact, until a few months ago, it was not an uncommon sight around Marcellus to see Mike pushing his father in a wheelchair at local stores and events, as the family wanted to keep Mike’s dad active in the community as long as possible. Early this summer, however, Mike’s dad suffered a serious stroke that, when combined with his advanced Parkinson’s and dementia, has left him bed-ridden and under the care of Hospice. The family is determined to keep Mike’s dad living at home as long as possible, and Mike continues to visit his parents on most days. Those who know Mike only through politics have no idea of this other side to him.
In short, we just wanted to let your readers know that we need more people in government like Mike Plochocki and urge them to cast their vote for Mike on Nov. 7.
John and Carolynn Longuil
Marcellus
Paduda for legislature
To the editor:
In March a study ranked the Syracuse area as dead last in economic opportunity. Dead last! Out of 100 cities in the county! Even in our region, other cities are seeing economic growth while we remain stagnant or lose ground. This is simply unacceptable. We have to hold our current leaders accountable for this failure.
Joe Paduda, candidate for county legislator in the 6th district, has talked at length about economic development. He calls for increased scrutiny on corporate tax breaks for hotel building or luxury student housing, streamlining the process for small businesses to get up and going, and investing in sectors that will bring in high-paying jobs like healthcare and technology jobs. He also calls for a renewed emphasis on helping farmers through promotion of locally growth food in county facilities and increased access to reliable internet.
Meanwhile, his opponent and six year incumbent has continually skipped economic development committee meetings and believes “There is no better way to promote economic development in the district, and throughout the state, for that matter, than to lower property taxes. Period.” While everyone wants lower taxes, people want good paying jobs and the ability to create their own business more. With such industrious and hardworking people making up Onondaga County strong business and job creation are the key to economic development!
We have given Mike Plochocki six years to promote his plan for economic development and what do we have to show for it? Dead last in economic opportunity. It is time for new blood, fresh ideas, and someone who will actually show up to work for us. For those reasons, I firmly support Joe Paduda for county legislature.
Nancy Bunn
Marcellus
Plochocki responds on attendance record
To The editor:
I was very disappointed to read in last week’s paper that my opponent, Joe Paduda, has resorted to negative attacks that are grossly misleading and clearly designed to deceive the public.
My opponent stated that “[Mike Plochocki’s] attendance record is … appalling … Mr. Plochocki missed two meetings of the Environmental Committee this summer, just before the toxic algal bloom in Skaneateles Lake – and he’s the Committee Chair. This is completely unacceptable.” Well that sounds pretty bad doesn’t it?
What my opponent fails to mention is that – according to the official records of the County Legislature – in six years, with the exception of those two meetings, I have a 100 percent attendance record on that committee! More precisely, I have attended 59 of 61 meetings! And why did I miss the two meetings? In one case I had a car break down and in the other it was due to health complications my father was having from his stroke this summer. Bear in mind, that Mr. Paduda is well aware of the facts of my attendance record, but he is intentionally presenting the “facts” in the most selective way to possible to be deceptive to the voters about my record.
Moreover, my opponent also conveniently omits that my attendance record on the Legislature’s Facilities Committee is 100 percent. He further omits that, barring one exception in six years, my attendance at all Special Sessions is 100 percent. He yet further omits that in 87 General Sessions over six years I have an attendance record of approximately 95 percent. He also entirely neglects to mention that out of all of these more than 150 General and Special Sessions and Environmental and Facilities Committee Meetings I’ve attended that the official records reflect that I was on-time for over 99 percent of the meetings! Even three months with having a leg with two broken bones did not hinder my attendance.
What my opponent does not omit to say is the selective “fact” that I have supposedly missed or been late to more than half of the Legislature’s Economic Development Committee meetings. And here’s the shocker … he once again is being deceptive. I’ve actually attended over 80 percent of those meetings! Over the six years, it was rare for any alleged “lateness” to be more than several minutes.
An irony in all of this is that I am currently the only legislator serving on three (as opposed to two) Legislative Committees and, thus, maintain an overall solid attendance record despite having more Committee assignments than any of the 17 legislators. Furthermore, none of all of this even scratches the surface of the countless caucuses and other meetings that legislators attend where attendance if not officially taken.
Why is my opponent trying to deceive you like this? Maybe he believes he can’t beat me in a campaign based on facts, but only one on distortions. I will leave that for you to decide.
Mike Plochocki
Onondaga County Legislator
Support for Plochocki
To the editor:
I am writing to endorse my good friend and colleague Mike Plochocki for County Legislator. Mike has responded quickly to every request I have made on behalf of the Town. He has repeatedly pursued and located funding for the Skaneateles Lake Association. Mike was instrumental in securing the County grant for our boat washing station. Mike is currently the chair of the County Environmental Committee. His concern for the environment and the Lake is at the forefront of his representation of us. Mike understands the importance of Skaneateles to the County both in terms of the lake and of the sales tax generation. Mike was very responsive to the recent algae bloom concerns. He took phone calls from me at any hour and was prepared to offer us emergency resources if the situation had gotten worse. Mike should be the clear choice in this election.
Jim Lanning
Skaneateles Town Supervisor
Tucker right for town board
To the editor:
I have known Mark Tucker and his family for over 35 years and strongly support his run for town board. Not only is he a neighbor, church member and friend, but we have worked together in community and town activities. He has successfully brought his fourth generation family farm into the 21 century as well as actively supported county and regional agricultural advancements. As a person of integrity he practices what he promotes; having placed over 160 acres of farmland into conservation easements, removed cattle grazing from pastures with watercourses leading to the lake, installed alternative energy systems for his farm and home and practices the Whole Farm Plan which was put together by the Skaneateles Lake Watershed Agriculture Program to protect the lake and community.
Much of my time in the town hall is spent on the opposite side of the table from Mark at planning board and ZBA meetings. He has served many years on both boards and has a strong working knowledge of the comprehensive plans as well as the zoning and subdivision laws. As chairperson of the planning board, he would take the time to be familiar with each case including countless hours outside the board room doing site visits, meeting with applicants and attending planning staff meeting so as to allow the process to run efficiently while assuring the residents of the town that all the regulations and requirements are being met on each application. He would allow all points of views to be expressed at meetings and not show bias to any one side. I can’t say that I always agreed with every decision he made, but I could respect the position he took.
I have heard some folks in town say he is too friendly to developers, approving their applications with disregard to the lake and environment. These comments are baseless. He has worked with applicants and developers to make sure they are following the letter of the law and has actually forced them to cut back or reshape their project to conform with the regulations and make for a better solution that become an asset in the town. On other projects he has discouraged developers for proceeding in that they were not a proper fit for the community.
I have worked with Mark on various Comprehensive Plan Committees over the past 20 years and admire the effort he has spent to understand and improve the Plan to achieve a balance in this community that highly protects the lake and watershed while looking to promote the economic factors that keeps the village and hamlets viable and improves the quality of life for all residents. He has helped the town shift from a Euclidean, sprawl oriented zoning to an open space and mixed use, new-urbanism zoning that will preserve the rural character of the town and strengthen the village and Hamlets. He has a good understanding of all the neighborhoods in this town.
Mark Tucker will be an asset on the town board as it modifies the current zoning and subdivision laws to bring them in line with the 2015 Joint Town and Village Comprehensive Plan. He strives to research any issues brought before him so he can make sound decisions that will benefit all residence and taxpayers, to maintain appropriate services and keep the Town fiscally sound. Please join me on Nov. 7 in voting for Mark Tucker for town board. You will be voting for integrity!
Bob Eggleston
Skaneateles
Re-elect Brace and Howard
to the editor:
I’m writing this letter in support of the Re-Election of Connie Brace and Claire Howard for the Skaneateles Town Board. I worked closely with both Connie & Claire on the Nursery School Project for several months. Both were responsive, thoughtful and easy to work with. I always felt as though my voice was being heard and if I had any questions they were right there to help me find the answers. In particular Connie was extremely valuable as she brought a vast knowledge to the project with her Architectural background. Her insight, and pro-active approach was invaluable and something that would be greatly missed if she was not on the board. Especially with several of the upcoming projects such as the future of the old rink, the remodel of the Sims Building, the solar panel farm, & possible water tower expansion. Clair brings a passion for our lake and watershed that is unparalleled. At a time when our lake is being threatened by invasive species and toxic algae, Claire is ready and willing to fight to the end to keep our lake clean & pure. It is also nice to have some diversity on the board. As a community we need to be sure that we are considering all view points on projects. Election day is November 7th, don’t forget to get out and VOTE, it’ your voice.
Courtney Alexander
Skaneateles
Paduda shows support for agriculture
To the editor:
Skaneateles Lake has been part of my family for over 200 years, since we started farming here. We and the other 40 plus farms around the lake have worked hard to protect the Skaneateles lake watershed for all of us. We need to elect leaders who will do the same for our community.
Joe Paduda is the only Onondaga County Legislative candidate who has shown sincere interest in what the agricultural community around the lake does to protect the environment. He has spent time on our farms, walked the land, seen our operations, and asked the right questions; he’s pushed for detailed answers. Joe has taken the time to understand what we’ve done to minimize runoff and keep nutrients in the ground and out of the lake.
We need independent, smart and high-energy people representing us that are committed to working with and for our entire community.
I urge you to vote for Joe Paduda for Onondaga County Legislator on Nov. 7.
Jim “Skinny” Greenfield
Skaneateles
