Per Eagle Newspapers’ longstanding policy, we do not publish election letters in the print edition the week prior to the election, but we will share letters that did not make the print edition online.

Challenger Field project

To the editor:

On October 6, 2014 I attended a meeting of the DeWitt Town Board to oppose the town’s issuing $4 Million in general obligation bonds for Challenger Field of Dreams. I supported the construction of the field and the town’s investment in it.  However the project came with excessive risk because the board accepted without question hopeful projections of donations, grants, revenue and costs from unqualified people who wanted the project to succeed. I likened this to the Cicero Commons project which nearly bankrupt that town in 2009.

After five years the project is still not finished.  What has been done does not meet the standards of AAU  “travel teams” that generate hotel tax revenue. Grants and donations have not materialized and the town is paying bond interest using funds from the rainy day reserve fund.

At that meeting Supervisor Ed Michalenko promised me and the people of DeWitt that “It will never fall on the backs of the DeWitt Taxpayers” and “I stake my re-election on this”. He has betrayed his promise and does not deserve re-election.

Peter Baskin

DeWitt

Waters for town board

To the editor:

We write with an endorsement of Heather Waters for Manlius Town Board—our friend, neighbor, and colleague. Heather will be positive and persistent in addressing issues that matter to the residents of Fayetteville, Kirkville, Manlius, and Minoa. She works tirelessly to educate herself on issues for our Town, including: tick disease prevention, zoning, the assessment process, water and sewer issues; and where the villages and the Town overlap. Heather not only cares about our Town and its residents, she is experienced in bringing people together to establish common ground. Heather’s professional work is to secure private and foundation dollars through gifts and grants, a timely skill-set to have on our side as towns face reductions in traditional New York State aid.

Lhee Matundan, RN, Fayetteville

Michaline Younis, Kirkville Amy and Brandon Kruse, Manlius

Marzola thanks residents for their support

To the editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow residents for the sincere and thoughtful courtesies you have extended me during my town councilor re-election campaign. It has been my profound pleasure to visit thousands of your homes to present my candidacy to you.

I am a certified public accountant and responsive, proven executive with over 35 years of diverse finance, operations and governmental management experience. I provide your town board with a unique set of credentials and business skills that differentiate me from my opponents and ensures that our towns budgetary, fiscal, operations and planning decisions are assessed in a progressive, creative and responsive manner.

I believe in community service, having previously served as a Village of Manlius trustee and member of its planning and zoning boards.

As your Finance & Budget Committee chair, I am focused to ensure that the community services you desire are both maximized and provided efficiently, timely and cost effectively. Despite mandated cost increases and NYS aid reductions, your board has succeeded in its mission to expend your tax dollars prudently and maintain a stable tax rate.  We have consistently been below the NYS tax cap. Your 2019 tax rate is below the 2014 rate.

Working together as a team, your board has accomplished so much for our town, including a stable tax rate, an accredited police department with enhanced SIRO services, an exemplary highway department, great recreational programs, resident-centric technology improvements, deer management and a planning committee, just to name a few. Seamless community-based services.

With your support I can build on those accomplishments, continue to provide quality service and ensure that our town continues as a great place to live, raise a family and recreate.

It is my profound honor to serve you. I sincerely cherish the confidence and trust you have placed in me. I respectfully ask for your vote on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

I pledge to you my unwavering support, steadfast commitment and focused effort. I am the right choice to ensure the continued prosperity and excellence of our town.

Nicholas J. Marzola, CPA

Manlius Town Councilor

Challenger Field project

To the editor:

On October 6, 2014 I attended a meeting of the DeWitt Town Board to oppose the town’s issuing $4 Million in general obligation bonds for Challenger Field of Dreams. I supported the construction of the field and the town’s investment in it.  However the project came with excessive risk because the board accepted without question hopeful projections of donations, grants, revenue and costs from unqualified people who wanted the project to succeed. I likened this to the Cicero Commons project which nearly bankrupt that town in 2009.

After five years the project is still not finished.  What has been done does not meet the standards of AAU  “travel teams” that generate hotel tax revenue. Grants and donations have not materialized and the town is paying bond interest using funds from the rainy day reserve fund.

At that meeting Supervisor Ed Michalenko promised me and the people of DeWitt that “It will never fall on the backs of the DeWitt Taxpayers” and “I stake my re-election on this”. He has betrayed his promise and does not deserve re-election.

Peter Baskin

DeWitt

Waters for town board

To the editor:

We write with an endorsement of Heather Waters for Manlius Town Board—our friend, neighbor, and colleague. Heather will be positive and persistent in addressing issues that matter to the residents of Fayetteville, Kirkville, Manlius, and Minoa. She works tirelessly to educate herself on issues for our Town, including: tick disease prevention, zoning, the assessment process, water and sewer issues; and where the villages and the Town overlap. Heather not only cares about our Town and its residents, she is experienced in bringing people together to establish common ground. Heather’s professional work is to secure private and foundation dollars through gifts and grants, a timely skill-set to have on our side as towns face reductions in traditional New York State aid.

Lhee Matundan, RN, Fayetteville

Michaline Younis, Kirkville Amy and Brandon Kruse, Manlius

Marzola thanks residents for their support

To the editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow residents for the sincere and thoughtful courtesies you have extended me during my town councilor re-election campaign. It has been my profound pleasure to visit thousands of your homes to present my candidacy to you.

I am a certified public accountant and responsive, proven executive with over 35 years of diverse finance, operations and governmental management experience. I provide your town board with a unique set of credentials and business skills that differentiate me from my opponents and ensures that our towns budgetary, fiscal, operations and planning decisions are assessed in a progressive, creative and responsive manner.

I believe in community service, having previously served as a Village of Manlius trustee and member of its planning and zoning boards.

As your Finance & Budget Committee chair, I am focused to ensure that the community services you desire are both maximized and provided efficiently, timely and cost effectively. Despite mandated cost increases and NYS aid reductions, your board has succeeded in its mission to expend your tax dollars prudently and maintain a stable tax rate.  We have consistently been below the NYS tax cap. Your 2019 tax rate is below the 2014 rate.

Working together as a team, your board has accomplished so much for our town, including a stable tax rate, an accredited police department with enhanced SIRO services, an exemplary highway department, great recreational programs, resident-centric technology improvements, deer management and a planning committee, just to name a few. Seamless community-based services.

With your support I can build on those accomplishments, continue to provide quality service and ensure that our town continues as a great place to live, raise a family and recreate.

It is my profound honor to serve you. I sincerely cherish the confidence and trust you have placed in me. I respectfully ask for your vote on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

I pledge to you my unwavering support, steadfast commitment and focused effort. I am the right choice to ensure the continued prosperity and excellence of our town.

Nicholas J. Marzola, CPA

Manlius Town Councilor