In Lysander, voters will elect two town board members, a highway superintendent, a town clerk and a town justice. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7. If you are unsure of your polling place, visit ongov.net/elections and click on “Polling Place” or call the Onondaga County Board of Elections at (315) 435-8683.
Gene Dinsmore (incumbent, Republican endorsed by Lysander Democratic Committee)
Biographical info:
My wife Joanne and I have four grown children and nine grandchildren. Except for the time I spent away in the Army, I have lived in Lysander since 1982. I am an enrolled Republican running on the Democratic ballot line.
Why are you running for office?
After five years on the job, I am running for reelection because I enjoy the work and believe that together with our crew, we are making a significant improvement in Lysander’s highway network.
Why are you the best candidate?
I believe that I offer the most complete candidacy due to my civilian and military education and the many years applying those skills in real-world situations.
What are the major issues facing the town, and what will you do to address them?
Lysander’s road mileage has doubled since the 1950s and our many housing developments are middle-aged. That necessitates a strong focus and mission orientation with an effective financial plan to mitigate our infrastructure deficiencies and outdated equipment fleet. I will continue working with the town engineer to strengthen our Cornell Pavement Management Plan and a practical equipment replacement schedule. We have worked together for five years ruffling each other occasionally, but always ending with a “Lysander First” attitude.
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Jerald Hole (challenger, Republican)
Biographical info:
My name is Jerald Hole and I am 57 years old. My wife Susan and I have been married for 37 years. We have two grown daughters, Michele and Stephanie.
In 2010, I retired from the Syracuse Fire Department as a lieutenant after 20 years of service. Our family established a small farm on Patchett Road in 1999. Our family-run farm has been successful with our daughters, their husbands and our grandson living in homes that we built right next to the farm.
I am a registered Republican. I have been endorsed by the Republican, Conservative and Independence parties, as well as the Onondaga County Veterans.
Why are you running for office?
With my strong family ties to our community, I have a vested interest in our town. During the 24 years that my family and I have lived in Lysander, there have been four highway superintendents. Over the last several years we have noticed the roads aren’t plowed as well as they used to be, especially this past winter. Sometimes our road was impassable and we saw our neighbors using their own plows to clear the snow. This is something that shouldn’t have to happen. The roadside mowing is barely done and ditch maintenance needs to be addressed.
I don’t fault the highway department members, as they do only as directed by the highway superintendent. I feel the highway department is improperly managed, which results in the lack of service to the community and costs the taxpayers money. The residents of Lysander deserve better and I believe as highway superintendent, I can make improvements that move the highway department in a positive forward direction.
Why are you the best candidate?
My 39 years of “hands on” experience is why I believe I am the best candidate for highway superintendent.
I am trained in heavy equipment operation, maintenance and repair. I am experienced in site work preparation for asphalt and concrete projects. I have hands-on experience with asphalt and oil and stone applications to private roads, laneways and driveways. I have experience with the snow plowing of residential driveways, commercial parking lots and private roads.
I have extensively worked with county, state and federal agencies on land improvement and drainage projects. I have vast experience and knowledge with cost estimates and budgets, along with employee and customer relations.
As a fire lieutenant, I was responsible for the management and training of the firefighters assigned to my company. My crew and I always worked together as a team in emergency situations in order to provide the highest level of service to the community. As a team, we also provided community relations in the neighborhoods teaching fire prevention and safety education.
My combined experience makes me a well-rounded candidate for highway superintendent. I ask for the support of our community on Election Day.
What are the major issues facing the town, and what will you do to address them?
I feel a major issue facing the town is getting the highway department back on track. By this I mean, getting a good working relationship between the highway superintendent and the highway department members along with a good working relationship between the highway superintendent and the town board members and town engineer. Currently there is turmoil in these areas and I feel I can make a positive change. The key is good communication amongst everyone. Once that is established, the highway department can work as a team to get the job done.
The safety of our town’s residents should be a priority. One way to achieve this is, snow removal needs to be done in a more timely manner and more often. The roadsides need to be mowed back more often in order to have good visibility at intersections and when pulling out of your driveway onto the road. The highway department members have the ability to achieve this — they just need a highway superintendent that will allow them to do their jobs.
The highway department members are a talented group of men. Their wealth of knowledge and experience is being underutilized. By utilizing their talents, more work can be done in house versus contracting with an outside vendor. This saves town tax dollars.
If elected as your next highway superintendent, I will assess the entire highway department to see where improvements can be made and make changes where necessary. Every town resident needs to know they can contact me with their questions and concerns and know that I will get answers for them in a timely manner. Again, I ask for your support on Election Day for town of Lysander highway superintendent.
