LETTER: Hole asks for your vote

To the editor:

My name is Jerald Hole and I am a first-time candidate running for the position of Lysander highway superintendent. I am a registered Republican and I have been endorsed by the Republican, Conservative and Independence parties, as well as the Onondaga County Veterans.

I have lived in the town of Lysander for more than 24 years. Over the last several years, I have noticed our town roads have not been plowed as well or as often as they used to be. The roadsides aren’t mowed as often as they used to be. And the maintenance of the roadside ditches could be better. So I asked myself … what has changed? Our highway department is a group of experienced men. They have all been in their positions for years. They all know their jobs. I believe it comes back to the leadership of the highway department. Ineffective leadership results in a lack of services to the town taxpayers, but more importantly it affects the safety of every Lysander resident plus anyone traveling through our beautiful town on our roads.

It’s time for change. Change is needed to restore a good working relationship between the superintendent and the members of the highway department. Change is needed to restore good communication between the superintendent and the town board. Change is needed to ensure the safety of our town roads.

If elected as your next highway superintendent, I will put my 39 years of hands-on experience to work for the residents of Lysander. I went to school for heavy equipment operation, maintenance and repair, which also included surveying and site development. I have experience in all phases of residential and light commercial construction; hands-on experience with asphalt and oil and stone applications; I have extensively worked with county, state and federal agencies on land improvement and drainage projects. My other experience includes cost estimates, budgets, project scheduling and employee and customer relations. The Lysander Highway Department members are part of the teamsters union, and I feel that my knowledge and experience of being part of a union while with the Syracuse Fire Department (Local 280) and that I also served on the union’s executive board will be an asset to as highway superintendent.

I am committed to improving our town as highway superintendent. I ask for your support this Election Day. Please get out and vote on Nov. 7.