In the Baldwinsville area, voters will elect two county legislators: one in the First District and one in the 13th District. Learn more about each candidate below. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7. Please note that incumbent 13th District County Legislator Derek Shepard did not return his questionnaire, as he has suspended his campaign after losing in the Republican primary to Ken Bush. To determine your polling place, visit ongov.net/elections/index.html and click on “Polling Place Locator” or call the Onondaga County Board of Elections at (315) 435-8683.
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First District (choose one)
Brian F. May (Republican incumbent)
Biographical information:
I’ve been married to my wife Gina for 23 years, we have four children — a college freshman, sophomore and junior, and a sophomore at Baker High School. I was born on the North Side of Syracuse, grew up in Liverpool, worked on a Baldwinsville farm as a teenager and have lived here since 2001.
Professionally, I have spent my entire career has been spent in the private sector in business development and marketing management roles. I have a bachelor’s degree in marketing and business management.
I am proud to be the endorsed Republican incumbent candidate. I am also honored by endorsements from the Conservative and Independence parties, as well as the Veterans Party of Onondaga County.
Why are you running for office?
First and foremost, I believe in public service. Whether it’s coaching kids, volunteering for a booster club or holding public office, giving back is a very important principle to my entire family and me. The simple truth is I love our community and have always considered it a privilege to serve. I believe I can, and do, make a positive difference — I have proven this across the entire body of work I have accumulated in public service.
Why are you the best candidate?
There is nothing fancy about my approach to local government — I roll up my sleeves and do the work. My platform is simple and based on traditional values and priorities — small government, fiscal conservatism, prudent economic investment and the public’s safety and well-being.
When I first ran for office, I promised to work hard, be informed on the issues, be engaged in the community and willing to make the tough decisions. I have delivered ever since.
My resume is conspicuously void of politics, but there is an abundance of accomplishments that seem to be valued to my constituents. When I left town government, I was proud of my leadership role the town’s enviable position of having the 39th lowest spending per capita among NY’s 908 towns. Every year since joining the legislature, as a member of Ways and Means, I have had a significant role in reducing the local cost of county government by reducing the tax rate, property tax levy or both — without diminishing core services and while maintaining one of the best bond ratings in New York. As chairman of Public Safety for the legislature, I am especially proud of the collaborative relationship I have built with the Sheriff’s Department, which is on the verge of its third consecutive balanced budget following more than a decade of substantial budget piercings.
What are the major issues facing the district? How will you address them?
There are many substantial issues facing county government — water quality, infrastructure, opioid addition and never-ending, constantly-increasing mandated programs and expenses are just a few examples. Despite these many serious challenges, however, politics may be Public Enemy Number One. I’m not interested in who’s right and who’s wrong; the only thing that matters is doing the right things for taxpayers. As always, I promise to continue fighting to keep taxpayers’ needs at the forefront of the legislative process.
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13th District (Choose one)
Ken Bush (Republican)
Biographical info:
I have been a lifelong resident of the area, having graduated from Jordan-Elbridge High School, Denison University and Simmons Institute of Mortuary Science. My wife Justine and I have five children, five grandchildren and we own and operate the Bush Funeral Home. I am a registered Republican and have been endorsed by the Republican Party, Conservative Party and Onondaga County Veterans party.
Why are you running for office?
The 13th Legislative District is a rural/suburban district comprised of three towns, three villages, several hamlets, many historical properties, some of the best farms in Central New York and dozens of small businesses that make up the economic fiber of the community as well as three school districts. It is important residents of the 13th district continue to have the right to make decisions on the local level that affect their quality of life. As a town supervisor for the past 15 years, I have developed a passion for local government and the services provided to residents. I pledge to support the towns and villages in the 13th District and throughout Onondaga County because the citizens deserve the best possible government and it starts at the level nearest to the people.
Why are you the best candidate?
My experience as a town councilor and town supervisor as well as many community activities (head of the library board, Memorial Day chair, food pantry volunteer, Turkey Trot volunteer, chair of Fall Festival, former member of Rotary, among others) have provided me with an opportunity to serve the community and has given me a broad background in the needs and concerns of the area residents. Also, I have the time, availability, and desire needed to be a strong independent voice for people in the 13th.
What are the major issues facing the district? What will you do to address them?
Economic growth and jobs are concerns we all face every day. The last eight years have been very difficult, especially for upstate residents. New York state must share much of the blame because of tax policies and abundance of over regulations.
The Medicaid tax burden on counties must be removed. (New York is the only state in the union that charges back part of the Medicaid costs to the county taxpayers). The county and state must work to have land and sites readily available for companies to expand or relocate here. A sales tax revenue sharing plan that is fair to the local governments needs to be put in place.
A revenue sharing formula should be designed to support communities that have local police departments. The local police departments provide the first line of public safety and they also take a huge burden off the Onondaga County Sheriff Department and New York State Troopers. The concept of shared services is nothing new to most local towns, villages and schools. It has been going on for years and I will continue to support those efforts.
