In the northern suburbs, voters will elect county legislators in the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and 14th legislative districts. Learn more about each candidate below. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7. 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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14th District (choose one):
Stefanie Heath (Democratic challenger)
Biographical info:
- Family – Michael Reinert – significant other
- Immediate family – Parents in Liverpool, sister in Bridgeport, brother in Liverpool, brother in Geneva
- Employed by The Humane Society of the United States
- Democrat
- 36
- 12 years in home in North Syracuse, born and raised in Liverpool
Why are you running for office?
I decided to run because I’m passionate about Central New York. I consider myself one of the lucky ones who was able to find a job in the area and stay near my family. Not everyone was that lucky. Many of my friends left the area because they were unable to find work. That leads me to another reason I’ve decided to run for county legislature. Taxes are too high. They chase people from the area and the elderly out of the homes they lived in for decades. I know we can do a better job. I’ve had personal experiences with the county legislature and instead of finding solutions, some of them were quick to just vote no. No should not always be the answer. I helped facilitate the Second Chance Canine Adoption Shelter at Jamesville Correctional Facility. I stood before the legislature imploring them to vote yes. I explained that this program will not only save taxpayers money, but will save both human lives and the lives of innocent homeless dogs. My opponent voted no; however, the program passed by majority. Since the inception of Second Chance, more than 100 dogs have been saved from euthanasia and literally dozens of inmates have completed the program. Not one inmate who went through the program has returned to Jamesville Correctional. It’s irrefutably a win-win cost-saving program.
Why are you the best candidate?
I know Central New York and the people who call this their home. I’ve spent my adult life working and volunteering in human and animal welfare. I have literally put my boots to the ground working to find solutions for the community. My experience comes from actually doing the work versus sitting in a room and making decisions from behind closed doors.
Unlike my opponent, I know how to meet the needs of veterans in our community. I know because we are a military family. Regardless of statements made by District 14’s current representation, veterans are not front and center. His voting history has proven that. I’m the best candidate because I will advocate for veterans and seniors.
I’m the best candidate because my proven problem solving abilities will foster cost-effective solutions and not complacency. I’m not a career politician nor do I work for an organization that gains from my civic endeavors. I’m the best candidate because my allegiance is purely with the community and not tied up in political and/or financial relationships.
What are the major issues facing the district and what will you do to address them?
Like most towns, taxes are a concern. We see taxes go up, but we’re not reaping the benefits. I’m not afraid to ask the questions in regards to how our taxes are being used. With transparency and accountability, I will do everything in my power to keep taxes flat. The area has been impacted by the opioid crisis. This will not be remedied by any one group. We must tackle this epidemic by partnering with law enforcement, health care professionals, community leaders and legislators. Our county legislators can no longer ignore this, and I intend to create conversation around this issue. The voters are yearning for representation that will create jobs and a thriving community. The voters in District 14 have shown an overwhelming support for projects like the amphitheater and the loop around Onondaga Lake. Recreational opportunities not only foster a chance to connect with our family and friends, but it allows for economic growth as well.
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Casey Jordan (Republican incumbent)
Biographical info:
I recently turned 56 years of age and have been married for the past 24 years to Carla Brigandi Jordan. Together we have raised three wonderful children, James C. Gentile, Alyson M. Jordan and Brian C. Jordan.
I am currently self-employed with the law firm of Jordan Law Offices, a general practice law firm practicing in the areas of matrimonial and family, real estate, estate planning and probate, criminal and general civil litigation matters.
I was born and raised in Central New York, graduated from Liverpool High School and have resided in my present home in the town of Clay with my wife and family for the past 18 years.
I previously served on the Town of Clay Planning Board and was appointed to the Onondaga County Legislature by former County Executive Nicholas Pirro in November 2006. It has been my honor and privilege to represent and serve the residents of the 14th Legislative District, and all of Onondaga County, for the past 11 years.
I am a registered Republican and presently have the Republican, Conservative and Independence lines on the November ballot, as well as the endorsements of the Onondaga County Veteran’s Party and the Onondaga County Libertarian Party.
Why are you running for office?
I, like many, for years complained about government being broken, our representatives not being the voice of their constituents, our governments heading in the wrong direction and how our governments do not listen to the will and opinions of the people. In 2006 I was then given the opportunity to help change government and to remedy the wrongs that I had been complaining about for so many years, by joining the Onondaga County Legislature.
Since entering office, I have knocked on the doors of and have spoken and communicated with thousands of my constituents, who have universally stressed the need to reduce property taxes, encourage job creation, stop wasteful spending and to listen to the people. During the time that I have been in office, I have therefore steadfastly scrutinized every expenditure of county government and have fought against expenditures that I did not believe were necessary, wise or appropriate, at the time or at all. I have also fought hard to reduce the size and scope of government and have opposed efforts to expand county government.
While in office I have also listened to and surveyed my constituents to determine what is important to them, so as to ensure that I am, in fact, carrying out their wishes and being a faithful and accurate voice for my constituency.
As a result of my efforts, the county tax levy is the lowest it has been in more than 50 years and the size of county government has been substantially reduced. Nevertheless, a great deal more needs to be done. We need to continue our efforts to make Central New York as business-friendly as possible in order to attract new employers offering new well-paying, full-time jobs to our community. We must also look more intensely at finding ways to reduce the ever-increasing cost of county government.
I believe that I have been a major factor in effectuating the positive changes that have occurred in Onondaga County government and have been a strong force against needless and wasteful spending. My job is not done, however, and it is my wish and desire to continue my efforts to make Central New York fiscally sound, financially prudent and economically vibrant. That is why I am running for re-election.
Why are you the best candidate?
As previously stated, I believe that I have been an instrument of change in the county legislature by opposing unnecessary spending, by scrutinizing and questioning every expenditure and by advocating against expenditures that I did not believe were necessary or wise, at that time or at all. I have routinely pressed people to search for alternate sources for funding their initiatives, other than on the taxpayer dime, and insisted that every expenditure be explained and justified. If a sufficient justification for spending taxpayer dollars was not been provided, then I have refused to support the proposed expenditure. It is much too easy to spend other people’s (i.e., the taxpayer’s) money. I have therefore made it my goal to be as tight with the taxpayer dollar as anyone can be, to encourage my fellow legislators to be similarly frugal with taxpayer dollars and to remind them of their duty to the people of Onondaga County to keep property taxes low and to avoid needless, unnecessary and wasteful spending.
Some in the legislature approach spending as an automatic “yes” unless there is some reason to vote “no.” I on the other hand, am an automatic “no” when it comes to spending taxpayer dollars, unless the case is made and I am convinced that the proposed expenditure is reasonable, justified and in the best interest of the taxpayers of Onondaga County. I also insist that we always get the “best bang” for the taxpayer buck.
I take my responsibilities to my constituents extremely seriously and am a constant advocate for carrying out their wishes and accomplishing their stated goals. I will continue to advocate for my constituency for so long as I have the honor of serving them.
What are the major issues facing the district, and what will you do to address them?
Jobs, the economy and public safety are the major issues presently facing our county. In order to improve the local economy and create new jobs we must focus on making Central New York as attractive to businesses as possible, getting them to locate and expand here. And while we are seriously handicapped by policies emanating from Albany, which make New York one of the least attractive states to do business in, we also have one of, if not the best, work forces in the country, high quality and respected educational institutions, abundant water and other natural resources, numerous attractions and some of the most beautiful scenery and countryside in the country, if not the world. We must therefore redouble our efforts to market our community and sell the many attributes that Central New has to offer to potential employers.
Among other things, we must complete the process of making the White Pines Industrial Park as “turn-key” as possible, so that all of the infrastructure that will be needed by a potential employer is readily available to tie into. We must also continue to make the process of setting up business in Central New York as simple, straightforward and expeditious as possible.
It is also important that we focus less on economic development which generates sale tax revenues, and more on economic development that attracts employers offering full-time, well-paying, jobs and encourages the expansion of the business operations of present employers looking to grow their business and expand their workforce.
Lastly, we must advocate for and put pressure on our state representatives to have the state assume full responsibility for the cost of state programs and economic policies, which place an enormous and inordinate burden on local taxpayers.
With a fully employed workforce and a strong local economy offering opportunities to everyone there is less of an impetuous to commit crimes or to engage in criminal activities, thus improving public safety. Nevertheless, we must insure that our men and women in uniform have the resources that they need to keep themselves and our community safe and to protect our citizens.
