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.
Third District (choose one):
Tim Burtis (Republican incumbent)
Biographical info:
My wife, Chris, and I have been married for 24 years and make our home in Brewerton along with our two sons, Theo (age 18), and Alex (age 15). I have been a life-long resident of New York and a resident of the town of Cicero for 33 years. In addition to being blessed with a wonderful and supportive family, I have a very rewarding job in lending at Empower Federal Credit Union. This position enables me to keep in touch with my community by working with the finances of residents and small business owners daily. It also allows me flexibility in my schedule to address the needs of my constituents as they arise.
I am a lifelong registered Republican. In addition to winning the support of my own party every time I have run for office, I am honored to once again earn the support of the Independence Party. On Nov. 7 I will appear on both the Republican and Independence party ballot lines.
Why are you running for office?
Serving my community has been a life-long priority for me. I spent much of my life volunteering: from my youthful days helping my grandparents at church, coaching youth basketball or later serving as a trustee, I have always liked to be involved. Now I am serving in local government. First at the Cicero Town Board and now at the Onondaga County Legislature, I have always believed that I should use my skills to serve others.
Why are you the best candidate?
During the past two years and especially the last several months, I have spoken with hundreds of Third District constituents and I am humbled that so many of them are happy with the job I am doing as their legislator. Each year, I work hard to ensure the county budget we pass decreases the amount of money we collect from residents while still providing the services that we need.
This year the legislature cut county taxes for 2018! The tax levy will be $5.05 per $1,000 of assessed value. This is the lowest it has been in a long time.
During the budget process, I fought and was successful in cutting taxes while reinstating money that was taken out of the 2018 budget for mosquito spraying of the Cicero Swamp by the health department. Services that are critical to the health and well-being of residents cannot be compromised, even though we are trying to be fiscally prudent.
Having built a successful career in finance, I am very comfortable with numbers and financials, which is useful when dealing with a $1 billion dollar annual budget. Every year we at the Legislature ask department heads to do more with less.
I am the current vice chair of the Health Committee and vice chair of the Environmental Protection Committee. I also serve on the Onondaga County Fisheries Advisory Board, the NYS DEC Region 7 Fish and Wildlife Management Board and the Cornell Cooperative Extension Board. My knowledge of the issues is current; my experience in government administration is broad.
What are the major issues facing the district and what will you do to address them?
Taxes, jobs, infrastructure and ethics are on everyone’s mind. Here are a few things that I have accomplished while at the legislature:
- Secured $123,000 for EEE sprayings that has protected the health of the people of Cicero, Minoa and Manlius.
- Co-sponsored a successful resolution that secured $150,000 to assist in the fight against illegal drugs (includes heroin, prescription drugs and synthetic marijuana)
- Co-sponsored a successful resolution to request New York State to adopt special legislation regarding human trafficking.
- Co-sponsored a successful resolution to request New York state to adopt a new SAFE Act to limit the application of that law to the counties of Kings, Queens, Richmond, New York and the Bronx only.
- Secured $45,000 and $75,000 for the Brewerton revitalization project.
- Secured $225,000 and $250,000 for support of green and innovative infrastructure projects, making improvements to the wastewater treatment plants that serve the town of Cicero.
- Co-sponsored a local law amending the Onondaga County charter for the five full-time elected officials at the county holding positions and making income from sources other than the county. This law passed and addressed the possibility for conflicts of interest and created a solution of those conflicts for the five full-time elected.
Over the next two years I will continue to fight to lower taxes and provide well thought out plans for economic development. I will also continue the fight for ethics reform to stop waste and corruption in local government.
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Pete Ludden (Democratic challenger)
Biographical info:
I am 56 years old, married to Tara Ludden for 23 years. We have four boys, ages 30, 22, 18 and 9. I have lived in Cicero for the past 21 years (30 years overall). I am a registered Democrat and have the Open Government Party line as well. Currently I am employed by the New York State United Teachers as a labor relations specialist. After a 26-year career with NYSUT, I will be retiring Dec. 1, 2017.
Why are you running for office?
The manner in which the county legislature has conducted business in recent years is on concern to me. Much of the time the majority caucus has made decisions impacting the county with little or no discussion with the minority caucus. Additionally, many decisions are made without any opportunity for public comment. This lack of democratic process is troubling and a main part of my decision to run for county legislature. Additionally, I am deeply concerned with the lack of economic development taking place in our community.
Why are you the best candidate?
Since moving back to Cicero in 1996, I have been involved in community activities in many ways. I have been a Little League coach, a Cub Scout Leader, active in Sacred Heart Church (as a Lector, Eucharistic minister, Teen Life Core leader and alter server at funerals) and involved with the school ice hockey and baseball programs. I have been and continue to be committed to our community. Additionally, advocacy is my life’s work. My entire adult life has been dedicated to being a voice for students, patients, workers and their families. Further, throughout my career with NYSUT, I have worked with people who have opposite opinions from me on many issues; yet, I have always been able to bridge the gap separating us and come to equitable resolutions to any matters we address. Being able to work with people who have different a thought on issues is a critical skill these days, particularly in the political realm.
What are the major issues facing the district, and what will you do to address them?
As a county legislature, we must look at the impact that the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) program is having on our economic development. As the program stands now, it is placing too much of a tax burden on the members of the community, with limited positive impact on our economy and employment opportunities. One method of addressing that would be to require any recipient of a PILOT to commit to staying in the community for an equal number of years as they received in the PILOT. We cannot continue to commit to major businesses by awarding a PILOT, or maintain tax exempt status, without receiving a commitment to our community in return.
A second issue facing our county is the opioid epidemic. This is an issue facing every town in our county. We have to do more in the area of education as well as providing opportunities for treatment — immediate entry into treatment programs from emergency rooms. The current lack of programs and ability of doctors to prescribe the necessary medications allows, if not encourages, those who have an addiction to continue down the path of that addiction.
