The 2019 general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

For this fall’s general election, voters in Onondaga County will be able to cast their ballots at six early voting sites across the county between Oct. 26 and Nov. 3.

The early polling places will be located at Clay Town Hall, DeWitt Town Hall, LaFayette Fire Station 1, Van Buren Town Hall, Armond Magnarelli Community Center and Southwest Community Center, the latter two of which are in the city of Syracuse.

Visit ongov.net/elections for more information on early voting hours and locations. Contact the Onondaga County Board of Elections at 315-435-8683 or the New York State Board of Elections at 518-474-1953 or elections.ny.gov.

In the town of Lysander, there are three candidates for town supervisor (choose one), two candidates for town justice (choose one) and four candidates for Lysander Town Board (vote for two). There are two candidates for the Onondaga County Legislature’s 1st District.

Read on for the candidates’ profiles. Candidates are listed alphabetically.

Onondaga County Legislature: 1st District (Town of Lysander)

Brian F. May (incumbent)

Republican, Conservative, Independence

Brief bio (e.g. education, work experience, community involvement, family):

I grew up in Liverpool, worked on Emmi’s Farm in high school and moved to Lysander when my wife and I started our family. We have four kids who are the pride of our existence. Professionally, I am the CEO of a local financial institution. I’ve spent my entire career in the private sector.

Political affiliation/experience:

Former Lysander town councilor, former chairman of the Legislature’s Public Safety and Ways & Means committees. Last fall, I was unanimously elected Majority Leader by colleagues.

Why are you running for office?

Each member of the legislature brings something meaningful to our process. In my case, private-sector experience benefits our budget development and policy-making. It also enabled me to lead in the delivery of improved property tax rates, levies, or both, each year I’ve held public office. These results may lack political sex appeal, but residents seem to appreciate my simple approach regardless of their politics. I will fight for these results as long as I am privileged to serve.

What are the main issues affecting your constituents and what do you plan to do about them if elected?

As a dynamic $1.3 billion enterprise, every facet of county government faces unique challenges relevant to my constituents, I take these concerns very seriously. As a policy-maker and leader of my caucus, my performance is proven, especially with respect to fiscal stewardship and our historically low tax rate and levy. If re-elected, I will continue to improve these results.

Justin Neal (challenger)

Democrat, Working Families Party

Brief bio:

I grew up in Liverpool and learned to love our community and help others when, in high school, I began working in a pharmacy. I received my PharmD from Albany College of Pharmacy and my MBA from Syracuse University. Since then, I have managed teams in dozens of pharmacies across three states. I now work with a specialty pharmacy that assists patients dealing with chronic diseases.

Political affiliation/experience:

I pledge to be an independent voice: one who will rise above political affiliations to do what is right for our community. I have never held elected office but will act as a dependable advocate for CNY because I believe in the place I call home.

Why are you running for office?

I believe the people of the first district deserve a choice. We have had the same, uncontested representation for the last eight years. We have real challenges in our community: poverty, the opioid epidemic, animal welfare, and the need for a more accessible and accountable government. I am running to improve the lives of the people of our county. Motivation matters and that is why I will donate the roughly $30,000 salary of a county legislator to causes of the first district.

What are the main issues affecting your constituents and what do you plan to do about them if elected?

We need to keep our community affordable, and this is why I support passing more of the county sales tax directly to the towns so they can spend it as they see fit. We need to address our socioeconomic issues that have plagued our county. I support animal welfare and have committed to reintroducing animal welfare laws like the one my opponent opposed that would have helped protect dogs tied up in extreme weather without shelter. I support allowing more early voting sites and that fair elections mean taking the politics out of drawing election districts and support non-partisan redistricting. In short, we need fresh perspective.

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Lysander Town Justice

Charles J. Mantione Jr. (incumbent)

Republican, Conservative, Independence

Brief bio (e.g. education, work experience, community involvement, family):

I have been your town justice since 2012 and I am seeking re-election. I am a member of both the Onondaga County and New York State Magistrates Associations. In addition to being town judge, I work as a senior attorney in the adjudication department of the New York State Workers Compensation Board.

Political affiliation/experience:

I am the current Lysander town justice with endorsements from the Republican, Conservative, and Independence parties.

Why are you running for office?

Serving as your town judge has been both professionally and personally rewarding. Although litigation of any kind will always have its winners and losers, the parties are much more likely to respect the outcome if the process is one of integrity and fairness. As your town justice, I have and will always do my part to reinforce these principles.

What are the major issues facing the town, and what will you do to address them?

Judicial campaign ethics do not let me comment on specific issues or views of these issues. I can comment on what I have accomplished as your town justice. While serving as town judge, I have increased the technological capabilities of the court office by expanding the information on the court’s website and developing an avenue for citizens to pay fines online. In addition, I secured a grant for $30,000 to update the courtroom. These updates include a centralized court office/pay window, a holding room for safe detaining of defendants that are transported from the Justice Center on court nights, and a handicap accessible ramp. These updates allowed the court to be in compliance with both the Unified Court Security Assessment and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Timothy F. McMahon (challenger)

Democrat

Brief bio:

My wife, Sally, and I are longtime Baldwinsville residents. We have three children who all attended Baldwinsville schools. I am a member of the Baldwinsville First United Methodist Church.
I graduated from Lehigh University, worked in the General Electric Financial Management Program and received my law degree from SUNY Buffalo. Since 1984 I have maintained a Baldwinsville law practice providing civil and criminal legal services including felony and misdemeanor level jury trials.

Political affiliation/experience:

I am a Democrat.

Every year since 2003 I have accepted an appointment as an acting justice for the village of Baldwinsville. Along with many other town and village justices, I am also a presiding judge of the Central Arraignment Part (CAP) Court in Syracuse, conducting criminal arraignments on behalf of the town and village courts as well as the Syracuse City Court.

Why are you running for office?

As a self-employed attorney I control my own schedule and can make the Lysander court more accessible. As I have done with the Baldwinsville court, I will be available for daytime court matters, including warrant requests by law enforcement, small claims matters, evictions and felony hearings. I am ready for the challenges of the new laws affecting the justice courts including the “Raise the Age” legislation, landmark changes to the New York landlord and tenant laws and the new Bail Reform Act. I hope to make a positive contribution to my community doing work that I enjoy.

What are the issues affecting your constituents and what do you plan to do about them if elected?

I believe that residents want an available court where decisions are reached in a professional, fair-minded and impartial manner. This I plan to do.

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Lysander Town Supervisor

Kevin A. Rode (challenger)

Democrat

Brief bio (e.g. education, work experience, community involvement, family):

I am 43 years old. I work for Solvents & Petroleum Service in Syracuse. I grew up in Lysander and have lived here almost my entire life.

Why are you running for office?

I am running for town supervisor because I care about our community and the direction it is heading. I have attended almost every town board meeting for over eight years. My opponents will have spent over $20,000 combined to run for town supervisor this year. Is that what Lysander needs? I do not ask others for money when I run for office. I am running to better the community that I call home.

From operating KR Sports in Tri-County Mall, being an Operations Manager overseeing 60 employees across the Northeast, and managing the Dry-Cleaning Division at my current job, I have learned a multitude of skills to deal with many different issues and many types of people. These skills, coupled with my years of paying close attention to our Town Government, make me the best candidate for the job.

What are the issues affecting your constituents and what do you plan to do about them if elected?

Our current town board went forward with construction of the spray park even after a bipartisan effort that included candidates Gail, Jeff, Gene, several other concerned residents, and myself carried petitions to force a public vote on bonding for the project, which would voters would reject. Mismanaged incentive zoning payments, “in lieu of parks” payments from previous developments that were never paid to the town, spray park cost overruns. These are just a few of the issues that I have room to explain. We need an adept town board, and town supervisor, that will fix these issues and make our local government run smoothly.

Find out more about me on Facebook at: Kevin Rode for Lysander Town Supervisor.

Joseph P. Saraceni (incumbent)

Independence

Brief bio:

It’s been a privilege serving as your town supervisor over the last three-and-a-half years. Having grown up in Baldwinsville, after graduating from the University of Tennessee and working three years in Washington, D.C., I wanted to return home to raise my family.

Political affiliation/experience:

The 11-years I served Baldwinsville as trustee and mayor afforded me the honor of working as a team with board members whose differing political affiliations were entirely insignificant when promoting shared community goals. We were able to accomplish projects that truly improved quality of life and had positive impacts on residents and visitors. For example, we created a Downtown Redevelopment Plan still utilized today, created the Greater Baldwinsville Community Benefit Fund generating thousands of dollars for the community, among others. Engaged citizens dedicating time in public service can positively impact a community.

What are the issues affecting your constituents and what do you plan to do about them if elected?

During my first term as supervisor, I focused on steps that put us on firm financial ground. We cut debt by 47% and boast the lowest town tax rate in Onondaga County. I identified over $2.2M in grants utilizing existing relationships to address infrastructure needs, including $460,000 to repair a decaying culvert under Willett Parkway and fog lines on Drakes Landing. We made town hall safer and more user friendly.

Going forward, I will maintain our low tax rate while focusing on initiatives to maintain and enhance our quality of life.

Local government has the potential to be efficient, accessible, and accountable to constituents, and has an immediate impact on the lives of residents. With my years in public service, I can attest to that. I am committed to serving as a candidate for everyone. Local government isn’t about party. It’s about our community! Look for me on the Independence Line (G). I would be honored to have your vote.

Robert A. Wicks (challenger)

Republican, Conservative

Brief bio:

My wife Rosanne (Middlemore) and I live in the village of Baldwinsville. We have two children and three grandchildren. Currently, I am the chief of police in Marcellus and I am a retired lieutenant from the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office. I consulted for CAM Hospitality Advisors and Management, and taught at Keuka College and Onondaga Community College. Education: MPA, Marist College; BA, Columbia College; FBI National Academy; Central New York Regional Police Academy; C.W. Baker High School.

I am currently on the Rescue Task Force Committee, which develops policies and procedures, and trains police, fire and EMS in new ways to respond to active shooter events. I am also working on state legislation with Assemblyman Stirpe on a bill regarding school resource officers.

Why are you running for office? What are the issues affecting your constituents and what do you plan to do about them if elected?

I have not held political office, but I have experience with the legislative process in Albany. I am running because I was encouraged to do so by Lysander residents and I am sure that I can move the town in a positive direction. We have many issues facing our town, but the biggest issue is that we need government officials that are leaders who will represent the concerns of their residents and listen to their voters.

One of the qualities of a good leader is the ability to network. Over my career, I have developed relationships with professionals in a variety of occupations. A leader should have a good all around base of knowledge. I have extensive training in emergency management, labor relations, budgets, and administration. Finally, a leader should have a vision. I have a vision for the town that includes providing exceptional services, providing a safe and well prepared community and for maximizing the town’s quality of life to its full potential.

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Lysander Town Councilor

Eugene F. Dinsmore (challenger)

Conservative

Brief bio (e.g. education, work experience, community involvement, family):

I believe that my SUNY Civil Tech Degree and my First Sergeant time in the Army will serve Lysander well. My wife and I have three grandchildren in the Baker and Durgee Schools. We attend St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church and belong to the Elks Lodge, American Legion, VFW and Knights of Columbus organizations. I am also a retired member of Operating Engineers Local 158 making me well versed in construction methods, machinery and materials.

Political affiliation/experience:

I am an endorsed Conservative candidate for councilor on the Lysander Town Board. I was previously your twice elected Republican town highway superintendent from 2012 thru 2017.

Why are you running for office? What are the issues affecting your constituents and what do you plan to do about them if elected?

By introducing a level of organization, discipline and accountability focused on our infrastructure and assets, we should be able to stabilize 60% of our town budget. I believe that the board should be geared toward those needs and look to our citizens to determine their wants.
Please vote the Conservative ticket to give our town a voice of reason that will listen to the will of the people.

Jeffrey J. Kudarauskas (challenger)

Republican, Conservative, Independence

Brief bio:

I am manager of engineering of a telecommunications company that services a $500 million national network with eight employees.

Having lived in other communities within New York and after returning from North Carolina 13 years ago we chose to live in Lysander because of its beauty.

To me it is very important to be involved in the community that I live in. I have been working with various organizations and believe it is so important to participate in our governing process.

Political affiliation/experience:

I am the only candidate that is endorsed by three political parties which demonstrates and recognizes my involvement with our town issues over the years. The Republican, Conservative and Independence parties prove their confidence in me as their representative. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, you will be asked to cast your vote for two town board seats. Regardless of your national political view, I am asking for your vote as I will represent you with honesty and integrity.

Why are you running for office?

My family and I love this town and would not choose to live anywhere else. I have a deep appreciation for Lysander’s beauty and its small town charm as well as its fantastic school district. I’m seeking this office because we need to preserve the beauty and the lifestyle that our community offers. This is an opportunity for me to serve where I can have an impact in keeping our town financially strong while still providing for the established town priorities of a positive community appearance, activities and recreational opportunities for youth, adults, and seniors and retaining our town’s history and character.

What are the main issues affecting your constituents and what do you plan to do about them if elected?

I am only interested in making Lysander a better place to live for everyone in the community regardless of political views. Decisions based on people’s needs, will be my priority.

Peter J. Moore (incumbent)

Republican, Independence

Brief bio:

I have lived in Baldwinsville for the past 30 years with my wife Anne. We met in college and I can clearly remember her pride as she spoke of her hometown. After living, working, raising a family, and volunteering in this community for the past three decades, I can tell you her pride was, and remains, well warranted.

The roots of a community are its inhabitants, and the town of Lysander is teeming with people and organizations that continually strive to improve the place they call home. While in my role as a town councilor, I regularly point out the positive people and attributes of our town. In my role as a citizen, I became a part of the fabric of our volunteer community decades ago by joining the Baldwinsville Kiwanis Club.

Why are you running for office? What are the main issues affecting your constituents and what do you plan to do about them if elected?

When I took office almost four years ago I was determined to be part of a team that would put the town on sound financial ground; we have done that. We have the lowest town tax rate in Onondaga County, we have cut our whole town and highway bond debt by almost 50%, we have brought grant dollars back to our community, and we make conscious decisions that increase revenue for the town. We even lease excess space at Lysander Town Hall to a private company.

While so much has been done in the past four years, and what I have mentioned is just the tip of the iceberg, I would like the opportunity to continue serving the community I have called home for the past 30 years. I humbly ask for your vote on Nov. 5.

Thank you to all who have supported me in the past; I look forward to the future.

Gail E. Tosh (challenger)

Democrat, Working Families Party

Brief bio:

My father was a professor at Syracuse University, bringing us to Central New York. Before that we lived in a farming community in Pennsylvania. In my youth I was an athlete earning varsity letters, a musician at the Pennsylvania District and Regional Band Festivals, a celebrated scholar, and a leader in the Girl Scouts.
I received a BA from Empire State College in social theory, social structure, and change in 2014. Since I started college in 1989, it was a long time coming. The times in-between my studying I learned operations management and marketing hands-on in fast-paced environments.

Overseas I taught English in a political system much different from ours. I returned home to teach refugees, desperate for the language needed to integrate into society. Settling in Baldwinsville, I bought property, got married, and I’m raising a family. My oldest child attends Baker High, where my mother taught for 25 years.

Why are you running for office? What are the main issues affecting your constituents and what do you plan to do about them if elected?

Traveling around the world and being involved in many types of activities has prepared me to lead by teaching me how to listen with an open mind to ideas different from my own. In government it’s important to understand that a leader leads for the best of everyone. An ability to be strong but flexible, to learn from new information, and to forge a path forward when it looks bleak are necessary attributes of leadership. Lysander has many different faces. We have some of the largest family farms in Onondaga County, a thriving and constantly evolving village, and upscale suburban developments. We need leadership that understands this and is ready to find ways forward that treat all of our citizens with respect and dignity.

I believe I can, and will, represent you fairly when you vote for me, Gail Tosh, for Lysander town councilor on Nov. 5.