The 2019 general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. For information about polling places and early voting, visit ongov.net/elections or contact the Onondaga County Board of Elections at 315-435-8683.
In the town of Van Buren, there is one candidate running unopposed for town supervisor, one candidate running unopposed for town clerk, one candidate running unopposed for town justice, and five candidates running for three seats on the Van Buren Town Board. Ken Bush Jr. is running unopposed for his seat in the Onondaga County Legislature’s 13th District.
Read on for the candidates’ profiles. Candidates are listed alphabetically.
Onondaga County Legislature: 13th District
Kenneth L. Bush Jr. (incumbent, unopposed)
Republican, Conservative, Independence
Brief bio (e.g. education, work experience, community involvement, family):
- Family: Wife Justine, 5 children, 5 grandchildren
- Education: Jordan-Elbridge High School, Denison University (Granville, Ohio)
- Career: Owner of Bush Funeral Homes
- Community service: Member of Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce and Greater Camillus Chamber of Commerce, Camillus Elks, Baldwinsville Grange, Jordan Memorial Day Committee chair; former member of Westar Federal Credit Union Board of Directors and Camillus Rotary, Onondaga Historical Association board, Cornell Cooperative Extension board; past president of JE Chamber of Commerce and Jordan Library Board of Trustees
- Awards: Community service award from American Legion Post 1127, JE School District “Wall of Honor” Award for service to the school and community
Political affiliation/experience:
Endorsed by the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Onondaga County Veterans parties as well as by CSEA, Painters Local Union #31 and Greater Syracuse Labor Council.
I served as Elbridge town supervisor from 2002 to 2017.
I have been county legislator of the 13th District since 2018. I am a member of the Soil and Water Conservation District Board, the Commission on Aging Services and the Fisheries Advisory Board.
What are the main issues affecting your constituents and what do you plan to do about them if elected?
Lower property taxes, local employment opportunities, support of town and village governments, climate and environmental issues. My record shows a concern for and support for the above stated issues. I have been a strong voice for the citizens living in the 13th District.
—
Van Buren Town Clerk/Receiver of Taxes
Lynn M. Precourt (incumbent, unopposed)
Republican, Independence
Brief bio (e.g. education, work experience, community involvement, family):
Married 15 years to Jamie, two sons, Jimmy, 11 and Billy, 8
Political affiliation/experience:
Town clerk since 2002, receiver of taxes since 2009
Why are you running for office?
I am running for clerk/receiver because I am committed to continuing to provide the best service possible to the residents in Van Buren.
What are the main issues affecting your constituents and what do you plan to do about them if elected?
High property taxes are a burden on everyone in New York state and Van Buren is no exception. We do, however, have an extensive record of shared services and consolidation that has allowed the town to stay under the tax cap while still maintaining the ability to save for new equipment and projects. I have been an enthusiastic participant in these consolidations and continue to find ways to save taxpayer money wherever I can. In January I began using the E-Tax software provided at no cost by Onondaga County. This saves the annual maintenance fee on the proprietary software we had used and the town saves money on the printing of the tax bills, a total annual savings of $8,225.
Additionally, this new software updates in real time when a tax bill is paid and can be viewed on the County’s website, allowing access to information immediately. This benefits residents, realtors, attorneys, tax preparers, etc. with the ability to view and print information whenever necessary.
—
Van Buren Town Supervisor
Claude E. Sykes (incumbent, unopposed)
Republican, Independence
Brief bio (e.g. education, work experience, community involvement, family):
Wife Christine, three adult married children and eight grandchildren. 66 years old. I have a police science degree and several years of vocation-related training including water treatment plant operator, water distribution system operator, stormwater coordinator, wastewater operator and collection system education, safety education, urban forestry education. Previously employed by the village of Baldwinsville for over 34 years with the last 28 years as superintendent of public works. Lived in Baldwinsville for 45 years. Community Wesleyan Church treasurer, past trustee and board member.
Political affiliation/experience:
Republican. Endorsed by Republican and Independence parties. Van Buren town supervisor for past 12 years.
Why are you running for office?
My public works background makes me uniquely qualified for the supervisor position since approximately 70% of the job deals with public works related issues. 45 years of municipal experience has proven to be a great asset to the town. I enjoy what I am doing and I have the time to devote to the position. I have a proven track record of stable tax rates and have streamlined government while maintaining services that residents expect. I would be honored to continue as supervisor and respectfully ask for your vote with early voting or on the traditional Election Day. I want to thank you in advance for voting.
—
Van Buren Town Councilor (vote for 3)
Conservative candidate John M. Kerniski and Democratic candidate Kristen Muncy did not respond to the questionnaire before the deadline.
Mary Frances Sabin (incumbent)
Republican, Conservative, Independence
Brief bio (e.g. education, work experience, community involvement, family):
I received a BA from Bloomsburg University and my paralegal certification from Syracuse University’s University College.
I retired a couple of years ago; however, currently I am serving as a town councilor and in my second year as the appointed deputy supervisor. I also work part-time at Foxfire golf course. Before retiring, I worked for in the cable TV industry over 23 years for Time Warner Cable and its predecessor. I spent over 20 years in management and I negotiated a cable franchise renewal (which will be important as the Verizon Fios cable franchise is up for renewal). Next I spent over 12 years in human resources for the NYS Court System’s Syracuse regional office.
I volunteer in the St. Augustine’s Church office and am a member of the St. Augustine’s Parish Council. I am an active member of the fundraising and social action committees as well as assist in teaching religious education classes.
Political affiliation/experience:
I am a registered Republican and have been cross-endorsed by both the Conservative and Independence parties.
Why are you running for office?
I am running for reelection to address the concerns of the taxpayers. I am always open to listening to residents’ concerns.
What are the main issues affecting your constituents and what do you plan to do about them if elected?
Over the past few years, the board has resolved drainage issues throughout the town based on residents’ concerns. I am working with Fios to install infrastructure in certain Village Green areas which should have been done years before.
Keeping spending under control is the key to maintaining low taxes while still being able to provide quality services. If reelected I will continue to review each expenditure as if the money was coming directly from my pocket and work to continue the board’s fiscally responsible policies as has occurred during the past several years.
Property appearance/maintenance and values are ongoing concerns. As chair of the Land Use Committee, I have been investigating how our codes may need to be improved. The committee is in the process of drafting amendments to the codes so that a single owner’s failure to keep up his/her property doesn’t devalue the surrounding homes.
During the past four years, I have worked on behalf of all residents to keep Van Buren the wonderful town it has been and if reelected I will continue to work to make the town better for years to come.
I would be honored to receive your vote. Thank you.
Howard C. Tupper (incumbent)
Republican, Independence
Brief bio (e.g. education, work experience, community involvement, family):
I have lived here all my life except for serving in the U.S. Army in the ’60s, and attending college at Clarkson before graduating from Syracuse University. I retired from Crouse-Hinds Co. as an engineer.
Political affiliation/experience:
I am a lifelong Republican, endorsed by both the Independence Party and the Veterans Party.
With more than 24 years experience in local government, including six terms as village trustee and three terms on the Van Buren Town Board, I feel my background in local issues is needed to help navigate the eve-changing and more complicated challenges ahead. I was a member of the citizens committee which formed the Comprehensive Plan known as Chapter 200 in our town’s Code. As a long-term member of Canton Woods Senior Center, and Van Buren’s municipal rep on their board, I was instrumental in transferring the outreach program to the county, saving $26,000 in salary to the townspeople.
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?
My agenda is that I have no agenda. I look forward to change and progress.
During my time on the village board we saw the greatest civic improvement development in decades. The same spirit is present today throughout the county and Van Buren is benefiting from it in terms of commercial and residential growth. To better manage that growth Van Buren has taken steps to streamline services in the administration of the town. The best example of this is the purchase of the highway garage, long overdue and a huge future cost avoidance. We also combined the planning and zoning boards, merged the clerk’s office with the tax collector, created the town engineer office, and established numerous reserve accounts for planned fleet vehicle replacements, reducing bond indebtedness. Tax rates have been on a downward trend for years in Van Buren as a result. And we are still under the so-called 2% tax cap.
My whole approach to governing is to be practical, and harbor no special interests or pet projects. Those of you who watch Channel 98 will see me comment every time the state tries, or succeeds, in imposing some new expense on local governments. I will always fight for us to retain local control and that is why I ask for your vote in November.
Wendy A. Van Der Water (incumbent)
Republican, Conservative, Independence
Brief bio (e.g. education, work experience, community involvement, family):
I graduated from SUNY Canton with AAS in business administration. I am a paralegal for St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse.
I am an Onondaga County Notary Public and a member affiliate of GSAR (2016) and was chair of the Taste of Baldwinsville fundraising committee (2009, 2010 and 2011).
Political affiliation/experience:
I served on the Van Buren Town Board from 2004 to 2007. I did not seek reelection then as I became a mother in 2003 and chose to spend time raising my family.
I am a member of the Van Buren Republican Committee and a past member of the Van Buren Republican Women’s Committee.
Why are you running for office?
I bring to the board the perspective of a mother who is raising a family here in Van Buren. I know what type of community I want to raise my family in and hopefully, encourage a community that some day my son will want to raise his family when he is older.
What are the main issues affecting your constituents and what do you plan to do about them if elected?
I believe one of the main issues affecting the residents is taxes. Taxes in Van Buren have either been lowered or remained consistent for over 12 years straight. This trend started when I was on the town board in 2004 and has continued since.
I would love to see our parks department become self-sustaining. We offer a large variety of programming for all age groups, as well as a well-attended summer recreational program.
While we do need to grow to increase the tax base when we can, we should keep an eye on not overpopulating the town. I want to limit development when necessary. It does not make strategic sense to build out every area of green space here in Van Buren.
It is an honor to serve the residents of Van Buren and ask for your vote on Nov. 5. Thank you.
