Cicero supervisor defends ‘apples’

To the editor:

Cicero Democratic Chair Brynien refers to Cicero Democratic Candidates as “oranges” and Republican town board members and candidates as “apples” in the Oct. 9, 2019, Star-Review letter to the editor. In doing so, he blatantly distorts and misrepresents four years of achievement and recognition from state and county governments.

In the last four years, Cicero has become one of the most desirable towns to live in Onondaga County. Cicero was listed among the top 50 safest cities in New York and the best places in Upstate New York for young adults.

The NYS Comptroller’s office just finished an audit where we were told, “If every town was run as well as Cicero, our job would be easy.” We’re AA credit rated by Standard & Poor’s for the first time, two years in a row. This is not an accident. This was the result of good government and strong leadership. Mr. Brynien states that there is an “increased level of secrecy in the town.” He must not be paying attention because subscriptions to our website and social media are up 46% year to date. We also have a meeting recording system, allowing listening to town meetings through our website.

He talks of the cost overrun on the highway garage and says that I ignored the advice of the construction engineers and did not allow for a contingency budget to cover cost overruns. His statement is not supported by any documented facts.

The “apples” lead the county in green infrastructure. By the end of this year, we will have proactively removed over 22 million gallons of fresh water from our sanitary sewer system.

The “apples” instituted a state recognized safety program that reduced our workers compensation costs by nearly $190,000 in just three years. Let’s not forget the new sidewalks on Route 31 and Route 11 along with the energy efficient LED lighting.

One of the “oranges” that Mr. Brynien says that you should vote for, Judy Boyke, was found guilty by the independent Town Ethics Board. And her draining $2.3 million from the town fund balance with nothing to show for it during her term as supervisor isn’t much of a record to run on.

Another “orange” is going to double paving from five miles of road to 10 miles of road per year. (Cicero has 127 miles of roads.) He has stated that residents are telling him that they are willing to accept a tax increase but he doesn’t tell you that the tax increase will be greater than 12% and still not put much of a dent in the problem.

To my fellow Ciceronians, consider this: if a candidate or chairperson of any party has to intentionally misrepresent things or lie to you to get you to vote for them or for his candidates, imagine what you’ll get if you elect them. I support Bill Meyer for supervisor, and Dick Cushman and Nancy White for councilors. They will continue with good government — not politics.

Mark Venesky

Cicero Town Supervisor

In the original publication of this letter, our editorial staff amended it to state that Judy Boyke was censured by the town’s ethics committee for ethics violations. The commission found her guilty of ethics violations and recommended she be censured by the town board. The town board declined to censure her for these violations. We apologize for the error.

Vote Boyke for Cicero supervisor

To the editor:

Experience, knowledge and total commitment is why Judy Boyke is the best candidate for supervisor in the town of Cicero this Nov. 5.

After leaving office in 2011 as your supervisor, she has continued her commitment to our town. Judy never gives up fighting for our rights as citizens of the town of Cicero and the quality of life that everyone deserves.Judy has only missed three town board meetings since 2011, plus has attended as many planning board meetings as possible. As your present elected town councilor she is fully prepared for all town board meetings plus she represents the residents of Cicero as the planning board and zoning board of appeals liaison.

We need Judy Boyke as our supervisor. She isn’t afraid to speak up, to challenge the supervisor on important items that should be disclosed. She has been there and will continue to be there for all the right reasons: no political agenda, total experience, cannot be bullied, and will continue to fight for all the right reason the residents of Cicero.

We need a fair playing field on the town board and full disclosure of town government issues.

Judy Boyke is the best candidate for Cicero town supervisor.

Every vote for Judy matters! Vote in the upcoming election Tuesday, Nov. 5, and make your voice be heard. It is up to you to elect the best candidate to lead our town.

Linda Losito

Cicero

Bragman endorses Cushman for Cicero Town Board

To the editor:

I have lived in Cicero all of my life. During that time, I have had the privilege to serve our residents for more than 36 years at the town, county and state levels of government. I have always been motivated by what is best for our entire community.

Today, I write because we are at a true crossroads for our town. On Election Day we must make a clear choice for what is in the best interest for the future of Cicero. We can go backwards and elect people that talk about responsible government and then blame others when they don’t deliver, or we can re-elect those who have a proven record of accomplishment. In this regard I urge you, regardless of your political party, to cast your vote for Cicero Town Councilor Dick Cushman.

Dick has that proven record of accomplishment. He has demonstrated an ability to work with the many people and organizations that have made Cicero what it is today.

Dick Cushman is an accountant and a former Postmaster. He is an Air Force veteran who has served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Through his years as an elected official he has shown to be an honest and hard-working person who has focused the better part of his life on making our town a better place to live, work and raise our families. Dick is not about empty promises; he is about good government and doing the right thing.

Please vote to re-elect Dick Cushman as Cicero town councilor on Election Day. It will be a vote most important to our town and its future.

Michael J. Bragman

Cicero

Stirpe’s jobs column fails to address ableism

To the editor:

Dear Assemblyman Al Stirpe:

A friend showed me your op-ed in the Star-Review (Oct. 9, 2019) regarding jobs in CNY going unfilled. Let me comment a few things. First, you seem to focus on manufacturing relocated to the suburbs. You missed the history that manufacturing companies have moved out of state/country or closed but a few smaller companies remain. You have failed to notice more medical, high tech, and white collar jobs are remaining in CNY. Those jobs are tailored for higher educated people that required licenses.

I have been searching for work for years and I have no full-time job. My wife wants to know why is she the only one have to get up at 6 a.m. to go to work as a full-time LPN at a major office. I have tried every day since 2002 when I graduated from OCM BOCES Adult Career in AutoCAD drafting design. I love to design. I wanted to be an automotive designer but that cost more money to go to college and that is another whole story. I was on SSDI at the time so I ended up going to BOCES to work my way up. I was on top of my class and even tutored a woman who was near failing in class. She got a job and did I get anything? No!

Companies saw that I am Deaf. Companies do not want to hire anyone Deaf or disabled because of communication/abilities respectively plus it costs more to provide for us (i.e. interpreters, and for disabled: slower, snail pace of manufacturing). I also have a bad lower back now and every other few months, a bad bout of vertigo (I have Meniere’s) and I think that is why no one is hiring me. I wanted to move out of CNY but married to a woman who does not want to move out. I would be happy to show you my seven three-ring binders’ thick list of companies I applied for. It is an effective tool to use.

I had to sue a company who said, “We can’t hire you because you are Deaf,” but I lost because the recruiter was crying so hard in court. It does not make any sense.

I will not go back for training. I am turning 55 this week and age is another factor. I cannot even collect Social Security since they tried to say I need points to earn retirement. Well, what can I do? This year, I stopped going to job fairs for first time in years because nothing came out of it. If you want to listen more or talk or see my portfolio of designs or the binders list of companies, we can meet sometime soon. Thank you for reading.

Mark Falso

Liverpool

Burtis endorses White for Cicero Town Board

To the editor:

Honesty, integrity and passion. These are the characteristics I look for in a civil servant. The residents of the town of Cicero can find these qualities and many more in Nancy White. She is a candidate for one of the two open seats for Cicero Town Board and I will be voting for her on Nov. 5.

Like myself, Nancy is a proud resident of the hamlet of Brewerton. She has served the people of Onondaga County for the past 30 years with distinction and is known for her sound judgment and dependability. I have no doubt that Nancy will bring that same level of professionalism to the Cicero Town Board.

Please join me on Nov. 5 in voting for Nancy White for Cicero Town Board.

Tim Burtis

Onondaga County Legislator (3rd District)

Cicero

Keep Cicero moving forward

To the editor:

This year’s Cicero election is critical to continue the recent gains we have made with the last two administrations. To return to the Judy Boyke era would be a major setback for the town and its residents. Boyke spearheaded a drive to abolish the Cicero Police Department during her last tenure. The CPD is one of the town’s most valuable assets. Under the plan, our coverage would have been substantially diminished with minimal county protection.

Boyke also attempted to place hurdles in the way of a long overdue, much needed highway garage. In both cases voters triumphed.

Under the current administration we returned to a AA bond rating, no matter what they say about spending, the bond rating tells it all.

Under the last two administrations a plan to pave our roads was implemented for the first time. There is a lot of catching up to do after years of neglect.

The current administration secured a new police facility and moved the department out of a rundown trailer funded by a grant that spared taxpayer dollars.

Let’s keep Cicero moving forward and vote for continued progress and pride in our community.

Bob Sgarlata

Cicero

Thanks for supporting Fresh Air Fund

To the editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Fresh Air host families and volunteer leaders the New York Lakes Region. Because of their dedication and commitment, thousands of children from New York City’s low-income communities participated in our Friendly Towns volunteer host family program this summer.

I am inspired by the heartfelt stories shared by hosts who welcome our children into their homes and community, and the joy and growth it brings to everyone. For over 140 years, The Fresh Air Fund has brought people together. Children make new friends and forge relationships that can last a lifetime. We’ve learned that after staying with a host family children are more confident and more comfortable meeting new and different people. Children tell me about their excitement to return to visit with a host family and all the activities ahead.

Our programs would not be possible without the generosity of our Fresh Air host families, supporters, and volunteers in the New York Lakes Region. Our local volunteers, many of whom are also hosts, interview prospective host families, help recruit new families and plan special activities. I would also like to thank the individuals and local businesses who give their time and resources to ensure The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns Program in the New York Lakes Region is such a success each year.

The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. Each summer, thousands of children visit volunteer host families along the East Coast and Southern Canada.

Please contact Vicki Bracco at 315-391-7852 or visit FreshAir.org to learn more about hosting a child through The Fresh Air Fund.

Fatima Shama

Executive Director

Fresh Air Fund

Can Venesky explain statement in brush lawsuit?

To the editor:

The Town of Cicero is involved in a lawsuit concerning the 2019 brush contract. Only two bids were received and the town board (on a 3 to 2 vote) decided to retain the firm with the higher bid, Onsite Development. It was approximately $100,000 more than the low bidder, Last Chance Recycling. The Feb. 13, 2019, town board meeting minutes, which are available on the town’s website, outlines the reasoning behind awarding the bid to Onsite. As a result, the low bidder decided to sue the town board, as well as others. This lawsuit now rests with the Supreme Court of the State of New York.

A sworn affidavit by Supervisor Mark Venesky was filed in August. In the affidavit, Venesky stated that he “called the municipalities of Clay, DeWitt and Manlius, for which Petitioner had done work in the past, to ask whether they would provide a recommendation for Petitioner. Each of the Supervisors I spoke with at the time stated they would not provide Petitioner with a recommendation.”

Herein lies the problem. The Supreme Court has on file a letter from Edward Michalenko, Town of Dewitt supervisor, stating that he “was never contacted by” Venesky. The court also has a letter from Damian Ulatowski, Town of Clay supervisor, stating that “Last Chance Recycling fulfilled the requirements of their contracts accordingly.”

Perhaps Venesky has an explanation; I look forward to hearing it.

Even though Venesky is not running for re-election, this, coupled with his lack of civility over the course of the last two years, indicates it may be a good time to take a closer look at the candidates who are running for the town board and not vote for his cronies.

All of the documents on file with the Supreme Court can be viewed at tinyurl.com/y5w6xrp6.

Deborah V. Gardner

Cicero