By Jason Klaiber
Staff Writer
Mark Olson has announced he will be running for re-election as the mayor of Fayetteville this approaching
March.
Olson, who assumed the role of mayor in 2004, said he has made sure to attain the goals he set out for
himself at the start of his tenure.
For one, he said he has made strides to keep taxes as low as possible.
On top of that, he has overseen efforts to create Canal Landing Park, expand the village’s sidewalk system,
focus on deer culling and work on infrastructure improvements and rebuilding endeavors for sites like the
village hall, the fire house, the Department of Public Works (DPW) garage and the senior center.
“We’ve done all that with less than 45 cents in tax increases over that 16-year span,” Olson said.
If re-elected, Olson said his goals for his next four-year term would include completing the final phase of
Canal Landing Park, revitalizing Fayetteville’s Main Street, lowering taxes even more and enhancing the
village’s financial well-being.
“I just want to keep going on all these great things that we’re doing,” Olson said.
He said that after a decade and a half of being mayor, he still finds joy in fulfilling his duty.
“I still really love it,” he said. “I enjoy it every day, and I wouldn’t continue if I didn’t.”
Olson said he always seeks to improve the quality of life in Fayetteville through such projects as the
implementation of mountain bike trails in Duguid Park.
“What I really enjoy is trying to make it better and better and better so that more and more people want to
live in our village,” Olson said.
He said that throughout his time as mayor he has heard the word ‘no’ from various levels of government
when attempting to get projects going, like Canal Landing Park.
“What I’ve learned is hook yourself up with people that say yes, and find ways to get things done,” Olson
said.
He said, though, that his strong suit has been his established relationships with other elected officials and
his leadership.
Previously, Olson had been a village trustee from 1996 to 2004.
He has also helped out with Fayetteville-Manlius Little League in addition to serving as a board member of
the Fayetteville Fire Department.
He is currently the president of the Onondaga County Mayors Association, and he contributes to several
boards such as that of the Samaritan Center.
“It’s not just about being the mayor,” Olson said. “It’s about giving back in other aspects of our community.”
Olson said this coming mayoral election will be “sentimental” for him, since his youngest son will be turning
18 in January, thus making it the first time that both of his sons will be able to vote.
