By Russ Tarby

Contributing Writer

Liverpool’s six-term County Legislator Judy Tassone will not seek re-election this year. She made the announcement Jan. 4 on her Facebook page.

Having won her first election in 2009 against incumbent Democrat David Stott, Tassone – a Republican – was re-elected five times, most recently defeating challenger Kathy Zabinski in 2019 by a vote of 2,924 to 2,282.

She will leave the Legislature on Dec. 31, 2021, when her sixth term comes to a close.

Tassone represents the 4th Legislative District which includes the circumference of Onondaga Lake – including most of the towns of Geddes and Salina and parts of the city of Syracuse. Because of that geographic anomaly, she has earned the nickname Lady of the Lake.

Over her 11 years as a legislator, Tassone served as chair and vice-chair of the County Facilities Committee (2012-2021), as a member of the Environmental Protection Committee (2010-2013 and 2016-2021), a member of the Public Safety Committee (2012-2013) and as a member of the Health Committee (2014-2015).

In an unexpected twist of irony, one of the most memorable moments of the Lady of the Lake’s tenure came in 2014 when she and 5th District Legislator Kathy Rapp – both Republicans who live in Liverpool – voted against construction of the Lakeview Amphitheater (later renamed St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater), a pet project of then County Executive Joanie Mahoney, also a Republican.

“I believed that the money spent on this project for economic development could have been spent more wisely in many other ways,” Tassone said at the time.

Tassone has priorities that reach far beyond that shoreline.

“I think of myself as a voice of the people,” she said. “I vote the way the people want me to vote.”

Her most important accomplishment, Tassone said, was the repeated reduction of the county’s property tax rate.

“During my time in the Legislature, we were able to reduce the tax rate in Onondaga County every year,” she wrote on Jan. 4. “I dedicated myself to the taxpayers of this great county, and I am most proud of this accomplishment.

Tassone was making plans to retire before experiencing serious health problems last summer. After suffering a brain aneurysm in August, Tassone spent more than a month convalescing in the hospital. Since then she has undergone surgery and therapy.

Following her hospitalization, Tassone immediately resumed attending Legislature meetings. She phoned in to the Oct. 6 session, which was conducted in person, and has participated in every Zoom meeting since.

As to her future, Tassone plans to spend more time with children, grandchildren and her husband, former Town of Salina Republican Committee Chairman Bill Tassone.

In a statement, Liverpool Deputy Mayor Christina Fadden expressed her appreciation for all the work and years of service Tassone put in.

“Legislator Tassone has a strong record of accomplishments during her service, which will continue through this year.  Her service will be sorely missed by her constituents, including in the village of Liverpool, for whom she worked tirelessly to ensure a better future. I deeply appreciate the help she has provided for the village of Liverpool on a number of issues, without which we could not move the village forward,” Fadden wrote.

Candidates line up to seek open seat

Town of Salina Democratic Committee Chairman Christopher Shepherd already has two potential candidates who may run in November for the 4th District’s open seat.

“After she made her announcement, we congratulated Mrs. Tassone on our Facebook page,” Shepherd said.  “I am really happy she has recovered enough to look forward to good times with her family and friends.”

Even before Tassone bowed out, Shepherd said, Democrat Kathy Zabinski had announced her candidacy.  

A resident of Galeville, Zabinski is a retired sergeant of corrections at the county’s Jamesville Correctional Facility and former president of Civil Service Employees Association Local 834. She challenged Tassone in 2019 but lost the election.

The second Democratic candidate so far is Stephon Williams, a coding analyst for Molina Healthcare.

The Grand Old Party also has two candidates for the Legislature.

Town of Salina Republican Chairman Nick Paro said that Liverpool Deputy Mayor Christina Fadden and Salina Town Supervisor Colleen Gunnip have each expressed interest.

Paro, currently the First Ward town councilor, plans to run for supervisor.