NORTH SYRACUSE — Residents of the village of North Syracuse will head to the polls next Tuesday, June 15, to select candidates for the North Syracuse Village Board of Trustees and decide whether to lower the age of eligibility for benefits for firefighters.
Three candidates are vying for two four-year terms on the village board, and one candidate is running to fill the remaining two years of former Trustee Diane Browning’s term.
Polls are open from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, at the North Syracuse Community Center, located at 700 South Bay Road.
Read on to meet the candidates in their own words and learn more about the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) referendum. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
If you have any questions about the North Syracuse election, contact Village Clerk/Treasurer Dianne Kufel at 315-458-0900 ext. 129 or [email protected], or contact the Onondaga County Board of Elections at 315-435-8683.
LOSAP referendum
Should the village lower the age eligibility for village firefighters participating in the Length of Service Award Program from the current age of 62 to 60 for the purpose of receiving benefits; village taxpayers will be responsible for the payment of additional costs associated with the expansion of benefits. Upon taxpayers’ approval, the cost of this would be shared equally with town of Clay and town of Cicero taxpayers — upon the towns’ approval of this modification. The increase would be spread over 10 years. Are you in favor of this proposition?
Trustee, 4-year term (Choose up to 2)
Jacob Bunton (challenger)
Republican
It is time for a new voice on the village board. My name is Jacob Bunton, and I want to be your new voice.
My wife Kristi and I moved to North Syracuse in 1996 and have lived on Herman Drive ever since. Our kids attend North Syracuse schools, play at our local parks, and have great friends in the neighborhood. The village has given our family so much, and now it is time for me to give back.
I was hesitant to put my name forward when I was first told about the opening for a new village trustee. I enjoy my time serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Police Oversight Board and love learning about the inner workings of our village. A couple of good family conversations later and here I am, running to fill an open seat for trustee.
Our village is a beautiful place to live, and it is on a bright path getting better. I have good working relationships with our mayor as well as with Deb Cody and Cody Kelly, the county legislators who represent North Syracuse. Conversations with them have me excited for the future of North Syracuse.
Investment in our sidewalks is a first step in making our whole community safer and more walkable while giving us access to the many small businesses and parks that bring us together. Funding our police and fire departments will keep our homes and children safe and ensure the high quality of life we have all come to expect.
In a time of political division, the Village Memorial Day Parade showed that we can all come together as one village.
As your next village trustee, politics will not have an impact on how I vote. Your voices will be heard in board meetings, and your priorities will be raised.
Lou Ann St. Germain (incumbent)
Democratic, Good Neighbors
I have been a resident of the village for 31 years. My husband Jeff and I married in 1990 and moved into our new home where we still reside today. Here we raised our son, Jeffrey, and have built many long-lasting friendships.
I currently work as a communications officer for the Village of Baldwinsville Police Department and previously worked for the Village of North Syracuse Police Department in the same capacity.
My focus is on maintaining, and always trying to improve, the village’s high-quality police, fire, department of public works, and parks and recreation departments. I excitedly promote and welcome new businesses into our village. Together with our existing establishments our village will continue to flourish as our tax base increases. I will continue to help find the needed resources that keep our village streets repaired and repaved. Our well-maintained roads help us welcome new families to our neighborhoods as we continue to honor our valued seniors who represent the strength of our village’s past: “Yesterday’s Road to the Future!”
I am a true animal advocate and always do my best to speak with those who can and for those who can’t. My adopted rescue dog Tank is one of my biggest fans and a familiar sight to most who wave as we walk past on our nightly walks!
I consider it a privilege to serve the residents of my beloved community which I am proud to call home. I hope you will honor me with the opportunity to continue to do so!
Christopher Strong (incumbent)
Republican
My wife Nora and I live on Lynhurst Avenue with our senior puggle and an energetic cat.
A few highlights from my first two years on the village board include: addition of a new water line to the Heritage Park Dog Park, increased access and exposure of village governmental operations (I advocated for live-streamed meetings before COVID requirements), Earth Day shredding event and establishment in 2020 of a “safe exchange area” for custody concerns and online purchases. In addition, I have combed bi-monthly audit reports for concerns and modified several issues at board meetings, saving taxpayer monies; advocated for village businesses (near Dog Daze) and their drainage issues on Route 11, added safety precautions into the contract for our law enforcement personnel, and supported the efforts of the fine men and women in your Volunteer Fire Department
I have some ideas for the village moving forward:
• Access to government: I feel we need more town hall gatherings that are adaptable to residents busy schedules. I’ve suggested quarterly meetings on a Saturday morning, in lieu of some 4:30 p.m. trustee meetings, as these are not conducive to public attendance (in person or via streaming).
• Infrastructure: Although we have a well-maintained sewer system, we should not rest on the system being fine. Your collected sewer tax account has money for an “emergency situation,” as well as having each mile of the system scoped with a camera. Let’s fix issues when they are small.
• Heritage Park: We have a significant amount of square footage underutilized at Heritage. My proposal would be three-pronged:
1. Remove one softball/baseball field and accoutrements, placing them at the southern field.
2. Add a cross country skiing option where the stoned path currently sits, place a hut to rent skis, and maybe sell hot chocolate.
3. Although it was removed from the budget, locate funds to convert one seldom-used tennis court to a pickleball court.
• Route 81 corridor: Remain vigilant in our opposition to the project as it stands. This will divert potential customers away from North Syracuse. Continue to seek out new development for our vacant commercial properties.
• Repeal pickup truck ban: I feel the board of trustees hastily passed a local law, which by wording, banned pickup trucks (commercial registration) from parking in front of your residence, unless performing a service.
• Update and restructure our village hiring practices, adding employee evaluations.
It has been an honor and privilege to serve the residents and businesses of North Syracuse as a trustee for the past two years. I would love to continue addressing your concerns and advocating for you another term. Please consider voting STRONG on Tuesday, June 15.
Trustee, 2-year term to fill vacancy (choose 1)
Patricia M. Gustafson
Democratic, Good Neighbors
I am a 43-year resident of the village of North Syracuse. I have raised three children here who all remained in the area and now I’m enjoying watching my four precious grandchildren grow up within the community I love.
I am a retired registered nurse and worked in the North Syracuse Central School District for30 years. I am an active communicant of St. Rose of Lima.
I am proud to have served the village in many ways. I was a trustee for six years and have been a member of the North Syracuse Family Festival committee, Lionesses, Democratic Party, Village of North Syracuse Housing Authority and the North Syracuse Planning Board. I also actively volunteer with North Area Athletic and Education Center.
I am committed to the community and I look forward to continuing to make a difference by serving the community and its residents.
