CAZENOVIA — In the Village of Cazenovia, two seats on the board of trustees and the office of the mayor are up for election on June 20, 2023.
The positions are currently held by Trustees Cynthia Bell and Justin Fuchs and Mayor Kurt Wheeler.
Fuchs has decided to step down from his position, while Bell and Wheeler are both seeking re-election. Former trustee Thomas Tait is also on the ballot for trustee.
All three candidates are running unopposed for two-year terms.
Voting will be held from 12 to 9 p.m. at the American Legion Post 88, 26 Chenango St., Cazenovia.
Each of the candidates responded to the same questions from the Cazenovia Republican. Their responses (500-word limit) are printed below.
Kurt Wheeler
Candidate for Mayor, Community Party
Occupation
Teacher
How will your experience serve you in government
There has been a wonderful synergy between teaching History and Government in the classroom and serving in local government. Understanding how government should work based on our Constitutional principles is often helpful in real-world decision-making and there are many historical examples of how government serves the people best when leaders apply principles like mutual respect, collaboration and compromise.
What do you think are the biggest challenges in your community?
It goes without saying that the biggest challenge facing Cazenovia today is guiding the successful transition to a post-Cazenovia College use for the campus that is at the heart of our village. We have an amazing team of people who are working cooperatively to plan and shape that transition, but considerable effort remains. Philosophically, the biggest challenge is helping citizens to understand that local government is not the same as the disfunction they see in Washington. There is a lot of cynicism today, but local public servants’ only goal is to represent and guide the community to the best of their ability.
What are your ideas for addressing these challenges?
I will continue to work collaboratively each day not only with my colleagues on the Village Board but with our partners in the Town, the College, CACDA, CPF, CLA and many others to meet these challenges as a team.
Cynthia Bell
Candidate for Trustee, Democratic/Strong Community
Occupation
Maintenance Engineer for the New York State Canal Corporation
How will your experience serve you in government?
I have worked in the public sector for over 20 years and have been a Trustee on the Village Board for the past two years. I also served on the School Board in Cazenovia. With all of the positions I have held, it has given me a very good understanding of how to work effectively in all types of public service. In my time on the Village Board I have learned a lot regarding how a local municipality is run. My experience in both my public service personally and as a Village representative has given me a good foundation to grow upon for the next two years if I am re-elected.
What do you think are the biggest challenges in your community?
Some of the challenges that are facing our community, and the Village specifically, include the aging working population of the village employees and their impending retirements, the closing of Cazenovia College, and the challenges of providing a balanced budget for the Village given the current rate of inflation.
What are your ideas for addressing these challenges
When bringing in new hires, it is beneficial for them to work with the more experienced employees to assist in learning the job prior to retirement. The closing of Cazenovia College and where it will be in the future is not a simple solution. This will take time to be determined where it will end up and what the ultimate impact will be for the Village. This will probably not be fully understood in just two years. However, the transition, whatever it may be, will certainly be started within the next two years. If elected, I will listen to the options and take into careful consideration the needs of the Village and its residents in all decisions regarding the College that will come to the Board. Similarly, for the Village budget, all items in the budget need to be carefully analyzed as to what is being spent and where money can be saved.
Thomas Tait
Candidate for Trustee, Republican/Your Neighborhood Voice
Occupation
Licensed Associate Broker with Oak Tree Real Estate
How will your experience serve you in government?
For the past three decades I have served the Cazenovia community in many ways, including as Village Trustee from 2007-2009. At the time my father’s health was in decline and I opted not to seek re-election so I could serve as his caregiver instead. My past experience as a Trustee coupled with extensive community involvement will enable me to be immediately effective upon being sworn in on July 5th. As an example, one of the roles I will likely serve is as Tree Commissioner. I formed the Tree Commission in 2007, have served as the Director ever since and presently oversee all tree related issues in the village.
My family has called Cazenovia home for four generations. It is my love for the area and the qualities that were instilled in me by my parents that elicits my desire to serve in elected, appointed and volunteer roles. During these uncertain times in Cazenovia I believe we need strong, kind and compassionate leadership with complete constituent transparency.
What do you think are the biggest challenges in your community?
In speaking with residents and business owners over the past three months I heard many concerns expressed about our Community. The obvious involves the future of Cazenovia College, but there is widespread interest and concern over development in and around the Village. The development at Burke Meadows on Burton Street, the development of 64 apartments (Caz Barns) on Nelson Street and the prospect of development of 101 acres on Fenner Road, which is contiguous to the Village of Cazenovia, have generated significant dialogue.
Other equally important issues are the protection and preservation of our lake, protection of the village aquifer, and speeding. Like so many communities, we also face aging infrastructure, ever-increasing operating costs and a tight budget. Fiscal constraint will remain a necessary goal to keep taxes reasonable while providing essential and valued services to the community.
Finally, the vitality of our business district is being challenged on several fronts, including the College closure, the recent announcement by Bob Hood regarding his commercial property on Albany Street and Sullivan Street and existing storefront vacancies.
We can overcome these with the collaboration of positive, open minded and hard working individuals who will support the existing businesses that want to expand and also attract new businesses that will augment all our current quality merchants.
What are your ideas for addressing these challenges?
We need to improve the way we interact with one another. We need to put aside political differences and embrace the idea that we can peacefully co-exist with those who hold differing opinions and find common ground on issues that will enhance all of our lives in Cazenovia. If we improve the morale in Cazenovia we will dramatically improve how we face challenges and issues of importance.
In closing, each resident needs to know their opinion matters and that they are protected and cared for by their local leaders. Together, we will ensure that the charm and wonderful way of life in Cazenovia is sustained for generations to come.
