By Hayleigh Gowans

Staff Writer

On Tuesday, Nov. 7, voters in Onondaga County will have the opportunity to select their choice of candidate for the Onondaga County Legislator depending on the district they live in.

There are 17 legislative district in Onondaga County, and the Eagle Bulletin covers several districts but we chose to focus on the 7th and 10th districts because they cover larger areas and are contested races. (Click here to read the 10th district questionnaires.)

In the 7th district, which covers the village of East Syracuse and a large portion of the town of DeWitt, Democrat Tom Buckel, who previously served in the seat, and Independence and Republican party endorsed candidate Courtney Hills vie to fill the seat left after Danny Liedka decided he would not seek reelection.

The terms for both of these seats are two years. To learn what district you live it, go to ongov.net/elections/index.html.

The Eagle Bulletin distributed uniform candidate questionnaires for candidates for the 7th and 10th districts of the Onondaga County Legislator elections. Following are their responses organized by alphabetical order of last names:

Onondaga County Legislator 7th District

Tom Buckel

Political Affiliation: Democrat

Educational background and professional history: University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, VA, Juris Doctor; Canisius College, Buffalo, NY, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History. Professional history: Legal Services of Central New York, Inc., October 2013 to April 2017, managing attorney. Hancock Estabrook, LLP, 1981 to October 2013, partner.

Community service and previous political office history: Le Moyne College, Board of Regents; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, board of trustees; Syracuse School District, mentor and program coordinator; New York State Mentoring Program, Upstate New York Coordinator; Housing Visions Unlimited Inc., board of directors; Onondaga County Circles Campaign to Combat Poverty, board member and mentor; Sisters of the Third Franciscan Order, member resource development board; MedTech, Government Affairs Advisor; Everson Museum of Art, member board of trustees and executive committee; L’Arche Syracuse, board of directors, development chair; Catholic Charities Refugee Program, resettle and mentor refugee families; Legal Services of Central New York Inc. and Legal Aid of Mid-New York, Inc., president and member; Syracuse Urban Ministry Member, board of directors; Hospitality House for Homeless Youth Inc. president, board member. Pro bono legal representation, including, cancer patients denied insurance coverage for bone marrow or stem cell transplants, Special needs clients referred by Syracuse Catholic Charities and tenant support services. Previous Political History: Onondaga County Legislature, elected and re-elected, 2007 – 2011. I was the lead sponsor of public health initiatives, including smoking ban within 100 feet of hospitals and medical facilities; comprehensive environmental sustainability program; aid to homeless and domestic violence victims; significant government reforms, including a successful public referendum to reduce the size of the legislature.

Why are you running for a seat on the Onondaga County Legislature?

I want to help families and businesses build a a more just, sustainable, and prosperous community. I revere local government, its closeness to people, and the chance to make a long-term impact by helping people and a place I love. Solving problems at the local level is more practical than wishing for national or state solutions, and can produce better results through a more democratic process. I plan to engage you as citizens, calling on everyone to do their part, and help repair local economic stagnation and high poverty that have plagued our region for 30 years

What are your thoughts on consolidation/shared services within the county?

I support sharing and coordinating operating functions among governments, such as purchasing, health insurance management, computer and data base management, street maintenance and snow plowing. I prefer to see local governments remain intact so that policy is made by representatives closer to the people, and so that democratic participation is strengthened.

What do you see as the biggest issue Onondaga County faces, and if elected, how would you address this?

Restoring Central New York’s role as an economic, social, and educational leader while actively resisting any attempt by the Trump administration to take us backwards. My top county priorities are: economic development (creating manufacturing, technology and biotech jobs and reducing poverty); comprehensive traffic modernization in the city and along Route 481 in conjunction with the Route 81 overpass project; increasing support for mental health and social services in all schools; protecting the environment, including a zero-waste recycling program throughout the county.

My top district priorities are funding sheriff patrols to supplement city police; storm water drainage improvements; reconstruction of abandoned sites in Carrier Circle; cracking down on absentee landlords and irresponsible tenants; and supporting the construction sidewalks and sewer lines along Maple Drive, near the high school.

What distinguishes you from the other candidate?

I am a Democrat. I offer a unique set of values, skills, experience, and drive to help our community overcome challenges, especially in economic development and poverty. Together, we can unleash innovative ideas, new cooperation, and a new resolve to lead the nation once again in economic, social and education progress.

Courtney M. Hills

Political Affiliation: Registered Independence Party, endorsed by Republican Party.

Educational background and professional history: I have three degrees from Syracuse University as follows: a Juris Doctor degree in law; a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Family Studies. I have been practicing law since 2007. I am currently a partner with the Primo & Hills Law Firm in Manlius. My primary focus is on the representation of village and town legislative, planning, zoning and assessment review boards, as well as land use, development and real estate transactions. I have been recognized as a 2017 Upstate New York Super Lawyer Rising Star and included in the Who’s Who Directory Top Attorneys of North America 2017 Edition. I am a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Onondaga County Bar Association, the New York State Conference of Mayors and Public Officials and the New York State Association of Towns.

Prior to becoming an attorney, I spent several years working as a social worker in the long-term healthcare field, and as a caseworker in group homes for adults with mental health disorders.

Community service and previous political office history: I currently serve on the Board of Directors for Home Headquarters, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that meets the needs of underserved Central New Yorkers with low income interest loans and grants, and homeowner education and counseling. I also support several local organizations that focus on women’s health, most notably Hope for Heather, a non-for-profit organization dedicated to raising funds in support of ovarian cancer research, promoting education and awareness and providing comfort to women and their families devastated by cancer, and Stupid Dumb Breast Cancer, an unconventional initiative to promote awareness, early detection and advocacy, with a special focus on how the disease impacts younger people.

Why are you running for a seat on the Onondaga County Legislature?

The decisions that the legislature makes can have a profound impact on the lives and livelihood of our residents. Our county needs people with humility, confidence and drive to be of service. I am honest and willing to stand up for what is right even if it means being unpopular. I hope to bring new perspective to the table, and as an Independent, I work well with both Democrats and Republicans. Last, I believe this is one of the most important jobs I will ever have. I think I can make a real difference and I am prepared for the personal sacrifices that come along with the job.

What are your thoughts on consolidation/shared services within the county?

I believe we should look for cost saving measures wherever possible but the full consensus report is a non-starter for many of the residents of my district. As a legislator I will encourage the county to explore opportunities for shared services on a smaller scale, and if there is an opportunity to save money, reduce spending and cut taxes as a result of shared services while not reducing the quality of services being provided, I fully support the effort. 

What do you see as the biggest issue Onondaga County faces, and if elected, how would you address this?

I believe one of the biggest issues for our county is economic growth/job creation. Well-paying jobs and a job-ready workforce are vital to economic growth and the prosperity of our community. And because the state imposes many burdens on local business owners, the county needs to be proactive and creative in advancing economic development. This requires collaboration with educators, workforce development programs, and business leaders. For example, the fields of education and medical are high paying fields with wonderful future potential for our citizens, and we have a great base established through our local hospitals, as well as SU, LeMoyne and OCC. We should explore new partnerships between these institutions and local, regional and national companies to attract new medical and educational opportunities to CNY. 

What distinguishes you from the other candidate?

The biggest difference is that I am a young, energized and open-minded Independent. There is a thirst for change among voters and a good place to start is by electing a new generation. We need new blood, new ideas and independent thinkers who will strive to find the best idea with the freedom of not being tied to any political ideology.