By Hayleigh Gowans
Staff Writer
On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7, residents in the town of Manlius will have the opportunity to select candidates for town supervisor, town justice, town clerk, receiver of taxes, highway superintendent and three town councilor positions.
Incumbent Republican Ed Theobald is being challenged by Democrat Nancy Durkin for town supervisor. (Click here to read the town supervisor candidate profiles.)
Three seats for town councilor are up for election and incumbent Republicans Vince Giordano, Karen Green and Dave Marnell are seeking reelection. Democrats Sara Bollinger and Patrick Donnelly also vie to be elected to these positions.
For Manlius Town Justice, Democrat Tim McMahon is challenging incumbent Republican Bob O’Leary (Click here to read the town justice candidate questionnaires).
Incumbent Republican town clerk Allison Weber is seeking reelection against Democrat John Deer (Click here to read the responses from the town clerk candidates), and Democrat Elvis Mehmedovic is challenging incumbent Republican Laura Peschel for the receiver of taxes positions. (Click here to read the receiver of taxes questionnaire.)
Incumbent highway supervisor Republican Robert Cushing will seek reelection to his seat unopposed.
Polls on Election Day will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7. For more information about the elections, go to ongov.net/elections/index.html.
The Eagle Bulletin distributed uniform candidate questionnaires for all of the contested elections in Manlius.
Following are the responses of town councilor candidate organized by alphabetical order of last names:
Town councilor (Pick 3)
Sara Bollinger
Political Affiliation: Democrat, endorsed by the Working Families and Women’s Equality Parties.
Educational background and professional history: I have been the executive director of four nonprofit agencies during my career. I understand management, budgeting, reporting and problem solving, and am eager to devote these skills in service to the residents of the town of Manlius. I have considerable experience working on government contracts. I am currently an independent management consultant, a role that permits the flexibility to take on elected office. I will bring organizational leadership experience to the town board. I have a master’s degree in Education from Colgate University.
Community service and previous political office history: I am currently an appointed member of the Village of Fayetteville Planning Board and the Onondaga County Community Services Board. I have lived in the town of Manlius for more than 30 years and have attended many municipal board meetings. I have helped other candidates with their campaigns. I have volunteered on the board of several nonprofit agencies including the CNY Chapter of the ACLU, the Mental Health Association and the NYS Association for Rural Health.
Why are you running for a seat on the town board?
I would like to bring a forward-thinking strategic role to the town board that has been missing in recent years. I will work with community members to develop a Comprehensive Plan that effectively addresses the needs of rural residents and farmers, accesses commercial opportunities, fosters recreational and cultural participation, encourages small business and supports suburban commuters.
As we all know, good government requires diversity of opinion. Government in the town of Manlius lacks diverse representation. Currently, all elected positions are held by Republicans, although Republicans make up only 32 percent of the registered voters in the town of Manlius.
What are your thoughts on consolidation/shared services within the town?
I value our villages and hamlets and will work to develop a more coordinated relationship with them. My goals include strengthening clustered residential and business districts [incorporated as villages or not] while preserving green spaces between them. I believe there are many opportunities for shared services and equipment that will not require dissolution of any municipality. I have attended meetings of Consensus and the shared services plan to better understand our options.
What do you see as the biggest issue Manlius faces, and if elected, how would you address this?
Manlius is a wonderful place. My goal is to preserve the quality of life we have come to expect, while reducing the cost of local government. I believe we can have better Manlius government by increasing diversity, efficiency and transparency. For example, I would like to: foster greater citizen engagement; diversify town staff and consultants; streamline operational expenses; engage an accounting firm to conduct a full audit of town of Manlius finances, and make the results public; facilitate access to minutes of committees, councils and commissions on the town website; make town budget details and proceedings more accessible to residents.
What distinguishes you from other candidates?
I will advocate for greater citizen engagement and management efficiency. As town councilor, I will proactively seek both resident input and grant funding opportunities to make Manlius an even better place to live, work, learn and play.
Patrick Donnelly
Political Affiliation: Town of Manlius Democratic Party.
Educational background and professional history: Education: Juris Doctorate (J.D.), 2008 Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, White Plains, New York; Pace Environmental Law Review editor; Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), 2002 Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University; Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Marine Science, 2000, Southampton College, Long Island University, Southampton, New York.
Professional history: I have worked for private law firms in New York State since I graduated from law school in 2008. At these firms, I represented municipalities and property owners in municipal, land use, zoning, environmental, real property tax and condemnation law. I have helped municipalities develop policy and draft local laws.
Current position: Of Counsel Brown Sharlow Duke & Fogel, P.C. Syracuse.
Community service and previous political office history: Town of Manlius Democratic Committee member; 2016 Literacy CNY Scrabble Mania Champion; Volunteer for political campaigns for Democratic party candidates; Community Organizer in the Bronx; President of environmental club, Southampton College; President of Helping Hands (community service club), Southampton College; President of high school environmental club.
Why are you running for a seat on the town board?
I am a reasonable, decent and kind individual who is frustrated with the results of the presidential election and national politics. Our country can do better, and part of that effort starts locally. The development of national candidates often starts at the local level, and officials must be pressured to do better. I am well qualified and competent. As an attorney who has represented towns and drafted local laws and as a graduate of the Maxwell School, where I learned to develop budgets and policies, I have experience and knowledge to be an excellent town councilor.
What are your thoughts on consolidation/shared services within the town?
I am very much in favor of efficient, effective government and lower property taxes. Therefore, I am in favor of consolidating and sharing services whenever it makes sense and provides effective service. Positions that can be consolidated efficiently and effectively with others should be phased out over time as people retire or leave for other positions.
What do you see as the biggest issue Manlius faces, and if elected, how would you address this?
I plan to work on local issues such as traffic, making the town government open and efficient, improving energy efficiency of municipal buildings and street lights and property taxes. However, I think the biggest issues Manlius faces are national issues. The issues that keep me and my wife up late at night include healthcare, college costs for our children and gun violence. Therefore, I will continue to work locally to support competent candidates who are reasonable, decent and kind and who will work with Republicans, Democrats and other parties to make our town and our country better.
What distinguishes you from other candidates?
I am an attorney who has represented towns and drafted local laws. I have helped towns address property taxes and stay within the tax cap. I have a Master of Public Administration from the Maxwell School where I was taught to develop reasonable, efficient and effective budgets and policies.
Vince Giordano
Political Affiliation: Republican.
Educational background and professional history: I attended Onondaga Community College and several class at Carrier. I am retired from United Technologies Carrier Transicold Division with 38 years of service.
I held several upper management positions during my 38 years with the Carrier Transicold Division. My major responsibilities included developing and maintaining annual budgets of more than $3 million. I held the position of chairman for the United States on the International Standards Committee to regulate the worldwide Commercial and Naval ship building for H.V.A.C. equipment.
I have successfully operated Sno Top Ice Cream on the main street in the Manlius village for 43 years. I am the major sponsor of the Fayetteville-Manlius Little league program.
Community service and previous political office history: I have lived in the Village and Town of Manlius all my life. I am a past President of the Manlius Lions Club; a member of the Greater Manlius Chamber of Commerce; past president of the National Ice Cream Retailers Association; chairman Town of Manlius Zoning Board; current Manlius Town Councilor.
Why are you running for a seat on the town board?
Currently I serve on the Manlius Town Board as a councilor. I have been on the board for seven years. I feel that I bring to the town board a strong knowledge of employee relations. How to manage the many costs that we must work with and not burden the town residents. I have a strong back ground in customer relations.
What are your thoughts on consolidation/shared services within the town?
I was also a member of the Manlius Town Shared Services and Consolidation Committee. That committee works on many projects that help the town and villages work together and save costs. The town shares major road equipment with villages to cover the cost of buying equipment that they may use once during the year. We have assisted with trucks for large road projects. We have shared our codes officer in the villages to help keep their costs down. Worked to have all the fire departments purchase similar equipment from suppliers.
What do you see as the biggest issue Manlius faces, and if elected, how would you address this?
The biggest issue in the town is growth. Traffic is getting to be more difficult. More people are moving to the suburbs from the city. We have one of the best schools in the area. We need to complete traffic studies to help for the further.
What distinguishes you from other candidates?
I’m a life resident of Manlius I understand the needs of the residents. I have pushed for help in sewer districts in areas that did have them. I have had fire hydrants put in areas where it was difficult for the needed fire protection. These were efforts that I worked on before coming on the board.
Karen Green
Political Affiliation: Republican, endorsed by Conservative, Independence, Taxpayers First and Onondaga County Veterans parties.
Educational background and professional history: Cazenovia College, honors degree in Business Administration/Finance; Community General Hospital, Medical Data Services; general manager, Stickley, Audi & Co.
Community Service and previous political office history: Manlius Town Board since 2010; former member Town of Manlius Zoning Board of Appeals; member Town of Manlius Critical Response Committee; past president Onondaga County Medical Society Alliance; district councilor, New York State Medical Society Alliance; past president Republican Women of CNY; past president Academy Hill Association; former board member Fayetteville-Manlius Chamber of Commerce; board member Manlius Historical Society.
Why are you running for a seat on the town board?
I am seeking reelection so that we can continue to do a good job for our town. With Supervisor Ed Theobald we have a superb team which continues to make great progress tackling often difficult and challenging issues. I have the commitment and experience necessary to continue bringing effective government to the people. I have been liaisons to the Town of Manlius Police Department, to our recreation department, the receiver of taxes and the town clerk. The “hands on” relationships afforded me by my participation has taught me much.
What are your thoughts on consolidation/shared services within the town?
Consolidation/shared services is not a new idea for the Manlius. In 1985 all three villages entered into a municipal agreement with town and village residents to form the Town of Manlius Police Department. Our town board is always receptive to saving taxpayer’s dollars without compromising services. I believe the best government is closest to the people.
What do you see as the biggest issue Manlius faces, and if elected, how would you address this?
The largest issue is the risk of rising taxes. Our town board is working hard to keep the tax rate at or below the mandate. In 2013 the mandate was 2 percent. With careful fiscal management the town board succeeded in keeping the tax rate below its current rate. Reducing our tax rate below the mandate is a great tribute to the efforts of the town board and department heads. I will continue my commitment to sound fiscal responsibility: keep costs down without compromising services. This helps to attract new residents and stimulate growth in the town. I will continue to support responsible tax policy.
What distinguishes you from other candidates?
Valuable experience based on years of public service and a strong commitment to the future well-being of the town of Manlius. A native of the area I have always been involved in activities and projects that would enhance our town as a great place to live. I have been inspired to serve by several of my family members who have held public office in neighboring towns.
David M. Marnell, Sr.
Political Affiliation: Republican.
Educational background and professional history: B.S. in Accounting from SUNY Utica/College of Technology; 1978-81 Marine Midland Bank, Auditor of Retail Bank Operations throughout NYS; 1981-85 Blue Cross/Blue Shield cost reimbursement specialist; 1985-92 Flagship Securities financial operations principal assisted in expanding business from bond sales to a full-service brokerage house selling equity positions; 1992 to 2008 President & CEO-CFO of the Oncenter Corporation; 2009-10 Tully Hill – CFO Updated computerized accounting systems; 2011-13 Rosen Corporation CFO.
Community service and previous political office history: Former member of the Fayetteville Planning Board; appointed to the Manlius Town Board in 2002, now serving my third term. Treasurer of the Manlius Lions Club; former Member of the Cornell Cooperative Program-Onondaga County, treasurer; former member of the NYS Governor’s Tourism Council, appointed by Governors Pitaki, Spitzer and Paterson; former member International Ticketing Association; former member Onondaga County Historical Association; former member Finance Committee for the Sisters of Saint Francis; former board member for Home Aides of Central New York,; former chairman, Fayetteville Free Library Board, spearheaded the relocation of the former library to the Stickley Factory Building (directing $2.5 million capital campaign and renovation); recipient, Trustee of the Year, Onondaga County Library Association Award, 2003; recipient, Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizen’s Award, 2001; 1996 Atlanta Olympic Committee Member of the Executive Management Team.
Why are you running for a seat on the town board?
I am proud of the town of Manlius, and I want to continue to be a member of the team that assures that Manlius is one of the top 100 communities in which to live in the United State. I firmly believe that our current town government has the ability to do the greatest good for the people of Manlius.
What are your thoughts on consolidation/shared services within the town?
I have always been a proponent and supporter of shared services. I currently serve on the Shared Services Committee for Manlius. One of the first projects that I worked on was offering the residents the option to group purchase trash and brush pickup. This service offered a tremendous cost savings to all residents that chose to opt for this service. Another shared service is group purchasing which allows the town and other municipalities, when jointly committed, to bulk shop and share in the cost savings.
What do you see as the biggest issue Manlius faces, and if elected, how would you address this?
Since 2012, New York State’s tax cap limits every local government that can tax you to growing its levy by 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. The 2 percent has been reduced over the years due to dropping rate of inflation. In 2017, the tax cap was set at .68. As an experienced member of your Town Council, we work very hard and creatively to conform to the tax levy, to minimize spending, maximizing all revenue sources, fulfilling New York state mandates and honoring all union contracts while never compromising on the quality of services our constituents have come to know and expect.
What distinguishes you from other candidates?
I possess over 20 years of solid government experience coupled with my years of extensive and diversified financial and fiscal management experience. Extremely dedicated, results-oriented, with well-developed management, supervisory and public relations skills, I would be honored and humbled to serve another term as your Town of Manlius Councilor.
