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.
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. (Click here to read the candidate questionnaire responses by the town councilor candidates.)
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 supervisor candidates organized by alphabetical order of last names:
Town Supervisor
Nancy Durkin
Political Affiliation: Democrat, endorsed by the Working Families Party, the Women’s Equality Party, the Greater Syracuse Labor Counsel and supported by the New York State United Teachers.
Education background and professional history: I have a BS from Concordia University and a Master’s Degree from Lehman College. I worked as an elementary school teacher in the East Syracuse Minoa school district for 34 years.
Community service and previous political office history: I have been the chair on the board of directors for the Fayetteville-Manlius A Better Chance program (ABC) for the past two years where I oversee the budget, obtain funding and make sure the organization runs in compliance with ABC’s mission. I was chair on the Town of Manlius Democratic Committee for nine years. From 2012-15, I was on the board of the Greater Manlius Chamber of Commerce and won the Volunteer of the Year award in 2012. I was on the board of the Fayetteville Free Library from 2008-12 and was chair from 2012-14. While employed as a teacher, I volunteered my time serving on the boards of multiple teacher-affiliated organizations. I also served as president of the ESM Teacher Union for eight years.
Why are you running for town supervisor?
I have been an active member of the town of Manlius community for many years, but recent politics have inspired me to do more. Currently, every town of Manlius official belongs to the same political party and they have had a hold on our government for too long. We need diversity of officials so that all residents can be represented by their supervisor and board. I will bring a forward-thinking strategic role to our local government that has been missing in recent years. I have a vision that will lead us all to a better future.
What are your thoughts on consolidation/shared services within the town?
Before we look at consolidation with other towns and counties, we need to make sure we’re doing all that we can within our own town. We need to collaborate in a non-partisan way with all of the villages and hamlets. It is essential that we provide the best services for our constituents while keeping taxes the same. Funds must be used wisely and effectively. Efficiency is key.
What do you see as the biggest issue Manlius faces and, if elected, how would you address this?
The Town of Manlius does not have a comprehensive plan and, because of that, we are at a standstill. We need to make goals and then work towards meeting those goals. I will investigate and address issues the town faces like traffic, environmental sustainability and cultural awareness. We need open communication with residents and business owners. I will take the time to listen to the concerns of community members in the Village of Manlius, the Village of Fayetteville, the Village of Minoa and all of the hamlets. We will work together for a common cause and the town will thrive because of it.
What distinguished you from your opponent?
I bring new ideas and a fresh perspective. I have many years of experience working with various organizations, managing their budgets and leading them to succeed. I think outside the box to come up with solutions to problems and I surround myself with people who are equally open-minded.
Edmond J. Theobald
Political Affiliation: Republican, endorsed by Republican, Conservative, Independence, Onondaga Veterans and Tax Payers First parties.
Educational and professional history: Edmond J. Theobald Financial Services 2001 to present (owner); insurance and financial industry 1977 to present; US Army during the Vietnam Era 1972-74 (honorable discharge); AAS Degree SUNY Morrisville; numerous insurance and financial continuing education; Cazenovia Central School.
Community service and previous political office history: For over 39 years I have lived in the Town of Manlius (38 as a Minoa resident) and my involvement in local community services are many. Former president of St. Mary’s of Minoa’s parish council, two terms; former lector, commentator and cantor for St. Mary’s parish; former vice president and director of officials of the ESM youth sports; Recipient of the George Rees Memorial Award presented by ESM Youth Sorts; Lifetime ESM High School Booster Club member; most recently was a cast member in the Town of Manlius play, Bye Bye Birdie (2017); Minoa Village Trustee 2004-09; and Town of Manlius Supervisor 2010 to present.
Why are you running for Town Supervisor?
In this position, knowing that I make a difference in helping the town of Manlius remain a safe and great place to live is my main motivation. No matter where I am, whether it is at town hall, in a store or restaurant, residents will talk with me freely about their concerns. I enjoy the opportunity to discuss those concerns knowing I can truly be of service to them in resolving their issues.
What are your thoughts on consolidation/shared services within the town?
This is nothing new to us and I believe we, at the local level, have the best handle on implementing it correctly when it is needed. The mere assertion from Albany directing us to consolidate, along with any other shared service recommendation like the Consensus Report, is an insult to all of us in our towns, villages, city and county who have already done this successfully for years and are still doing it.
What do you see as the biggest issue Manlius faces and if elected, how would you address this?
As town supervisor, I am Chief Financial Officer of the town. Therefore, as is the case in those of us in this position, keeping our $14 million budget under control, which means keeping taxes under control, is really my biggest issue. Our board has managed to reduce our tax rate two years in a row and stay below the property tax cap.
A challenging accomplishment considering today’s economic climate and Albany’s unfunded mandates. Meeting with residents, they are mainly concerned with state and school taxes and are most complimentary of the way, we as a board, do keep our taxes under control. This is a team effort and I commend all of our departments along with their board liaisons in successfully meeting these challenges.
What distinguishes you from your opponent?
Experience. I have 14 years working in municipal government. Six years as the Village of Minoa trustee and eight years as Manlius town supervisor. My years of community service has established expanded relationships, solidifying open communication with all three village mayors, two school district superintendents and four fire departments chiefs.
