Because our village matters

To the editor:

In our current polarized and vitriolic political climate, many have asked as I campaign door-to-door why would anyone ever seek elected office?

My response is always the same. Because regardless of the political climate our village still matters.

I have been honored to be of service to the Village of Manlius while on the planning board, as a trustee and finally as mayor. Being able to have a positive impact on the quality of village resident’s lives while holding the line on spending and reducing the burden of village taxes far out weighs any negative aspect entering the public arena may bring. Mean-spirited name callers, vicious smears and nasty nay-sayers have not and will not define me, deter me or defeat me.

The personal, professional and health hurdles I have overcome in my life have tempered my resolve, grit and fortitude to face any challenge head-on.

I also have an enthusiastic running mate for trustee in Bruce Teague who is equally ready, willing and able to serve the Village of Manlius.

But most of all, it is the eternal gratitude my family and I have for Manlius since moving here in 1968 which continues to compel me to “pay it forward” with service to our village. Innovative problem solving solutions with vision will certainly enhance the future of Manlius and help inspire candidates many years from now to want to serve this great village we call home.

On behalf of Bruce Teague and myself, I respectfully request your support and write-in vote on March 16th or on your absentee ballot. Because your vote matters! Because your voice matters! Because your village matters!

Mark-Paul Serafin

Manlius

Serafin responds to criticisms
To the editor:
Before entering the race for trustee in the village of Manlius, both Bruce Teague and I agreed it would be a positive, forward looking, vision-based campaign and effort to earn the vote of our fellow residents.
As evidenced by a recent town of Manlius resident’s letter to the editor, some are more inclined to be judgmentally stuck in the past. To quote a popular phrase, “haters gonna hate.” Too bad!
Not only did this hater list half-truths as fact regarding my tenure as mayor, he berated my condolences to a family I have had a relationship with for over 50 years with the loss of their patriarch. So sad!
While I can’t control the mean-spirited actions of others, I can certainly control my response. And that response is never to be defined, deterred or defeated by narrow minded, bare knuckled mudslingers. Never!
I respectfully ask for your support and write-in vote for trustee on March 16. Because Manlius matters. Vote!
Mark-Paul Serafin
Manlius

Publisher’s Note: It is the policy of Eagle News not to run election related letters to the editor in the edition prior to an election because there is no opportunity for responses in print. We do run these letters on eaglenewsonline.com. We make an exception to that policy when a letter, like this one, is written in response to a previously published letter.