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 is written in response to a previously published letter.
One candidate
To the editor:
As a former village trustee serving 8 years as deputy mayor of Skaneateles and currently the chairman of the municipal board, I have had a front row seat to the workings and decisions that have shaped our community for over 15 years.
In this upcoming mayoral election on Tuesday March 16 it is imperative that we select the right person to lead our village government for the next four years. It is clear to me that there is only “one candidate.”
One candidate actually lives in the village, has raised a family here, pays taxes, operated a business, retired from a teaching career and has volunteered in the town and village for years.
One candidate understands that although we all love the lake and take personal responsibility to limit any negative impact we have on the environment, the village has absolutely no jurisdiction regarding Skaneateles Lake. That responsibility falls on New York State Office of General Services’ Bureau of Land Management, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse.
One candidate realizes that, through the village’s extensive stormwater collection system and topography of the watershed, over 85% of the water that falls within the one square mile of our village flows into the Skaneateles creek and north to Lake Ontario, not into Skaneateles Lake.
One candidate realizes that staffing the advisory boards, (planning, zoning, municipal, tree advisory, historical and cemetery) is a responsibility of the mayor and village board. These boards allow village resident to have constructive input in the direction taken by the village board and are essential to the democracy of our village.
One candidate understands the magnitude of the position of mayor, and its limits, and realizes that no one person can make a decision regarding changes to village law without public hearings and a majority vote taken the village board of trustees.
One candidate knows that the mayor and village board have fiduciary responsibly over our budget to maintain the health and safety of our residents. This includes supporting our police, fire and public works departments, adhering to the strict and non-negotiable guidelines of the Onondaga Department of Health for drinking water and the NYS DEC for effluent from our sanitary treatment facility.
Our only “one candidate” for the position of mayor is Mary Sennett. Please support Mary and cast a vote for her on Tuesday March 16.
Marc Angelillo
Skaneateles
Support for Ford
To the editor:
I’m writing to endorse Zack Ford for mayor of the Village of Skaneateles.
I knew Zack when he was a child, playing with my kids. Zack and I reconnected a few years ago when he came onto the local scene, primarily to fight for environmental issues, particularly the excessive use of pesticides and herbicides in the Skaneateles Lake watershed.
I won’t deny that Zack has ruffled a few feathers, but he’s also raised awareness of issues that are primarily related to protecting our immediate environment. As I see it, Zack’s beliefs mirror the concept, “Think globally, act locally.”
People may dismiss Zack as being “naive” when it comes to politics and environmental issues. But his fresh perspective gives us a candidate who isn’t satisfied with wringing his hands and saying, “What can we do? People want nice lawns.”
Instead of asking what measures we can enact—preferably without endless debate—he simply wants to stop the environmentally unsound practices, and get to work to remedy problems that have already made their presence known, in the form of algae, the result of chemical runoff, inadequate permeable ground surface, etc.
All of us acknowledge that our lives literally depend on the health of the lake. It provides our water. It attracts residents and tourists. Most importantly, the watershed is an environmental treasure. It’s more fragile than most of us realize.
We don’t like to think about our mortality. We don’t like to admit that the structures we build and the effects of the ones we demolish have impacts that extend far beyond our lifetimes. We can begin to build a legacy that ensures a healthy future for our environment. I believe Zack is the candidate who can launch us on that path.
Zack’s ambitions for protecting our environment are not overreaching. They are attainable and will benefit all of us, now, and especially our children and their children in the future.
I hear complaints that Zack is “rough around the edges.” But maintaining the status-quo will not save our lake. In fact, the status quo is what has negatively impacted our lake in the first place.
Village and even town positions are essentially devoid of party politics. (Hallelujah!) Our boards do not hold sway over issues of religion, international policy, immigration, etc.
The mayor is not an autocrat. Zack would have the input—and the restraint—of the village board. I suggest that it is time for a change, because we need it.
Donna Himelfarb
Skaneateles
Activist vs. candidate
To the editor:
In years past, when I was an activist, it is true I ruffled a few feathers. That’s the job of the activist, to be an agent of change, and the result of those efforts is that several businesses in Skaneateles stopped using toxic lawn treatments that seep into our lake and endanger children and pets.
But I do understand the mantle of responsibility that comes with being an elected official. The mayor is a representative of the people, and that job entails honesty, dignity, and respect.
If you’ve been following my campaign on social media, I’m sure you’ve seen that change from activist to candidate reflected on Facebook and Instagram. I am also aware that many younger people have begun following my campaign, so I have been especially conscious to always set a good example.
I would be humbled to have your vote, and you have my word that I would work every day to make sure you were glad that you put your trust in me. Don’t forget, your mayor works for you.
Zack Ford
Skaneateles
A vote for Ford is a vote for all of us
To the editor:
I moved to Skaneateles when I was starting ninth grade. My first few days of high school I was nervous and extremely anxious.
Zack must have noticed my anxiety because he went out of his way to strike up a conversation and invited me to sit with him at lunch so I wouldn’t feel alienated or left out when I walked into that lunch room not knowing anybody. I have always remembered that small act of kindness from Zack. He is hard working, intelligent, and dedicated to anything he takes on.
One thing people might not know about Zack is that in high school he worked as a reporter for the Auburn Citizen, and when he went to college he stayed in Manhattan during 9/11 to cover the aftermath for the newspaper.
He has always been undaunted in the face of adversity, and therefore I see him as the best candidate to take on the challenges our community faces, such as the toxic algal blooms in our lake, which threaten not only our safety but our economy. I moved to North Carolina but had always kept in touch with Zack through the years.
Then about three years ago I moved back to Skaneateles and I was really impressed with all the time and effort Zack was putting in to try and make a difference in our town. Many of my peers don’t pay much attention to politics or worry about trying to fix things like our lake, so I was glad to have a friend that actually cares about the same things I do.
I respected his persistence going to town meetings and bringing attention to the important issues our town faces. I especially loved that he went around to the many shops suggesting they fly the Pride flag. Just like that invitation to sit with him at lunch all those years ago, he still wants everyone to feel welcome and valued.
I was overjoyed when he decided to run for mayor because I know he would bring that inclusive and caring nature to the role. He’s the only candidate for mayor that has a clear plan to bring everyone together while saving our lake.
This election is a referendum — do we want more years of inaction by the same politicians who seem to care more about being elected than actually leading, or do we want something better for our community, our lake, and our future? I know I am sick of the same old, same old and that is why Zack Ford has my vote.
Kelly Kulis
Skaneateles
Support for Ford
To the editor:
I have known Zack and his family for more than 30 years, and know that he is willing to have a conversation about pretty much anything. Over the past year, he’s tried to engage the village board on a number of topics, and occasions.
When met with silence, or even threat of arrest for trying to present a petition, he got a little frustrated. But in the frustration, he’s made more friends than detractors. How? Well, when people actually give him a moment to explain his positions, you realize he cares deeply about the health of our lake and those who live around it.
Zack also cares about the role of government. He understands its purpose is not just to administer services efficiently – but in a representative democracy, to be a forum to share ideas, concerns, and share a vision of a better future.
Many of the village residents over the past few years have been told they are not allowed to speak at a public meeting. And not just at village meetings, but at planning board meetings as well.
Citizens have had to file Freedom Of Information Act requests or hire lawyers just to find out public information not shared by the current crew of village representatives.
Skaneateles deserves better representation and a local government that actually engages in conversations with its residents – whether they agree or not. Zack will bring a collaborative spirit back to our village, and protect our lake and our rights as citizens.
Mike Krebs
Skaneateles
