To the editor:
I have had the honor of serving the people of DeWitt as town councilor these last four years. My work for the people of DeWitt has been deeply fulfilling as I have striven to protect our residents, stimulate our economic future and preserve the town’s natural and historic treasures. I’d like the opportunity to continue this work for my town after election day – November 7.
DeWitt is a great place to live being home to many valuable natural assets such as the Erie Canal, Butternut Creek and important wetlands. And with 30 percent of all commercial zoning and 46 percent of all industrial zoning within Onondaga County, DeWitt has the potential to have an enormous economic impact for the entire county. Our thriving business community continues to grow with increasingly more new businesses — both domestic and international — choosing to relocate in DeWitt. Our historic Hamlet of Jamesville is home to well-maintained artifacts and structures from over 150 years ago.
As a town councilor, I value the heritage of our town while maintaining an eye to the future. Updating our Town’s Comprehensive Plan is a way we have assured that our town will develop according to our values while at the same time, stimulate economic growth. Planning for the future, we continue to look for ways to both save money and reduce our environmental footprint- they often go hand-in-hand. These are some of the creative ways we use to try to keep our taxes stable.
I recognize our need to accommodate our aging population and young families by looking to create a more walkable town and allow our seniors to age in place as well as encourage our children to come back home to raise their families. I will continue to press for a sensible plan for connective paths to allow us the option to walk or bike to work, school, shopping or places of worship.
My time as a police commissioner has seen our force attain CALEA certification — one of the highest and most difficult accreditation for a police force. This helps assure the highest standards for our residents. Our police commission is also now more reflective of our population with more people of color and women who are there to advise and give perspective to our chief.
Thanks to this and other work I have done for the residents of DeWitt that I was recently designated as a ‘Progressive Champion of 2017’ from the state Working Families Party as well as receiving a New York State Social Justice PAC endorsement.
Additionally, I am proud to have received endorsements from the Veteran’s Party, Democratic Party, Working Families Party, the Women’s Equality Party, the Teamsters Local 317, the United Auto Workers Region 9, the 1199 SEIU, CSEA Local 1000 and the Greater Syracuse Labor Council who awarded me and my colleague, Sam Young the ‘Friend of Labor Award 2016’.
I would appreciate to be re-elected on Nov. 7 so that I can continue working hard for the residents of DeWitt.
Kerin Rigney
DeWitt
