The Messenger sent a questionnaire to the candidates running in the town of Lysander election. Below are their responses.
Town Supervisor
Kevin A Rode
Democrat, Conservative
What makes you the ideal candidate?
Before winning a seat on the Town Board in 2021, I attended Town Board Meetings, Town Budget and Work Sessions for over 10 years.  I consistently asked questions of our elected officials and offered suggestions and solutions to Town issues.  Now, with almost 2 years on the Town Board, I have been able to see “behind the curtain” and will use that experience to run the office effectively.  My work in the private sector as an Operations Manager has given me the skills required to manage multiple employees and look for solutions to issues from multiple angles.  I feel my cross-endorsement from both the Conservative Party and Democratic Party shows that I can find a “common ground” to achieve a mutual outcome.  I have also lived in different parts of Lysander over my life. From Coppernoll Rd., to Church Rd., to now the Radisson Community, I have experienced the rural and suburban areas of Lysander and understand the different issues within those unique areas that our citizens face.
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for the office of Town Supervisor because I feel Lysander deserves a Town Supervisor that understands their role in our local government and will facilitate and communicate effectively with not only the public, but also with the Town employees and other Elected officials.  We need to be more proactive rather than reactive to the issues that arise in Lysander.  I want to increase communication with the taxpayers and citizens so they look at their Town Government as a resource to assist them and allow them to give their opinion on an issue freely.
What are the most important issues the community is facing and what would you do about them?
I see Residential and Commercial growth as two of our largest issues facing Lysander.  With announcements of large companies and possible development in Onondaga County, our Town Board will have to decide where Lysander fits into the growth of Onondaga County over the next few years.  I will not only ask for, but also listen to public input.  This brings up the issue of the lack of public comment at our Town Board Meetings.  Our current Town Supervisor has limited public comment to agenda items only at Town Board Meetings.  While our laws do not require public comment or input, I believe a citizen should be able to ask questions of their Town Board and other elected officials pertaining to town issues.  I will adjust the meeting to allow citizens to ask questions and receive answers publicly.  I believe our residents and taxpayers want to help Lysander be great community, and the Town Supervisor should allow that productive input.
Robert A. Wicks (incumbent)
Republican
What makes you the ideal candidate?
Background
My education and experience include:
Master of Public Administration; Bachelor of Arts-Business Administration (Cum Laude); FBI National Academy-Session 215 Graduate; Central New York Regional Police Academy Graduate; CW Baker High School Graduate; Town Supervisor-Town of Lysander; Chief of Police-Village of Marcellus; Police Lieutenant-Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office; First Vice President/Founding Member-Onondaga County Deputy Sheriffs Police Association; Consultant-CAM Hospitality Advisors and Management; Adjunct Instructor-Keuka College, Onondaga Community College
Accomplishments
What I have accomplished my first four years in office include:
Lowered the tax rate by 18.3%; Stopped annual property assessments; Utilized grant funding to complete over two million dollars’ worth of infrastructure improvements; Completed over $400,000 worth of park improvements with grant funding; Upgraded much of the Town’s highway and park equipment; Initiated extra exemptions for Volunteer Firefighters
Why are you running for this position?
Over the last four years I have been able to address numerous issues and have had success completing them, but there is still work to complete. There are several park projects that we have started, and I would like to follow through with them. I am working with our first responders to develop a comprehensive emergency response plan, which will take time to complete. I have been appointed to a county committee by Ryan McMahon to address Micron issues and I want to continue working with our legislators and public officials to represent Lysander’s concerns.
What are the most important issues the community is facing and what would you do about them?
With the current economy and inflation, keeping taxes down will be a challenge. I will continue to find grant funding to help keep the Town budget stable. Additionally, I have been very frugal with spending and have increased our fund balance (the Town’s savings account). By having a healthy fund balance, we eliminate the need to borrow for smaller projects and we can use fund balance to help keep the tax rate low.
Micron will be coming to our community shortly. While there are many exciting changes on the horizon, there are many challenges as well. Every town in the northern part of the county will be pressured to build housing and to develop in their town. I envision our town growing, but with small quaint shops like many of the towns I have seen in New England. The small towns in New England are full of shops run by local entrepreneurs and offer unique shopping experiences. Small towns that can attract and support various restaurants, stores, and services, enjoy an excellent quality of life for their residents. I will work with developers, State and County officials to ensure our community continues to enjoy the quality of life we are accustomed to and limit unnecessary growth.
I hear on a regular basis that traffic is a problem in the town, especially in the village.  I have met with all our legislators, Congressman Willams, Senators May and Mannion, Assemblymen Barkley and Lemondes, and County Executive McMahon about this issue. Each legislator agrees that traffic is a problem for Lysander residents. I will continue to work with our legislators to find a solution to this complex issue.
I see the need for more senior housing. Additional senior housing will provide our parents and grandparents with the opportunity to downsize without having to leave our community. Right now, there is little or no senior housing available in our community. When a senior downsizes, it opens up a home that a younger family can now move into. I will collaborate with any developer that wants to do business in the town and encourage them to add senior housing to any new project.
Town Councilor (vote for 2)
Peter Moore (incumbent)
Republican, Conservative
What makes you the ideal candidate?
My background as both a teacher and a town councilor make me the ideal candidate for this position. Having been a town councilor for approximately 8 years, I recognize that in order for someone to do this job effectively, you must be willing to listen to others’ opinions with an open mind. The people of Lysander care deeply about their community, and emotions can run high at times because of this. I bring a unique skill set to the Town Board in this regard. I encourage the sharing of ideas, listen respectfully to all who come before the board, and make decisions based on what I have heard. I realize that I am a representative of the members of our community, and therefore it is their opinions that matter most.
My experience over the last 8 years is also very important as we develop the town’s budget each year. The Town of Lysander has the second lowest tax rate in Onondaga County. This does not happen by accident; it happens because of good leadership, and I am proud to have been part of that leadership in my past two terms.
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for this position because I love Baldwinsville and the Town of Lysander. My wife is a lifelong resident of the Village of Baldwinsville, we raised our two children here, I have worked as a teacher in the Baldwinsville Central School District for the past 28 years, and I have been an active member of the Baldwinsville Kiwanis Club for about 25 years. I believe that my presence on the Town Board has had a positive impact on our town, and I’d like to continue serving my community in this capacity.
What are the most important issues the community is facing and what would you do about them?
Our community is not immune to the impact that double digit inflation has had on our country. Many families are finding it harder and harder to cover the costs associated with raising a family. As a board, we have kept taxes low for all homeowners, given tax breaks to our volunteer firemen, increased the income cutoff for tax exemptions for seniors, and put a moratorium on property assessments. As we work to create the 2024 budget, I am acutely aware of every dime we propose to spend, and I am equally aware of wants versus needs.
With Micron coming to Central New York, Lysander is feeling the pressure to grow. It is very important that any growth that takes place does not change the character of our community. As I said before, people who live here love the aesthetics of Lysander and the Greater Baldwinsville area. I will work diligently to ensure that any growth that may happen here preserves the integrity of our community.
Jeffrey Kudarauskas (incumbent)
Republican, Conservative
What makes you the ideal candidate?
I have Board experience from this past term, experience in the corporate business world and experience as a small business owner.  I have voted yes on the following items and drafted local law which passed 5-0 (Fence Law)
Freezing Assessments
Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance personal real property tax exemption
Lowered the tax rate by 18% over 3 years. (2024 Budget not completed as of this publication)
Increase spending in Highway Department
Moratorium on Solar Farms/ Battery Storage
I have voted no on the following items.
Voted no on tax break for Apartment complex. (Rt 31/Drakes Landing)
I will vote no to the revised (2023 V2.0) Melvin Farms project.
Why are you running for this position?
I am seeking re-election for Town Board because I love Lysander and the people who make it so livable.  I want to continue to represent your views and be your voice on the Board.  I want to remain one of five decision makers to develop the future for our community, ensure its alignment with your values, and support the vision that you have for the future of your family.  I want our children to raise their children in this beautiful community that will become, and in some ways already is, a model for innovation and sustainable development. I have a young family and a genuine passion for this Community, its people, and its future success. As a parent of two children, I can appreciate the utmost importance of living in a community that is safe and affordable, while offering the amenities young and old families require.
What are the most important issues the community is facing and what would you do about them?
The Most important issue our community is facing is growth and re-zoning designated land use.  We all need to encourage growth in our town, where businesses can thrive, and families can walk and bike to their favorite destination. We need Policies that protect the rural landscape help preserve open space, protect air, and water quality, provide more places for recreation, and create tourist attractions that bring investments into the local economy.
Will Stowell
Democrat
What makes you the ideal candidate?
I have almost 20 years of successful operations, personnel and budget management experience.  I’ve learned that open and honest communication is the key to coming together to resolve any problem in the best way possible. I believe that is key in government as well. Elected officials who encourage a strong level of engagement with residents is what we need here in Lysander.
Why are you running for this position?
I view this position as an opportunity to serve my community.  While serving as Councilor I will work wholly for the betterment of the entire town.
What are the most important issues the community is facing and what would you do about them?
The Town of Lysander needs to come together and decide how we can meet the needs and wants of the community while pursuing opportunities for equitable and profitable development.  There has been an adversarial relationship between developers and community members for every project that I have been privy to.  There has to be a better way for us all to come together to figure out a plan that will work for everyone.  I want to work to facilitate a way forward that we can all be proud of.
Town Justice
Charles J. Mantione Jr.  (incumbent)
Party: Republican, Conservative
What makes you the ideal candidate?
I have been your Lysander Town Justice for the past 12 years and an attorney for 24 years.  In addition, to my years of experience in all Town Court matters and laws as Judge, I have completed over 140 hours of Continued Judicial Education in the areas of Criminal law, Traffic Law, Civil Law, Landlord-Tenant law, Court procedures, and Judicial Ethics.  I have been trained to be an “Accessible Judge” for arraignments of minors, and a regular participant as the Judge for the Centralized Arraignment Part Court. I am also a member of both the New York State and Onondaga County Magistrate Associations.
Why are you running for this position?
Serving as your Town Justice has been both professionally and personally rewarding. I have lived in our town for over 18 years and have four children. Two of them graduated from Baldwinsville, while two are still in the school district. I have a vested interest in this town and understand the importance of a safe community with a judicial court that is run with fairness and integrity.  As your Town Justice, I have and will always do my part to reinforce these principles.
What are the most important issues the community is facing and what would you do about them?
Judicial campaign ethics do not let me comment on specific issues or views of these issues. I can comment on what I have accomplished as your Town Justice. While serving as Town Judge, I have updated and improved the court’s technology, security and accessibility. This was accomplished by expanding the information on the court’s website and developing an avenue for citizens to pay fines online. In addition, I secured a grant for $30,000 to update the courtroom. These updates include a centralized court office/pay window, a holding room for safe detaining of defendants that are transported from the Justice Center on court nights, and a handicap accessible ramp. These updates allowed the court to be in compliance with both the Unified Court Security Assessment and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  As your Town Justice, I will continue to run our court with professionalism, integrity, and efficiency.
Kenneth Christopher
Democrat
What makes you the ideal candidate?
My name is Ken Christopher, and I am running for Lysander Town Justice. I am married, have two children, ages 12 and 1, and we reside in Radisson. I received my undergraduate degree at Le Moyne College and went on to graduate from Syracuse University College of Law.
I am a partner with the firm of Christopher & McQuillan, LLP.  For the last 15 years I have practiced almost exclusively Criminal Defense. I have handled every level of case from the easiest traffic ticket to Murder in the First Degree, including conducting several jury trials. I have been a mentor attorney for the Onondaga County Assigned Counsel Program since 2020, providing education and guidance to new attorneys. I have also handled landlord tenant matters and town ordinance cases.
Why are you running for this position?
Lysander Town Court is primarily a criminal court. I feel that it is vital for judges who preside over criminal matters to have a background in criminal law as these decisions can have a profound impact on the individuals before the Court. My background makes me uniquely qualified for the position of Town Justice and I hope to earn your support in the upcoming election.
What are the most important issues the community is facing and what would you do about them?
Judicial campaign ethics do not allow me to comment on specific issues. I believe that everyone that appears before the Court has the right to be treated with respect and the right to be heard. I believe that my experience and background would allow me to serve with these ideals in mind.