The Cazenovia Town Board election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, will offer an uncontested race for town supervisor and a contested race for town board. In the latter race, three candidates — including two incumbents — are seeking to fill two seats.
The Cazenovia Republican sent questionnaires out to each of the town election candidates last week to help town residents understand who is running and where they stand on the issues. Below are profiles of the candidates based on their responses to our questions, beginning current Supervisor Bill Zupan, who is running uncontested for reelection, and followed by the three candidates for town board, listed in alphabetical order.
Bill Zupan
Position seeking
Town supervisor
Political affiliation
Democrat and Strong Community parties
Address and family members
Wellignton Drive, Cazenovia
Wife: Maureen
Education and occupation
BA from Hobart College
Business owner – sand and gravel operation
Political experience
Approximately 20 years on Cazenovia Town Zoning Board of Appeals, including as chairman.
Six years on Cazenovia town board.
Two years as town supervisor.
Why are you running for supervisor?
It is a way to give back to a community that has been great to me and my family and I enjoy the job.
What do you see as the major issues facing the town and how will you seek to address them during the upcoming four years of this office?
First, is the future of the town hall, next is to try to get a water line east on Route 20 and lastly is the health of the lake.
Explain your thoughts on the future of the Gothic Cottage and whether or not it should remain as the Cazenovia Town Office or another location should be found.
The town board has already started to think about the future of the town hall. We have hired an architectural firm and set up a citizen committee of stakeholders to help guide the board through the process. This will include looking at a reconfigured Gothic Cottage, moving to empty spaces in the village or building new. This process should determine the direction that is taken.
Explain your thoughts on the town’s efforts to maintain the health of Cazenovia Lake through the weed harvesting, chemical treatments, benthic mat and other programs. Do you believe these are working and should be continued, or do you think other actions should be taken, and why?
The board has let science guide us on what to do concerning lake health. The tools we are using seem to be working since Bob Johnson, who does our rake toss study, said that the lake is in the best condition that he has seen. We will try to do the most with the money available to promote lake health.
Why should people vote for you?
Since I am in an uncontested race, people should only vote for me if they believe I am doing a good job.
Other comments?
When I took this job I thought I had all the answers to every question. Now, after two years, I find I only have questions for every answer. Thank you for letting me serve as your supervisor.
Tom Driscoll
Position seeking
Town councilor
Political affiliation
Republican and Reform parties
Address and family members
Old Farms Lane, Cazenovia
Wife: Kathryn C. Burns
Three Sons: Brendan, William and Thomas
Education and occupation
BA Manhattan College – Sociology and Urban Studies
Account Executive – Norampac Corp. Div. Cascades Inc.
Political experience
Village of Cazenovia trustee, planning board
Town of Cazenovia zoning board of appeals, incumbent town board member
Why are you running for town board?
Having now been on the board for more than two years, it is imperative that we have a voice that is willing to explore different strategies and most of all continue to persist in maintaining a sense of fiscal responsibility. We are all too quick to raise taxes and spend money without a thorough analysis of cost benefits.
What do you see as the major issues facing the town and how will you seek to address them during the upcoming four years of this office?
Fiscal Responsibility.
Learning to strategically share services and facilities among all facets of government and political entities.
Maintain and improve the health of Cazenovia Lake, our jewel of an asset.
Create a more open forum for discussion and action on all items that impact our community. Create an atmosphere where more citizens are encouraged to participate.
Explain your thoughts on the future of the Gothic Cottage and whether or not it should remain as the Cazenovia Town Office or another location should be found.
The Gothic Cottage has been allowed to deteriorate over the past years. It is not in the best interest of the community to even consider renovations until we adequately explore all other options. It is not my opinion that government should be the sole initiator or financier of any historic renovation. It must be a community driven initiative if it is so deemed reasonable. So far, all estimates point to exorbitant costs.
Explain your thoughts on the town’s efforts to maintain the health of Cazenovia Lake through the weed harvesting, chemical treatments, benthic mat and other programs. Do you believe these are working and should be continued, or do you think other actions should be taken, and why?
Some progress has been made in our multi-pronged approach to lake health. We must, however, stop promoting the notion that there is a “magic silver bullet” to answering all concerns. We need to be supportive of all approaches both emotionally and financially. The lake is an asset that all citizens benefit from and is a source of major tax revenue for the whole community.
Why should people vote for you?
My passion for this community, my analytical business approach, my willingness to listen to all sides of an issue and my belief that we can make Cazenovia an even better community not just for the present but for future generations fortify my commitment to represent all in the most ethical and honorable way of which they rightfully deserve.
Jimmy Golub
Position seeking
Town councilor
Political affiliation
Democrat and Strong Community parties
Address and family members
Peth Road, Manlius (We live in Cazenovia but we have a Manlius address)
Spouse: Janine Golub
Education and occupation
B.S. Agriculture
Political experience
None
Why are you running for town board?
I care deeply about Cazenovia. Cazenovia has been good to me and my family. I would like to offer my services back to the community
What do you see as the major issues facing the town and how will you seek to address them during the upcoming four years of this office?
The issue I hear from voters most often is the health of our lake. I also hear some concern for the future of the Gothic Cottage.
Explain your thoughts on the future of the Gothic Cottage and whether or not it should remain as the Cazenovia Town Office or another location should be found.
I think most of us would hope that the most practical option for our town hall would continue to be the Gothic Cottage. It currently has some maintenance issues that require attention. The meeting place is not the most conducive for discourse. It’s hard to hear what’s going on for the attendees. I know there are people studying how the space is being used and they are in the process of coming up with ideas. I would weigh those recommendations heavily and compare them to alternatives. I’d then try to use my moral compass to do what’s best for the town looking into the future.
Explain your thoughts on the town’s efforts to maintain the health of Cazenovia Lake through the weed harvesting, chemical treatments, benthic mat and other programs. Do you believe these are working and should be continued, or do you think other actions should be taken, and why?
I think the answer to whether the current treatments are working depends on whom you talk to. This seems to be an emotional issue. Of the many topics I’ve listened to from voters since I became a candidate, this seems to be the highest on the list. The scientists that are working on this should be the authorities on this question. They do comprehensive tests on the state of our lake. I think the answer lies in using all of the many different tools to help curtail the weed and algae problem. I’d like to also add, all of us should be concerned about our lake whether one lives on the lake or not. Not every town has a lake to its credit. If you’re not moved by the natural beauty of the lake, then you should at least be concerned about the economics of the importance of the lake for our community.
Why should people vote for you?
After living here for about 34 years, I care deeply about Cazenovia. We have a great community. My family has benefited from living in this community. I’d like to offer my service back to the community.
I’m a newcomer to politics. The advantage of this is that I don’t have any preconceived notions. I don’t have an ax to grind. I have an open mind so I believe I can be impartial and fair. I will make every effort to be accessible.
I think it would be good to have someone from agriculture on the board. Currently we don’t have farm representation on the board like most of our neighbors do. I have worked in the farming sector for over three decades. I would take with me this connection to the town board while making any decisions. I will bring the same level of energy, dedication and common sense to the town board that I have on my own farm.
Liz Moran
Position seeking
Town councilor
Political affiliation
Democrat and Strong Community parties
Address and family members
Route 20 West, Cazenovia
Husband: Dr. Marco Coronado
Three adult children: Alex, Rafael and Emma Coronado
Education and occupation:
MS and PhD from Cornell University in Water Resources
Owner and principal scientist, EcoLogic LLC
Political experience
Cazenovia Town Supervisor, 2006-2009
Madison County Board of Supervisors, 2006-2009
Madison County Industrial Development Authority, 2007-present
Cazenovia Town Board, 2012-present
Why are you running for town board?
I hope to serve another four years as an active and valuable member of the Cazenovia Town Board. This is a labor of love; I am deeply committed to our community and believe I have the combination of skills, experience and temperament needed to keep us moving ahead. While state and national politics are often divisive and partisan, we are fortunate to have sustained a culture in our local government that is focused on the good of the community. I want to continue to assist Supervisor Bill Zupan and our dedicated town staff to meet the continuing challenges while maintaining our low town rate. I truly enjoy the position and value the interactions and relationships that have ensued over the past decade. Serving as an elected representative has enabled me to learn a great deal about what makes our community so vibrant.
What do you see as the major issues facing the town and how will you seek to address them during the upcoming four years of this office?
The major issues facing Cazenovia continue to be planning for development and managing its impacts, maintaining our low town tax rate and lake restoration and protection. Compounding each of these is the need to prepare for the effects of climate change. Fortunately, we have been proactive in building the institutional partnerships and tools that enable us to meet these challenges. I envision that we will continue to examine our local codes and practices to make sure we’re ready to deal with issues including ensuring a safe water supply and maintaining storm water and sewer infrastructure. We will continue to engage expert assistance to guide lake management decisions, and work with the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District and our town engineer to plan for hazard mitigation.
Explain your thoughts on the future of the Gothic Cottage and whether or not it should remain as the Cazenovia Town Office or another location should be found.
This iconic building was a gift to the town decades ago. While a beautiful representation of its architectural style, the Gothic Cottage is far from ideal for meeting the needs of a modern town office with respect to staffing, accessibility for those with disabilities, technology and opportunities for public participation. Presently, we are evaluating alternatives, including renovations, build new or occupying an existing facility. The architectural firm Holmes, King, Kallquist is guiding the town board, along with a community advisory group. Engaging experts has helped us build a quantitative framework to evaluate alternatives based on space and cost, alongside community values such as centrality of location, shared services, energy usage, historic preservation, parking, etc. We have heard from many who care deeply about maintaining the building and retaining public access. The board anticipates making a recommendation in 2016, and is committed to offering opportunities for community voices to be heard.
Explain your thoughts on the town’s efforts to maintain the health of Cazenovia Lake through the weed harvesting, chemical treatments, benthic mat and other programs. Do you believe these are working and should be continued, or do you think other actions should be taken, and why?
We are making progress toward managing Cazenovia Lake, beginning with the Cazenovia Lake Watershed Council which brought the town, village and lake association together. It’s important to recognize that many regional lakes are experiencing water quality decline and cyanobacterial blooms. The in-lake measures, including herbicides, harvesting and mats, help ensure that recreation and navigational uses remain viable. However, the town is actually doing far more than managing the symptoms of excessive nutrient enrichment. We understand the imperative to identify and reduce the inflows of phosphorus and sediment that ultimately control the health of the lake. We began an extensive program to improve our stormwater infrastructure and prepare for more intense rains due to climate change. It’s an investment to protect and restore our natural resources, and we are drawing on partners including DEC and other professionals to review the state of Cazenovia Lake, share knowledge and plan for the future.
Why should people vote for you?
My educational background and professional skills mesh well with the town’s needs. Through my years of community service I have been an active participant on many issues related to planning and environmental quality, including Cazenovia Lake. I enjoy serving as an effective and respected liaison to state and county agencies, professional firms and the academic community. I have developed a deep understanding of the responsibilities and opportunities of local government, as well as the nuts and bolts of topics like municipal budgeting. Because my professional life is based in Cazenovia, I am accessible during the work week to the town office staff and our exemplary highway superintendent. I approach issues with an open mind and work well with my fellow board members to identify and adopt constructive solutions. We have many challenges ahead and I want to remain part of the team that helps make Cazenovia such a wonderful community.
