TOWN OF MANLIUS – Three local races in the Nov. 5 election have candidates running unopposed – that of Manlius town councilor, Manlius town clerk, both to fill a vacancy, and Fayetteville village trustee. For more election coverage visit eaglenewsonline.com
Manlius town councilor
Ingrid McCurdy
DEM, WOR
As an engaged resident of Fremont Meadows in the Town of Manlius, I look forward to continuing to serve all residents of our beautiful town. Since my appointment to the Town Board in March 2024, I’ve sought to bring attention to the needs of all residents, including older adults. Earlier this month, we signed a resolution to commit to establishing programs and policies that support an Age-Friendly Community in the Town of Manlius. This includes addressing areas that I have heard from residents. They are working to ensure safe and reasonably priced housing options, access to transportation that supports participation in social and other activities, walkability and effective communication/information. While the emphasis on this AARP program is for older adults, paying attention to these areas benefits residents across the lifespan. The stressors our residents face come from a combination of factors. I’m committed to listen as we work to address these concerns.
While a graduate student at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, I worked on EV Charging Infrastructure for the Town of Manlius. This continues to serve as a template for adding charging options within the town. As a committee member for Sustainable Manlius and contributor to the Town of Manlius Climate Action Plan (CAP), we continue to make changes to reduce our carbon footprint.
My professional background includes 30 years experience in workplace and organizational development and I’m a faculty member at Le Moyne College’s Madden College of Business and Economics. As an educator, my desire is to expand the ways we share information with town residents. Residents can continue to expect a willingness to listen, honesty, and dedication. I will continue to use my skills and experience as a leader, educator and caring resident to serve the Town of Manlius.
Manlius town clerk
Carrie Grevelding
REP
After 20 years of working for the Onondaga County 911 Center as a Supervisor of Dispatch Operations, I felt it was time to move on. Although it was time to move on, I knew I still wanted to serve the community. In December, the previous Town Clerk Allison Weber hired me as her First Deputy Clerk. Not long into my new journey Ms. Weber decided it was time for her to start a new career path. She confidently recommended to the current Town Board to appoint me as the new Town Clerk for the Town of Manlius. As I continue to learn this position it is clear that I am still serving the community just in a different way.
With over 20 years of experience as a police, fire, and EMS dispatcher, and my background in volunteerism throughout our community I believe I will be an excellent choice for Town Clerk as we move into the future.
Currently, communication is our community’s biggest challenge. As Town Clerk community safety and transparency are important to me. Most communication is done through technology; this type of communication is great for tech-savvy residents but for those who are not communicating is difficult. As the Town Clerk I need to find ways to communicate with all residents in the Town. One way to accomplish this is creating a resource center at Town Hall that would give the Clerk’s Office the ability to interact with residents while navigating through the current resources.
As Town Clerk and a long-time resident of the Town of Manlius I am extremely proud of what our Town means to its residents. The Town provides a sense of community, which is what I appreciate when I think about where I want to raise my own family.
Fayetteville village trustee
Jane Rice
DEM, Fayetteville Voices
Editor’s note: Though his name is still appearing on the ballot, candidate for trustee Duffy Hartnett had chosen to suspend his campaign earlier this summer.
I enjoy serving as a trustee. It is a dynamic job, and I get to work with some wonderful people. My goal as a trustee is to ensure the continuation of excellent municipal services to the residents and businesses and to keep our village healthy, cared for, and safe.
I have been a resident in the village for over 30 years during which my husband and I raised three kids. Prior to establishing my family, I practiced as an attorney in New York State. I then obtained a master’s in landscape architecture and began my career as an Urban Planner. About 25 years ago, I was appointed to the Village Planning Board and served as Chairperson for the last 15 of those years. While serving on the planning board, I also practiced as a professional Urban Planner, consulting with many communities throughout New York State. This provided me with a dual perspective of the importance and function of local governments.
Over the years, I honed my skills at critical thinking and problem solving and learned the value of collaboration and transparency. For the last two years, as your Village Trustee, I have worked closely with the other trustees and the mayor on municipal finances and operations, park maintenance, and special community events. When addressing critical and complex issues I actively seek input from various stakeholders, ask necessary questions, and consider all perspectives before I recommend a solution. I understand and have experience in managing municipal systems in a fiscally responsible manner.
The village recently updated its comprehensive plan, and we now need to update our zoning regulations and local land use laws to ensure they align with our updated plan. With Micron development on the near horizon, Fayetteville, like its neighboring communities, will experience growth and now is the time to act. Fortunately, with the support of grant funding, we have started the process of updating our zoning code. I have been guiding this process and if re-elected will continue doing so. I also think it is important to establish safe bicycle routes and pedestrian access throughout the village of Fayetteville as well as safe connections to our sister villages, Minoa and Manlius.
In 2023, I was instrumental in successfully applying for a grant from the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC) to conduct a study of safe connections between the villages of Minoa, Fayetteville, and Manlius and portions of the town of Manlius. The study was conducted during the summer and soon SMTC will be issuing its final recommendations. If re-elected, I intend on taking measures to improve, where practical, bicycle and pedestrian mobility through the village and to collaborate with our sister villages to improve connections between villages.
An ongoing challenge is maintaining the quality of services provided by the village in a fiscally responsible manner. The quality of life in Fayetteville is exceptional and that is supported by the quality of services and special events provided by the village. Maintaining these high-quality standards within a responsible budget is an ongoing challenge that calls for targeted focus every year. If re-elected I will continue working to achieve a fiscally sustainable Fayetteville.
I love our neighborhood parks, and I look forward to all the excellent social events sponsored by the village annually. What I appreciate the most are the residents and businesses in the village. They carry the spirit of the village, and I love being a part of our community.
In my opinion, serving as a trustee for the Village of Fayetteville is an exciting, rewarding, and important job. In addition to overseeing the everyday issues with municipal governance, there are many very important projects to be completed that will add to and improve the fabric of our village. I look forward to the opportunity to continue working as a trustee and serving the community.
