The Post-Standard News |
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Post-Standard,
The (Syracuse, NY) October 27, 2005
Diana LaMattina Staff writer The divide between the two
political parties seeking office in Spafford is deep.
Its members are split over the demolition of the house next to the
Borodino Grange building, the amount of new construction in
Spafford, how to deal with the economic divide in town, and how to
balance the interest of farmers, longtime residents and new town
residents. "We're trying to bring back a sense of civility and integrity to
the town board because during the last couple of years the board and the
audiences have been most disruptive, making it very difficult to get the
proper and appropriate work done," said Barbara Randall, acting chair of
the Republican party.
Republican Gordon Ireland is retiring after finishing his ninth
two-year term as supervisor. Webb Stevens, a former town justice, is the
party's candidate.
Councilor Joyce Barnett, a frequent opponent of Ireland's, is
running for supervisor, endorsed by the Democratic Party and
Spafford Party, which was created in 2003 and includes people with
different political affiliations.
Barnett said her campaign includes advocating that the board be
more open to citizen input, increasing the amount of training required for
board members, and addressing the building and development issues arising
in the town.
Stevens' campaign centers on creating a planning process that
appropriately balances the rights of property owners while protecting
agriculture. He also is looking to address the issue of serving the needs
of the citizens by making town board meetings more civil, orderly and
open.
If elected supervisor, Barnett said she plans to update the 1970s
zoning laws and have the board provide more guidance to the developers
looking to build in Spafford.
"After having sat on the town board for two years, I know how the
town board is very unprepared to deal with any off the issues and problems
- and doesn't understand most of them," Barnett said.
"We're looking to take responsibility and become proactive. Two
years from now, it will be too late to address some of these issues
efficiently. We're already behind."
The two parties also clash in a five-way contest for two open town
board seats. Kenneth B. Lieberman and Cherry A. Randall carry the GOP
banner with endorsement of the Independence and Neighbors First parties;
Mary E. Bean and Richard G. Fesko oppose them on the Democrat line, with
Bean joining former councilor Ronald R. Bourque on the Spafford
Party line. Randall did not provide a photo or biographical information
for this article.
A split also is reflected in the race between Charles J. Parsons
and Jill M. Ramsden for tax collector. Parsons is
Republican-Independence-Neighbors First; Ramsden is
Democrat-Spafford Party.
Carl Wiers, Republican-Independent-Neighbors First, is unopposed
for the highway superintendent's job. He has been with the highway
department since 1984 and is the incumbent superintendent. He lives on
East Lake Road.
Purchased for use on the Borodino Bullett. | ||