Campaign Phone
(315) 759-1293
Party Affiliation
None: I am a no party Candidate.
Endorsements
REPUBLICAN
CONSERVATIVE
INDEPENDENCE
GENEVA FORWARD
First of all, I feel that we should focus on and finish the $20 million in great projects that are currently underway. I sincerely feel that this election is not all about the issues. In fact, I am quite certain that on the topics of what matters most, there will not be much to debate as to what direction this city must go. As Mayor, I am all for protecting and preserving our beautiful lakefront. I think that we should be working with the county supervisors to close the landfills asap! We need to find creative ways to reduce our taxes, without hurting our city workers. I do not want to cut our way to lower taxes. Providing housing for all levels of people. Taking care of our elderly and finding ways to help our children have childhoods that are fun-filled, educational, and free from drugs, alcohol, sex, and violence. I'd like to get rid of our empty storefronts, zombie properties, and unpolished gateways to our city. I would also like to bring back the annual Whale Watch Festival.
-I think that we should continue to revitalize our downtown, until we become the top tourist destination in the Finger Lakes (The Capital of the Finger Lakes). I agree with my friend William Pealer (Who is currently running for City Council) who believes that we should purchase and develop a wine co-op that features wines from all of the local wineries. A place that is beautiful, comfortable, and one that opens when the normal wineries close (This will make the wineries embrace it, rather than see it as competition)
-We must work with our county supervisors to make sure that they close the landfills ASAP, and that we are getting all of the funding and support that we deserve.
I pledge to protect our fine lakefront, while promoting its brilliance. I will support Councilor Ken Camera's suggestion of relocating the Finger Lakes Railway rail yard out of the city limits, and using the property both for new housing and create easy access for Ward 6 residents including a pedestrian bridge.
Our Mayor must be an inspirational unifier. I have been an extremely successful counselor and a coach for the past 37 years. I am the author of two self-help books (Return To Forever, and Raiseism), I am the founder of Project Help Our Pupils Engage (A dropout prevention program for at-risk students), My school won the President Obama National School of Character award in 2008 (Which recognized our school, including my counseling programs as some of the best in the entire United States). I consider myself (And so do many of the local Courts and Justices in Seneca and Ontario counties) an expert in childhood and adolescent development. I am a master group counseling therapist, and I am the absolute very best you will find at bringing out the best in all people. After this election, we could have nine new members on city council, and the very best person to handle this transition, to help these strangers form a cohesive, goal-driven, group, is me! ACCOUNTABILE, TRANSPARENT,AND EMPATHETIC
We must improve our relationship with the Town of Geneva and examine how the impacts of our current assessment process makes town living more appealing than city living. I think that if we work together with the town of Geneva, that we will both benefit, and as Mayor, I will schedule regular, televised joint meetings. I have already been in contact with Mark Venuti (The town supervisor), and he seems to be supportive of my ideas. I think that we should make similar connections with neighboring municipalities to share services, and ideas of networking, along with innovative and technological services that will help our city to continue to move forward. We need to work together with the town to find ways to get more of a contribution from the traditionally nontaxable landowners of our city. I think we should also work together to try and attract businesses that will help us generate more property and sales tax revenue. We should realize that whats good for the city is good for the town.
If you ever get the time to read my book Return To Forever, you will see for certain how important environmental issues are to me. As the Mayor, or as just an average citizen of Geneva, I feel that it is of the utmost importance for us to lead the way in composting, waste management, and renewable energy! This world is in bad shape. We have all contributed to its pollution, and it will take all of us working together to save this planet. I believe that sometime in the near future living next to a freshwater lake will be more valuable than living next to a field filled with gold or diamonds. Our city is a social microcosm of our state, our country, and this world that we live in. Therefore it is up to us to do everything within our power to keep our water pure,our air clean, and our power bills low. As mayor of this city, this will be one of my top priorities. I will also encourage the town, HWS, Cornell, FLCC, and the Geneva students and faculty to colaborate on innovative solutions.
It has been reported to me that our city has lost 618 people since the year 2,000. This is approximately 280 households, or about two families per month leaving our city. When you compare it to the fact that Ontario County gained nearly 7,000 people during that same time frame. That's 3,000 households or about 32 families per month. It was also reported to me that Geneva houses 25% of the county's low-income housing. When you compare this to our neighboring municipalities, it is clear to see that something is out of wack in our city. Our county supervisors should make sure that these other municipalities are being encouraged to carry their equal share. We also can improve our code enforcement laws, so that these properties are insepected more freqeuently (every 18 to 24 months). We should also penalize landlords that do not take pride in their properties, and reward those who do. It seems to me that we should have housing available in this city for all levels to attract people here.
Campaign Phone
(315) 521-4853
Party Affiliation
Democratic
Endorsements
Geneva City Democratic Party
Assets: Natural Beauty, Diverse population & Location
Challenges: Housing stock, poverty rate & area landfills
Contributions:
Focus on Comp Plan, lakefront phase approach, collaboration with private investors, economic focus on craft beverage/food & tourism, Housing development to address gaps
Comprehensive Plan
Economic Development
Governmental efficiencies/shared services
17 years on City Council (Ward 5 - 4yrs) (Ward 3 13yrs)
Liaison to various committees/boards
Private sector management over 37yrs dealing with budgets, personnel, efficiency gains, performance management & overall profit and loss statements
Community service, Faith based, sports programs, volunteer
Combined services - highway, water, sewer, development
Economic development sharing
Open dialogue on pros & cons of annexation
Resource management is critical for sustaining and protecting our environment. Global leaders have identified effective methods for composting, waste management and renewable energy that offer us blueprints to work from. We know continuation of landfills are detrimental to our health and environment. Reducing, recycling and reusing are critical to our existence. Protecting our lake and water quality should be one of our highest priorities. We will find in coming years that clean water will be one of the most valuable commodities and protecting ours along with controlling usage will allow us to lead the way. Solar and wind energy have entered our landscape for the right reasons. Using both to reduce our dependence on fossil based energy is critical. Solar technology is advancing at a rapid rate allowing better collection, storage and use in progressively efficient manners. Science based fact sets should be the basis of our decisions with a sole focus on our quality of life.
The comprehensive plan outlines several concerns and suggestions to address housing for all incomes. Housing stock that is equitable based on income allows us to retain and grow our population. Adding housing for lower and middle income families requires a well developed plan that focuses on many issues. Sustainability in housing can alleviate many current challenges dealing with heating, cooling water re-use and overall energy/resource efficiencies that current housing does not provide. The efforts of the newly developing "Solar Village" are a great example. Also housing location as defined in the comp plan outlines the do's and don'ts. Adding more low income housing in wards already saturated create less opportunity to build on our diversity and does not allow the city to grow in a way that supports positive collaboration. Affordable, sustainable housing for lower and middle income families will allow pride to develop and neighborhoods to flourish.
e.thePeople
e.thePeople