Campaign Phone
(315) 521-7870
Education
BA History from Nazareth College
MS Athletic Administration from Canisius College
Experience
I have served as a Councilman for the past 4 years and started the Communications Committee. I have been a teacher in the Geneva City School District for 16 years. I have also coached lacrosse in the district for 19 years and soccer for 16 years.
Endorsements
Town of Geneva Republican Party
Party Affiliation
Republican
Our greatest asset is our natural environment. You can do some amazing things and create wonderful programs and incentives to attract people and business in just about every city in America. However, few have the natural treasures that we have here in Geneva. Our gorgeous lakefront, sprawling agricultural lands, and historic beauty set us apart from neighboring towns and municipalities. When you consider that we have a zero town tax on top of all of that, Geneva is a great place to live! We are, however, not without challenges. I think one of our greatest challenges is protecting that beauty while at the same time maintaining steady growth and healthy development. Additionally, balancing the push for sustainability with our desire to maintain our small town feel needs to be handled with care as we move forward.
1. Protect the zero town tax.
2. Protect Seneca Lake from the chemical pollutants that come from the nearby dumps and storm water run-off.
3. Expand the benefits that we offer to our community residents, we should be using our land around Town Hall to provide recreation opportunities to the citizens.
3. Stable growth of our town. We can't grow for the sake of growth. We need to be sure that new builds and new projects are in line with our collective vision for the Town of Geneva.
4. Continue economic development. We need to continue to look at ways to capitalize on the burgeoning tourism industry in and around Geneva.
I have served on the Town Board for the last four years. It has been a wonderful experience and I have learned a great deal about the Town of the Geneva during this time. Those who know me, know that I put the needs and desires of the people first. My agenda is to serve the residents of the Town of Geneva first and foremost. I don't come to the table with a long list of objectives that I want to see fulfilled, rather I try to make the best decision possible for the Town in every situation. Having grown up in the Town of Geneva, taught at Geneva High School, and coached soccer, lacrosse, and hockey in the school district for many years, I have been able to get to know lots of town residents. I know the varied wants and needs of our community and feel that with my connections to many town residents, I am well-suited to continue to serve the citizens of the town as Town Councilman.
The big myth out there is that the City and Town of Geneva do not work together or that there is some divide. Go ask the men and women at City Hall and Town Hall or go visit the various departments and talk to the workers and they will tell you that they work together on a wide range of projects. Whether it is road paving projects, storm water management, or complete street projects, the City and Town of Geneva work together all the time. The Town of Geneva residents who use City Water and Sewer pay their bills. The Town of Geneva pays for our own fire protection through the volunteer departments in the Town. We also pay for law enforcement through the Ontario County Sheriff. Town residents pay school taxes, patronize city shops and restaurants, and pay "out of town rates" for City Recreation services. As I began, we already have a strong working relationship with the City of Geneva and do share services whenever possible. We will continue to work alongside them in the future.
We should be continuing to look for ways to improve our resource management. We have taken some good steps in the Town of Geneva in relation to these areas through composting and modifications at the Town Landfill. Renewable energy continues to grow in the region as well. We need to be cognizant as we advance in these areas that we do so while protecting our agricultural lands and maintaining the beauty that makes the Town of Geneva our home.
The town of Geneva has a wide variety of housing stock and it continues to expand. There will be additional housing stock in the years ahead as several projects will continue to add houses and apartments in the Town of Geneva. However, to simply "improve" the housing stock for the sake of building houses without real job market growth to support the residents moving into those houses in just poor management and ineffective policy. I will continue to support the growth of the Town of Geneva so long as the economic development in the region continues to support that growth.
Campaign Phone
(585) 303-1385
Education
B.S. St Lawrence University
MBA Rochester Institute Technology
Crop Consultant Certification from American Association of Agronomy
Experience
Forty years experience in business and financial management.
Vice President and part owner of Phelps Supply for 20 years.
Geneva Town Board 4 years.
Certified Crop Consultant for over 30 years, working with Finger Lakes farmers.
Endorsements
Democratic Party
Party Affiliation
Democrats
1. Assets - location, educational opportunities, prime Ag land, strong fiscal standing, vibrant community, responsive local government, skilled workforce, cultural opportunities, varied recreational opportunities, overall excellent quality of life
2. Challenges - developmental pressures, threats to water quality of Seneca Lake, proximity to two landfills, lack of career opportunities for our young adults, inability of some to access our benefits, lack of affordable senior housing
3. My contributions - I’m chairman of Town’s Economic Development Committee, sit on the Comprehensive Plan and AgEnhancement Committee. Helped to develop new zoning code to support Comp Plan, initiated Lake Friendly Farm Program, helped to write new Agricultural Comprehensive Plan, use my financial background to maintain Town’s excellent fiscal rating.
1. Protect water quality of Seneca Lake
2. Encourage the growth of businesses and affordable housing that are compatible with our Comprehensive Plan
3. Protect our Town from the developmental sprawl that has plagued many of our neighboring towns.
3.5 Pressure our County Supervisors to work on what happens when landfill contract expires.
MBA in finance and strategic planning
Worked with Finger Lakes farmers as a crop consultant for over 40 years so I have an excellent understanding of Ag issues.
Successful business career as Vice President and part owner of Phelps Supply.
HAB volunteer on Seneca Lake with SLPW
Chairman of the BOD of St Peters Community Arts Academy
Board member of Ontario County Agricultural Enhancement Committee
Certified Crop Consultant
Chairman Finance Committee St Peters Church
Chairman of Towns Economic Development Committee
Excellent analytical and communication skills
Served on Town Board for the past 4 years
The City and Town already work together on many levels. Where it makes sense the City and Town share public work resources. Both support the Geneva City School system. Both have engaged the engineering firm MRB to evaluate our joint sewer and drainage issues. The Town Board and City Council need to continue to explore opportunities to share services and work together for the betterment of all. The Chamber of Commerce calls itself the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce - we need to model this example of mutual support and cooperation.
The Town is very active in the area of resource management and sustainability. My position on these issues mirror the Town’s, and together with the rest of the Board we have accomplished a lot in these areas. The Town earned designation as a Climate Smart Community. We hold fix-it clinics to keep items out of the landfill. The Town encourages the use of alternative energy through our Community Energy initiative. We instituted an anti-idling memo for Town vehicles and provided compost boxes and rain barrels to Town residents at little cost. The Town was one of the first communities to pass a resolution opposing the trash incinerator. The Town developed a Lake Friendly Farm Program to help mitigate the negative effects of Ag runoff, and works closely with Soil and Water to develop drainage projects and help lessen storm runoff. The Town has also hired a part time sustainability coordinator, Jacob Fox.
Our new Comprehensive Plan calls for the development of a Town Center that will encourage the building of affordable middle income and senior housing in a easily accessible environment. The Town has recently approved two projects, Geneva Crossing and Townside at PreEmption, that will make middle income housing available, with some units designated for lower income residents and seniors. Construction already began on these two locations, with the first residents at Townside scheduled to move in shortly. An affordable senior housing development on Snell Rd has been approved, but no construction has begun yet.
e.thePeople
e.thePeople