The Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York), October 27, 2005, Thursday

Copyright 2005 Post-Standard
All Rights Reserved.
The Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York)

October 27, 2005 Thursday

FINAL EDITION

SECTION: NEIGHBORS WEST; Pg. 10

HEADLINE: GEDDES TOWN BOARD

BYLINE: By Diana LaMattina Staff writer

BODY:
Six people seek three positions. Pay is $8,446; four-year term. Michalski and Ennis are incumbents.

GRAPHIC: PHOTO NO CREDIT William F. Michalski Age: 53 Address: 117 Benoit Drive Family: Married 18 years to Cheryl; children: Sarah, 25, Bill, 23, Jessica, 22 Education: Morrisville associate's accounting degree; attended Syracuse University Employment: 1988 to present, accountant at CWR MFG CO. Inc in East Syracuse; 1980 to 1988, accountant, LCP Chemicals in Solvay Political experience: 2002 to present, town of Geddes councilor; 2002 to 2004, deputy supervisor Ballot lines: Democrat, Independence, Working Families, Veterans Community involvement: Member of the Solvay Tigers; CNY Umpires Association; and past president of the West Genesee Athletic Club; coached the Solvay Tigers, WGAC and Holy Family basketball List two very specific things you want the town board to accomplish during the next term. Specifically, what would you and the board do to make this happen?: A. Road repairs has become a very touchy issue as Republicans claim Democrats are against road repairs. Actually it's just the opposite on my agenda. I have a plan to fix at least seven or eight roads per year and bond for these road repairs. If so, at the end of eight years, the 63 major roads in Geddes will be complete. B. Make sure that seniors and youths are well cared for and involved in town issues. Your town faces dwindling income and rising costs. Do you raise taxes or cut services to balance your budget? If it's service cuts, which ones? Geddes offers the best services of any town. In order to continue with the high level of services, taxes would coincide with the services. Being an accountant, I have kept a close eye on each line item on the budget; cutting costs wherever possible. However, residents that I have communicated with have agreed that small increases in taxes are better than cutting services, and I have assured them that I would be fiscally responsible for small increases. Christopher Ryan Age: 32 Address: 249 East Manchester Road Family: Married four years to Erin Satalin Ryan; children: Maeve, 3, and Aidan, 11 months Education: 1990 Westhill High grad; associate's, criminal justice from OCC; bachelor's, criminal justice, State University College at Buffalo; student at Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations Employment: Field technician, Verizon Communications executive vice president, Communications Workers of American, Local 1123 Political experience: none Ballot lines: Democratic, Independence, Conservative, Working Families and Veterans Community involvement: Parishioner of St. Patrick's Church; volunteer at Oxford Inn Homeless Shelter List two very specific things you want the town board to accomplish during the next term. Specifically, what would you and the board do to make this happen? Increase the civility on the board. After having been endorsed by five different parties, I am able to work with different groups and bring them together. Insure Geddes remains the safe community I grew up in. Work the police department to utilize new and creative methods to increase public safety. Your town faces dwindling income and rising costs. Do you raise taxes or cut services to balance your budget? If it's service cuts, which ones? As many town residents are currently facing an increased tax bill, any additional increase is not feasible. I will devote my energies to try to increase our tax base so that residents continue to receive the level of services they have come to rely on. I would also work to implement a cost-savings approach Thomas Venturini Age: 38 Address: 125 Bronson Road Family information: Married 10 years to Kelly (Corbett) Venturini; son, Thomas James, 18 months Education: Solvay High School, 1985; Canisius College, 1989 Employment: Consultant with Transworld Systems Political experience: none Ballot lines: Republican, Conservative and Independence Community involvement: Board of directors, Solvay-Geddes Community Youth Center; member, Solvay Tigers AC; member, Tyrol Club of Solvay List two very specific things you want the town board to accomplish during the next term. Specifically, what would you and the board do to make this happen?: My plan would be to improve the infrastructure of the town and the parks. Also, I would make sure that Geddes residents continue to receive the outstanding services that they are accustomed to at the lowest possible cost. Your town faces dwindling income and rising costs. Do you raise taxes or cut services to balance your budget? If it's service cuts, which ones? My plan would be to not raise taxes or cut services. If dwindling income and rising costs continue, we would have to be more efficient in providing all the services town residents are receiving. Joe Ranieri Age: 53 Address: 308 Limestone Lane Family Married to Patricia Otis; children: Marcia, Michael, Mark; son of Joe Ranieri and Sue Zingaro Education: West Genesee High School, 1970; Niagara University, 1974, bachelor's Employment: President of Syracuse Travel Bureau Political experience: Ran for Geddes Town Council to fill term of Jane Longo in 2004 Ballot lines: Republican, Conservative Community involvement: Parishioner of Holy Family; former coach, Solvay Geddes Little League; volunteer, West Genesee Marching Band; member, Geddes Republican Committee List two very specific things you want the town board to accomplish during the next term. Specifically, what would you and the board do to make this happen? 1. Maintain an active line of communications within the town via our Web site and committee meetings. 2. Continue the rebuilding of our road infrastructure. We would work together to find the best solution to rebuild our roads and minimize increased expenses to our citizens. Your town faces dwindling income and rising costs. Do you raise taxes or cut services to balance your budget? If it's service cuts, which ones? The town of Geddes provides quality services for its citizens with a professional and knowledgeable police department and an excellent highway department. If elected, I will work diligently to keep our budget on target and to maintain all the services our citizens expect.