The Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York), March 15, 2007, Thursday

Copyright 2007 Post-Standard

All Rights Reserved

All Rights Reserved.

The Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York)

March 15, 2007 Thursday

Correction Appended

FINAL EDITION

SECTION: NEIGHBORS WEST; Pg. 9

HEADLINE: TWO TRUSTEES FACE OPPOSITION IN SOLVAY;

FLAHERTY CHALLENGES MAESTRI, AND COLUCCI RUNS AGAINST TAROLLI.

BYLINE: By Jerry Rosen Staff writer

BODY:

In Solvay, where two-term Trustee John Fall Sr. is unopposed for his third term representing the village's 2nd Ward, there is competition for the other two board seats, which are open.

Heat is rising among 1st Ward voters over lightning-rod incumbent Democrat John Maestri and his challenger, Republican David Flaherty .

Maestri and Flaherty cite controlling costs while keeping local services high as a key issue facing the village.

Third Ward incumbent Republican Thomas Tarolli , who was appointed last July to replace Richard Lucio , is facing a challenge from longtime Democratic Committee member Jamie Colucci .

Tarolli favors pushing landlords to keep their rental property up; Colucci says the village has done a good enough job marketing itself.

Here is a look at the four candidates:

First Ward Trustee

Two candidates, one seat

JOHN MAESTRI

Age: 59

Street Address: 400 Charles Ave.

Family information: Single

Education: Solvay High School; Syracuse University, bachelor's, master's degrees; American Institute of Banking, certificate

Employment: Retired; Onbank & Trust Co., 27 years

Political experience: Solvay 1st Ward trustee, 2003-2007

Enrolled party and all ballot lines he has: Registered Democrat with Veterans Party endorsement

Community involvement: St. Camillus Foundation; board of directors, ATO Housing Corp., Syracuse University; board of directors, Tyrol Club of Solvay

What are the biggest issues facing your village?

"The biggest issue facing the village as we go forward is keeping a tight control on spending but without sacrificing either the amount or the quality of services which we currently offer to residents and taxpayers. Other prime issues which I feel are critical include bringing new funds to the village (grants); encouraging and attracting new business (as well as homeowners); and doing all we can to enhance the STAR programs through interaction with state lawmakers."

DAVID J. FLAHERTY

Age: 56

Street Address: 210 Oakridge Drive

Family information: Married to the former Lucille Callisto for 32 years; daughter, Lisa, and her husband, Eric Flansburg

Education: Solvay High School Class of 1968; certified HAZMAT technician, New York State Apprentice program with welding and electrical certificates

Employment: Head custodian, Solvay Middle School, 2003-present; General Chemical Corp., mechanic, 1986-2003; Allied-Signal, machine shop specialist, 1976-1986; The Herald Co., journeyman photoengraver, 1970-1976

Political experience: None

Enrolled party and ballot lines: Ballot Lines, not committed; ballot line, Republican

Community involvement: Parishioner, St. Cecilia's Church; member, Solvay Tigers Athletic Club; vice president, Solvay Schools Employees Union; former officer, United Steelworkers of America, Local 12457; member, Graphic Arts International Union; former volunteer for Solvay Police Youth League at Teen Center; former Babe Ruth baseball coach for Solvay Police Youth League

What are the biggest issues facing your village?

"As a Solvay resident for 56 years, I have witnessed many changes in our area. However, our residents continue to receive excellent services. I believe the biggest issue facing the village today is keeping these valuable services while controlling costs. Solvay has many unique qualities, making it a wonderful place to live and raise a family."

Third Ward Trustee

Two candidates, one seat

JAMIE COLUCCI

Age: 37

Address: 503 Fourth St.

Family: Married seven years to Wendy Colucci; son, Michael, 5

Education: Master of industrial and labor relations from Cornell University, 1993; bachelor of arts from the University of Rochester, 1991

Employment: Recruiter, PEACE Inc. (December 1999-present); Workers' Compensation coordinator; Rent-A-Vision (February 1997 to November 1999); salary analyst, Morgan Stanley & Co. (January 1994 to November 1996); personnel intern, Carrier Corp. (January 1993 to December 1993)

Political experience: Solvay-Geddes Democratic Committee member since 2004; grassroots organizer for Democracy for America, Fingerlakes chapter (2003 to 2006); campaign volunteer for: Maffei for Congress (2006), Geddes Democratic slate (2005), Wendy Colucci for Solvay trustee (2005), Steve Zalewski for Solvay trustee (2004), Tim Gorman for state Senate (2004), Dean for America (2003)

Enrolled party and allotted line: Enrolled as a Democrat, now appearing on Row A. Also endorsed by the Veterans' Party.

Community involvement: Volunteer instructor for West Genesee and Oswego high school marching bands; former music leader for Immanuel United Methodist Church contemporary service; 40-Below Civic Engagement Task Force; Society for Human Resource Management; musician for benefits and other functions.

What are the biggest issues facing your village?

"For prospective home or business owners, Solvay has many outstanding attributes; some are well known, while others remain well-kept secrets. There is an obvious disconnect between our legacy of potential and our landscape of empty storefronts and for-sale signs: We have neglected to promote our village, to employ a marketing strategy that will restore our community and revenue base."

THOMAS A. TAROLLI

Age: 55

Street Address: 1116 Third St.

Family: Married for 35 years to Gail DiFlorio Tarolli; sons, Matthew, 35, and Brian, 33; and daughter, Kimberly Osbeck, 25; four grandchildren

Education: Solvay High School, Canton Tech, Brockport State

Employment: Syracuse University, maintenance, 19 years; Allied Chemical/LCP, maintenance, 1976-1988; Interstate Industrial Laundry, assistant manager, 1972-1976

Political experience: Village trustee for seven months; zoning board two years

Enrolled party and ballot lines: Republican

Community involvement: Solvay Fire Department, 33 years; lieutenant, three years, captain, one year, chief, six years; Tyrol Club of Solvay; Faith Chapel, member and deacon for five years; worked on missions in Africa, Jamaica, the Philippines and France; hockey coach in high school and Midstate Youth Hockey; hobbies include golf and NASCAR racing.

What are the biggest issues facing your town or district, in your opinion?

"One thing we must continue to do is to keep taxes as low as possible. By controlling our spending and by using the available resources offered to us, we can keep the taxes down. We also need to regulate the use of rental property by holding the absentee landlord accountable to keep their property up to codes."

CORRECTION:

March 16, 2007

The introduction to a listing of Solvay trustee candidates on Thursday in Neighbors West was missing a word. The word "not" was omitted. That omission incorrectly characterized 3rd Ward Democratic challenger Jamie Colucci's concern about the village's marketing. The sentence should have read: Colucci says the village has not done a good enough job marketing itself.

GRAPHIC: PHOTO NO CREDIT JOHN MAESTRI DAVID J. FLAHERTY JAMIE COLUCCI THOMAS A. TAROLLI