110 East Kimberly Drive, Camillus
Background 3rd Ward Councilman, elected for 6 terms; previously appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals and involved with many Community Organizations.
Occupation Since I retired, I substitute teach and make numerous volunteer presentations on “What is happening in the Town of Camillus” to the West Genesee High School “Participation In Government” classes, Senior Citizen Organizations, Rotary and Chamber of Commerce.
Endorsed by Republicans, Independents, Conservatives
Given the current economy and budget crises at the state and county levels, which areas of the budget do you feel the town could cut back to alleviate the pressure on taxpayers?
The Town of Camillus has 11 basic departments within the Town’s Organizational structure. Four of these departments contribute important services that Town residents have grown accustomed to and these departments employ the major percentages of the town employees. Presently, other major escalating costs are employee Health insurance benefits, NYS mandated cost and NYS increases for the employee’s retirement system.
At the present time, we have put in a hiring freeze, have been reducing the work force through attrition and continue to go out for bid on all major overhead cost which has reduced those expenses. We will be doing surveys of the Ward constituents to solicit their inputs on what reduction of services would they like in order to reduce taxes. These suggestions would then have to be answered with the appropriate reduced cost and impacts on their present life style.
In what ways do you think the town could consolidate services with villages, neighboring towns or the county to increase efficiency and keep costs down?
The Town of Camillus has already implemented some consolidation with neighboring Towns. We completed the Consolidation of Elbridge Assessor’s office with the Town of Camillus and Consolidation of Van Buren’s Animal control with our Animal Control Enforcement employee. In both cases, this reduced operational cost of both organizations. There could be other cost benefits to the Town and the Camillus Village if services could be combined but I respect the fact that this is a Village prerogative.
Most Towns and Camillus are working with County on what can be done to increase efficiency and keep costs down for specific services.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment thus far in your position?
Responding to the 3rd Ward issues, concerns, being available for them and the Town residents that contact me...
What specific projects or goals are you most interested in completing or pursuing in your next term?
1. Continue the consolidation of Town services and reduce overhead cost.
2. Do whatever I can to support the “TownShip 5” Life Style Retail Center completion.
