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Tompkins County, New York—The Tompkins County legislature, like the joint committee, is ready to see a large number of people moving in 2022. More than one-third of the legislature will be replaced in the new year, including representative regions from Ithaca to Groton.

This is your introduction to all 18 candidates who answered a fairly uniform set of questions to illustrate their views on some of the most influential issues in Tompkins County in the current era. For other reports, here is information about early voting and Ithaca joint committee candidates answering their own question and answer.

For a map of polling stations in the area on Election Day, please visit the Tompkins County Election Commission website. You can also jump to competitions in each region by clicking on the links in the following regions:

The Republican candidate in this campaign, Christopher Hyer (Christopher Hyer) has yet to answer Ithaca Voice's questions. However, he has agreed to do this before, and his answer will be included in this section immediately after submission.

What would you deem your top priorities if you are elected? 

TB: My top priority includes affordable and accessible daycare and housing, not only for affordability, but also for quality, ownership and taxation. These are two indispensable parts of human beings, and they often create obstacles to becoming a contributing community member and improving our lives, work and entertainment. I am also very concerned about the Green Agreement and achieving energy efficiency by 2035, which builds local infrastructure related to climate resilience through sustainable development supported by green bonds. Finally, county service, budget, and effectiveness are my top priorities. The effectiveness of county-level services from mental health to legal and judicial services needs to be audited so that we can analyze how to better achieve the expected results of these programs that ultimately support the community. 

The first district mainly represents the city of Ithaca. What do you think of Ithaca's role as an economic center in Tompkins County?

TB: New York City has the opportunity to embrace the development of employment, housing, services, and opportunities for all citizens. New York City must make decisions that best benefit the entire community, including service funding, developer recruitment, employers, and the development and retention of small businesses. A local business owner was on the verge of losing a company that had served the community for decades because of the city tax bill. They are behind because of Covid-19. During the epidemic, they did not fire an employee, they still give back to the community and continue their tradition of doing the best for the community. When everything is done, they hope that the city government will work with them to resolve the upcoming tax bill, and the response is "unless the bill is paid in full before this date, or the foreclosure is coming." An example of the most favorable decision of the community. We need to rethink policies and procedures. We need to be creative and imaginative, inclusive, supportive and intentional. 

So far, do you agree to reimagine the results of public safety reforms? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen?

TB: As a member of the working group and continuing to serve in the reimagining working group, I think these suggestions are not deep enough. More importantly, it is obvious that it is impossible to come up with a comprehensive plan when time is limited. This led to obvious worries and anxiety about the draft, and did not provide a clear vision for many of the issues it would solve. 

In the process of our reforms, I urge community members to participate in this process, overwhelm the noise generated by political groups and focus on their work. I hope to see a process that involves stakeholders and is bold enough to take advantage of rare, perhaps even once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to make fundamental changes. This is a system that is unjust and cruel to certain parts of our community. 

What specific measures will you launch to help alleviate the problem of affordable housing? Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime?

TB: I really hope to increase the number of affordable housing by 100 to 150 in the next three years. To this end, we need a reliable strategy. Both use and build existing communities. I suggest that we call on existing homeowners to add new homes or second homes to the properties they already own. In order for everyone to do this, I made some suggestions. First, homeowners living in their own homes will be able to apply for local funds, including low-interest or interest-free loans and forgivable grants, to help keep the increased costs low. Second, the homeowner will be eligible for a 12-year tax deduction due to the increase in the value of the property. Law 421F allows counties and cities to do this, but we need to cooperate with ICSD to achieve this goal. These deductions and benefits only apply to homeowners who live in a house and rent out the house to families receiving housing assistance. 

These additional houses and half-houses will meet the green energy standards, which will be a good opportunity for the heating and cooling systems of these houses to convert electricity. The plan will work directly with Cornell University and has a group of architects willing to provide design assistance, with a focus on green energy and sustainability. In addition, the plan will cooperate with local suppliers, such as Ithaca reuse, to achieve sustainable development goals and other suppliers that support the local economy. As a collective, the county will work with local labor. Our understanding is that we will get jobs in up to 150 houses, which will support the local labor in a very practical way; this will enable homeowners to create another source of income To offset rising taxes and older people who want to stay at home. Individuals who are eligible to live in a house can do so through dignified housing where they will be integrated into the homeowner’s community without being stigmatized and labelled for living in low-income/affordable housing locations where community members should not live or live . Can thrive.

The housing problem has become worse, because housing development aimed at meeting the needs of economically disadvantaged families is unprofitable. Most importantly, more and more homes are now only used for Airbnb units, which makes renting out to families and individuals in financial difficulties even less popular. Affordability is an interesting word. It has to do with who can afford to pay the rent, not whether it is affordable by the people who need it most.

Looking beyond the city, although you represent the voters, what do you think is the most pressing problem facing the county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access?

TB: Lack of affordable childcare and housing is a problem facing the county. Whether you live in the city of Ithaca or a resident of rural Enfield, there are many community members who are struggling day after day trying to provide their children with a roof and a safe place to go when they work. If the basic needs of our citizens are met without overwhelming worries, we cannot expect our communities to develop tremendously in other areas.

What would you deem your 3-5 top legislative priorities if you are elected? 

VP: My first tasks include: 1. Municipal broadband Internet throughout the county. Operating a utility will be a major shift, but we have good local leadership in this area in Dryden Town, as well as Groton’s public power example. At this point, the Internet is entirely a basic utility, but many people in the county have weak or no Internet connections—even the Legislative Council itself has been struggling with connectivity issues. For end users, the public Internet is much cheaper than the Internet provided by companies such as Spectrum, and it allows us to decide where to build infrastructure based on needs and equity considerations, rather than based on the profitability of companies other than Tompkins. The county is currently studying the current state of internet connectivity, so now is the best time to move in this direction.

2. Workforce development, especially around the construction industry and preparations for sustainable transformation with the introduction of green building codes. The county is in a good central position in promoting training programs for locals, especially among people who are historically disconnected from the industry. Focusing on cultivating more local workers will improve the stability and fairness of our county residents and maintain local employment instead of having to rely on labor from other cities to engage in local construction work.

3. Housing stability: Although not a purely county issue, the county can play a role in facilitating Ithaca and other municipalities to choose to join the Emergency Tenant Protection Act and pass renewal legislation. Both will allow more people to live in stable housing, thereby improving the health of our community. At the same time, although it is not a legislative action, I would like to promote stronger support for truly affordable housing through the development funding and tax reduction program guidelines that the county has participated in. 

What do you think is the role of District 2 in Tompkins County?

VP: Most of the residents of District 2 and Cornell University students are in Ithaca. Except for schools and Stewart Park, most of this is a residential area, with many middle-income homeowners and renters. Therefore, its role is closely related to economic, employment and community centers in other regions. The Fall Creek community (where I live) is the main area of ​​the area, with a strong sense of place and active community list service, but I am very interested in continuing to establish connections with other places in the area, especially inviting students and residents may not Realize that they can participate in the local political process during their years here.

So far, do you agree with the results of reimagining public safety reforms at the county level? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen?

VP: At the county level, the proposal passed this spring has many good suggestions to improve the transparency of the entire public safety system and make emergency response more suitable for the nature of each emergency. I support these recommendations, but I want to point out that most of the work is still before us in determining the details and implementation of each recommendation. So far, the county has mainly focused on forming committees to hire staff for the community justice center, and they seem to have thought about how to make the center achieve its goals. (It is worth noting that the most striking reform, the reorganization of IPD, is not within the jurisdiction of the county.) 

As I said before, the public is truly safer when everyone’s basic needs are met, a healthy environment, and strong community connections. Contrary to policing, active public safety measures will provide people with resources in this way. Policing is a passive measure—the police respond after an injury has already occurred. Because these reforms are long-term, I hope to see them include clear plans to use public resources for active security measures and reduce police workload. Looking to the future, I would like to see two questions centered on the implementation of reforms: how can we reduce the crime rate, community injury rate and the incidence of health emergencies from the root cause? At each stage, is the person in the center of the space where the decision takes place the most affected?

You will become a new member of the county council. What do you think you brought to your body that does not exist now? On what topics do you think you will be particularly influential?

VP: Every legislator is connected to their own network and community in the county. I have participated in several community organizations working in Ithaca and Tompkins counties. These organizations have not yet felt that they are related to the current legislation. Special contact of the agency. More broadly, my political work so far is completely rooted in the solidarity movement and collective work. I believe that people who support my campaign and my political understanding remind me that the county’s needs and diversity of experiences are always in legislation. Visible in the conference hall. I am also a trained physicist, so I bring a strong scientific background to decision-making that the current legislator does not possess. My intention is not to focus on a specific topic, but to bring a different perspective to the entire issue handled by the county legislature.

Tompkins County is generally considered the social service center of the area. Is the county doing enough to support people who come here for government help? What should they do more or less?

VP: Of course we can do more. Although the county provides a large number of social services, there are often huge barriers to accessing these services-lack of appointments, lengthy and confusing forms, overlapping requirements that do not suit people's personal circumstances, and so on. Although there are still very real support needs, many people have completely opted out of the government support system. At the same time, I understand that due to the additional state authorization, the county cannot fully control the way it manages various programs, resulting in a complex social service pattern. I look forward to learning more about how our social services work and who is left behind in order to make things better and to fund successful programs that lift people out of poverty and isolation.

It is clear that the city of Ithaca has been struggling with housing issues for many years. What specific measures will you introduce to help alleviate the problem of affordable housing that can be enacted or guaranteed at the county level? Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime?

VP: In short, I think the housing problem will take a long time to resolve, because most public conversations are controlled by developers and landowners, while renters and people with unsafe housing have many views. Although the Ithaca Tenant Alliance has done a good job in changing this balance over the past year, it is difficult to participate in decision-making as an individual, especially if it is likely that tenants move frequently. 

One thing the county can do to alleviate the problem of affordable housing is to change the IDA project guidelines, specifically by lowering the definition of affordable housing rent and ending payment to replace any option to build affordable housing. The county can also support its eligible municipalities to choose to join the Emergency Tenant Protection Act to stabilize tenants in certain housing developments, and it may pass renewal rights legislation or similar legislation, such as those currently before the city government. Legislation once again promotes the stability of low-income tenants. 

Outside of your area, what do you think are the most pressing issues facing the county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access (such as the Dryden Township plan)? 

VP: As mentioned above, the countywide broadband is a viable solution to the serious fairness and access problems. The lack of broadband access is definitely one of the most pressing problems faced by counties outside of my area. But climate change may be the most serious problem facing the entire county. I won’t describe any county-level initiatives as a solution to global climate change, but we can continue to do many initiatives, such as improving the energy efficiency of buildings and transportation, reducing waste generation, expanding food waste and recycling programs, and ending residents’ staying away Displacement of community centers and public transportation lines. 

I don’t think transportation is the biggest* problem facing the residents of District 2? Can public transportation be solved by pure resource increase, or do you recommend efficiency reforms within the current budget of TCAT?

VP: Considering our city center location and very high car ownership rate, traffic is indeed not the biggest problem faced by residents in District 2. In other words, I have talked to many residents of District 2 and they have raised the traffic challenges faced by the people who work with them, or if the relevant bus does not stop running so early, they will be happy to live outside the city Farther away. I do think that increasing resources needs to be part of the solution. TCAT's new transportation development plan has some promising efficiency changes, but it is limited by the requirement to stay within the current budget, so there are still challenges for people living and/or working outside the city center. Investing more public resources in public transportation will save a lot of personal resources for many people who are trying to find alternative transportation methods.

What would you deem your top priorities if you are elected or re-elected? 

HG: My top priority is to reshape public safety, add more affordable housing, and strive to achieve a living wage.

The third district represents at least part of the city of Ithaca. What do you think of Ithaca's role as an economic center in Tompkins County?

HG: The third district includes the Belle Sherman, Bryant Park and South Hill communities. These communities are home to many people who work at Cornell University or downtown Ithaca.

The school district also includes a large part of the Cornell campus. Except for Cornell University, there are not many companies in the third district. The closure of campuses during the pandemic had a very direct impact on the county's sales tax revenue. I think Ithaca is the main economic center of the county, but it is not the only such center. In terms of taxation figures alone, the county-to-city ratio is about 3 to 1. So we must treat the city as a big gear, not the only gear in the economic center.

So far, do you agree to reimagine the results of public safety reforms? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen?

HG: Yes, I very much agree with the current reforms. I think the real challenge is to maintain momentum in the future. The legislature has been implementing reforms well, but we must continue to maintain public acceptance of this process. In the process of making a plan, we have always said that the plan is a living document that will continue to change over time. I look forward to the progress of the reform.

Tompkins County is generally considered the social service center of the area. Is the county doing enough to support people who come here for government help? What else should they do?

HG: This is a difficult question to answer. Most of our annual budget is directly or indirectly used to support people’s social services. So, from this perspective, I would say yes, the county is doing enough to support people. But we also know that the county still has great demand. We know that there is a great need for affordable housing, childcare, living wage jobs, food security, mental health resources, and so on. Sadly, the county has limited resources. Most of our funds come from property tax and sales tax. We must always balance property taxes because we are aware of the burden of high taxes on people. Before the pandemic hit, our sales tax figures had been performing well, and we were hurt by losing this source of income. Therefore, the county tries to support as many people as possible, but there will always be more needs before we can solve it.

For example, we received US$19 million in funding for the US rescue program from the federal government. We use all these funds for county-level expenditures, but promise to provide up to 7 million U.S. dollars in funding for public projects. I personally think that this amount is not enough, and I will continue to work hard to increase this amount.

We do our best to balance all these issues, and I believe this will usually do well.

What specific measures will you launch to help alleviate the problem of affordable housing? Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime?

HG: The specific measure I will continue to work on is the Community Housing Fund. The county, city and Cornell provide funding to the development fund to support affordable housing. The plan uses the funds we provide, but the demand always exceeds the supply of funds. I hope to see us increase funding for the project. This problem took so long to resolve, and it got worse due to market forces. The county town has a great demand for housing, so housing prices have been rising. Many developers see this demand and build houses at market prices to make money from their projects. We know that the construction of affordable housing is not a huge profitable business; therefore, we must incentivize these projects to be completed, which requires time and effort.

Looking beyond the city, although you represent the voters, what do you think is the most pressing problem facing the county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access?

HG: I think reshaping public safety is the most important issue facing the county. I firmly believe that the county is taking measures to solve many challenges involving public safety. Solving these challenges requires a lot of time and energy, but I think we will solve many of them. As for climate change, affordable childcare and broadband access, I think we are heading in the right direction, but it is too early to judge whether we have a viable solution. Take, for example, affordable childcare services. We know that we are a childcare desert, and the number of childcare centers is far below the childcare needs. With financial assistance from the county government, the Child Care Development Committee ("CDC") has been advising people on how to open and operate child care centers. But there are few vacancies for additional childcare services. The CDC made changes to their plan, and the county once again supports these changes. We do know that without the financial support of the county government, we will lose the nursery in the past few years. So yes, this kind of financial support is a viable way to solve the problem.

What would you deem your top priorities if you are elected? 

RJ: Because I don't think we have fully weathered the pandemic, we need to keep an eye on the preparations. I say this because most of the cause of the crisis is uncertainty, not Covid itself. We must respond based on the knowledge gained, and will need to continue to do so until the pandemic is over. Preparing requires maintaining the financial strength of the county and responding quickly to problems when necessary. Standing up for Covid testing, contact tracking and information flow are good examples of how we reacted and served the community well. We must prepare for the next curveball that is coming. The priority of support is to ensure that we appropriately encourage economic activity within the county. Efforts in this area are support for construction projects and labor training. We need a strong economy to maintain this responsiveness. Finally, as the answers to the following questions develop, the launch of the management reimagining public safety plan is definitely a priority.

The fourth district represents at least part of the city of Ithaca. What do you think of Ithaca's role as an economic center in Tompkins County?

RJ: The fourth district is actually completely in the city, with the highest density among all counties. The fourth district includes the university town and the House of Commons, so students rent out properties, long-term residents (own and rented), restaurants and businesses are a real combination. Over the past ten years, the district has witnessed the most significant construction and changes in the county, adding more than a dozen large-scale projects that have been completed or under construction, excluding those in the planning stage. These projects provide a large number of new tax bases in the form of hotels, businesses and rental housing. Although changes have taken place here, the impact goes far beyond the fourth zone. For this reason, it really helps when cities and counties can work together to ensure that these changes are properly managed. By the way, in the next few years, our conference center will become an iconic new member of the area and our city center. The process of breaking ground on this project is a good example of what the city and county can achieve when they cooperate.

So far, do you agree to reimagine the results of public safety reforms? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen?

RJ: If you compare the work done by Tompkins County in developing its reimagining plan with other northern counties, we can be very proud of the effort and energy put into these initiatives. We have adopted an ambitious target agenda and provided substantial financial support. We are establishing a joint office with the New York City Community Justice Center, which will provide a focal point for all initiatives and serve as a source of data analysis. I'm sure that for those who think we should go faster, going through these changes at a steady and deliberate pace can be frustrating. But I believe that we need to complete every step with sufficient transparency and community feedback opportunities.

Ultimately, what we are trying to do is to increase trust between law enforcement agencies and the entire community. Ultimately, what I want to see is better connections so that when problems arise, everyone in the community is willing to ask for help when needed, and to provide help when first responders arrive. This may seem simple, and it may be true, but it is indeed a difficult and important job to get there, and it takes time. We need dedication to see if we can get there.

You have been one of the main voices in the local prison reform. Is there anything else you want to do in that space?

RJ: Once again, Tompkins County has taken a different approach to imprisonment. Our prison population is much lower than the neighboring Shangzhou County. In fact, the public can see the daily prison population reported on the sheriff’s website. At the time I wrote this response, the prison population was 36 people. The national average for a county of our size is about 226. So far, we have been able to hold fewer people in prisons without a corresponding increase in the crime rate. Reducing the prison population can save money and avoid warehouse staff, but the real story lies in the broad alternative to the incarceration ("ATI") program supported by Tompkins County. It is not enough to let people sit in jail or just let them out. Both of these methods are very effective. We work very hard to find the root cause of someone entering the criminal justice system and solve these problems, whether they involve addiction, mental illness, unemployment, homelessness, or education deficiency. The key is to try to take people out of the criminal justice system permanently, but to put them on a path that is more productive for themselves and their communities. And, yes, we have more things we want to do. We are taking some important measures to improve our ability to respond proactively, especially in supportive supervision of housing and work training programs led by collaborative comprehensive community agencies. I hope that we can have dialogue on these issues as these important measures are launched in the future.

Tompkins County is generally considered the social service center of the area, especially Ithaca. Is the county doing enough to support people who come here for government help? What else should they do?

RJ: As pointed out in the last response, Tompkins County has taken a strong approach to dealing with people struggling in the criminal justice system. Likewise, the county puts real resources into human service plans so that those in need can use them. Of course we need to be financially cautious, but at the same time we must recognize and respond to urgent needs. In particular, the pandemic hurts some people far more than others. We need to recognize and resolve these imbalances.

What specific measures will you launch to help alleviate the problem of affordable housing? Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime?

RJ: Tompkins County has long had housing problems. In essence, our housing problem is the result of the success of the local economy. Approximately 15,000 people commute to work in the county every day. Therefore, housing demand has been strong for a long time, which has a significant impact on housing costs. We have a variety of needs, including not enough affordable, labor, market price, seniors, students, supportive or sheltered housing. I am happy to say that in the past few years, we have made some real progress in supporting some of these housing needs, especially in terms of increasing affordable rental options. As the chairman of the TC Industrial Development Agency, I have the opportunity to review these projects when they are proposed and help provide critical support to break ground. And as mentioned above, many such buildings have been seen in the fourth district, so I also saw it from that direction. Nevertheless, we do see more and more people camping openly in the city.

I believe that allowing camping to grow is not a policy solution at all. Of course, this is not a sustainable housing option. We as a community only need to do more in emergency situations to provide basic shelter while enforcing camping rules.

Looking beyond the city, although you represent the voters, what do you think is the most pressing problem facing the county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access?

RJ: We face real challenges in continuing to deal with the pandemic and all its economic and social impacts. Of course, this is a priority and we will continue to pay attention. However, the pandemic has at least brought us a positive opportunity. We received a large amount of funding from the federal government. The legislature has agreed to use part of these funds to create funding opportunities for community projects, called the Recovery Fund, and has voted to apply for up to $7 million in federal funding. Although the terms of the grant program are being worked out, I hope to see proposals that can promote the positive transformation of our community. I have heard discussions about the possibilities of day care, emergency shelters, health care training, housing and economic development. We will have a very strong community dialogue/argument on our priorities. I expect that the Recovery Fund will be ready to accept applications in the next few months. stay tuned.

What would you deem your 3-5 top legislative priorities if you are elected?

AK: Climate mitigation, diversity/equity/inclusiveness, affordable housing, broadband expansion in rural areas, childcare services, and navigation and recovery in the pandemic (sorry, I can’t just stay at 5 years old).

What role do you think your school district plays in Tompkins County? 

AK: District 5 plays many roles in TC; agriculture, housing and entertainment/tourism. In most areas where I live, housing is much cheaper than in Ithaca. Many of us like to live in beautiful rural areas, such as the small village of Jacksonville and the shores of Lake Cayuga. A large part of our land is used to produce food and support local employment. We also have a vibrant downtown in the village of Trumansburg, adjacent to Taughannock Falls State Park and the Black Diamond Recreation Trail. 

So far, do you agree with the results of reimagining public safety reforms at the county level? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen? 

AK: I do agree with the current results, especially the large amount of public participation. I hope to contact other municipalities as soon as possible, regardless of whether they have a public safety department. 

You've been on the legislature since winning election in 2017. What topic are you most bothered by because of either inaction or failure to address during that time period?

AK: In my first few years, it was difficult to get any important attention and action on issues of diversity, inclusiveness and equity. After the death of George Floyd (George Floyd) and the subsequent social uprising, our county legislature and executive branch did respond positively, hiring a chief equity and diversity officer. This person is responsible for overseeing the formation and implementation of the reformulation of public security reforms.

Tompkins County is generally considered the social service center of the area. Is the county doing enough to support people who come here for government help? What should they do more or less?

AK: We can always do more. Having said that, one of the many advantages that I like about TC is that we don't sit back and enjoy what we do. We are always working hard to meet the changing needs of the community. Drug abuse is a big problem handled by many departments and agencies, but the demand is always greater than the service. I am grateful that New York State Attorney General Letitia James recently announced the allocation of US$1.75 million for the prevention and treatment of drug abuse.

Although I think it is not as prominent as Ithaca in other parts of the county, what specific measures will you take to help alleviate the problem of affordable housing? 

AK: One of the most specific things I'm doing right now is to work with the Tompkins County Industrial Development Bureau to develop local labor requirements for any project that receives tax relief. Most of the people I have spoken to would rather find a higher-paying job in the local area so that they can afford the high-priced housing here. Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime? Wages cannot keep up with inflation, including the explosive growth of house prices. People from both inside and outside the state come here to move or invest, because compared to many other places, we are a vibrant and progressive community-which is partly the reason for the higher housing costs.

Outside of your area, although you will represent these voters, what do you think are the most pressing issues facing the entire county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access (such as the Dryden Township plan)? 

AK: These three issues are very important, but I think the most important issue is climate change mitigation. TC recently hired a sustainability officer to guide us through many green initiatives, such as actively reducing the carbon emissions of our facilities to zero net value by 2026. As the chairman of our Planning, Energy and Environmental Quality Committee and a long-time environmentalist, I am proud to support our county’s sustainable development efforts and help us become a role model for other counties in New York State. In addition, TC now has about two dozen fully electric vehicles and more hybrid vehicles in our fleet.

Is transportation the biggest challenge facing residents in your area? This is a problem, but I don't think it is the biggest problem for most people in District 5. However, for those who become a problem, go to work, get food, and take their children. Can the public transport situation here be solved by pure resource increase, or do you recommend efficiency reforms within the current budget of TCAT?

AK: I will leave this answer to my legislative colleagues, who are more actively researching this issue than I did in this article.

What would you deem your 3-5 top legislative priorities if you are elected? 

MS: Development is the number one issue facing Lansing. There are now two utility-scale solar projects that will cover more than 3,000 acres of land in the town. It would change the face of the small town in my life, if it weren't for my children. These power plants are being built on active farmland, close to people’s homes. There needs to be a balance. Industrial development of the land in this way is one thing, but another thing for the homeowners who blindly develop the land inconsistent with the area. It was not a project type even 10 years ago. Most of the site selection of these power plants will be done by the state, so when asked about the role of the county, it should act as a bridge between the state and local governments, and at least the voters should be informed of these huge changes and struggles to mitigate these power plants Will have an impact. Cultivated land protection is clearly the primary issue in the county.

Development is always an urgent issue. Lansing found himself asking, how many dollar stores can the town support? Is this the only development we can see? The town is still under a heavy natural gas ban, which makes industrial development difficult, and residents spend thousands of dollars on heating their homes. For these concerns, NYSEG has little to say except for a plan. Lansing not only hopes to become a bedroom community in Ithaca, which has most of its development advantages.

The reconstruction of the county prison is another pressing issue in the county. Because of Covid, it has always been in a secondary position, but it needs to be resolved as soon as possible. This is an outdated building. I am not suggesting a new prison, but a reform that can fully guarantee the safety of the detainees and our people in the prison. This is a question before the reimagining of the event, I think it is separate. We have solved the problem of allowing those who have been better served in their cases through the courts to continue their lives, but maintaining this balance is an ongoing struggle.

The reimagining of the police and its impact on the Sheriff’s Department are my top five. I voted against taking power away from the elected officials, the sheriff, and placing it in the county administration for most of the initiatives. We can argue whether this has been done, but this is how I look at the establishment of a community justice center. I still believe that the sheriff has the ultimate power over county security. From the county's point of view, the "center" is on Warren Road, not Tioga Street. If changes are needed, I believe these will be implemented by the sheriff and mayor of Ithaca and the mayors of villages with their own departments.

In the end, Covid will still be a struggle, but with the number of cases now reaching single digits, I think we will see more good news than bad news.

What role do you think Lansing plays in Tompkins County?

MS: The lack of natural gas supply is changing Lansing's role in the county, not for the better. The heat pump is very effective when building houses of four or larger units, but for any smaller house, its cost is very high. what does this mean? This means you will get more apartments and fewer houses, less industry, restaurants and retail. As Lansing's utility supplier, NYSEG has given up. Lansing must make a choice. We have always been an agricultural community. I will encourage the town to accept this and support every business related to salt mines, farm-to-table, farmers, and breweries. Lansing can be an outdoor destination with lakesides and open fields, or it can be covered in glass and steel, where people sleep but don't live. We are a town that is always in its infancy. That is our strength, not our weakness.

So far, do you agree with the results of reimagining public safety reforms at the county level? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen?

MS: No. I have always been one of the most outspoken supporters of the local police, and I was shocked by some of the changes in the debate. I believe that law enforcement agencies have been treated badly by some citizens and politicians in our county. We brought two exemplary law enforcement teams and divided them into groups. Each department faced huge challenges. We did not support our people. In many cases, the law enforced by the police may be considered unfair by some people.

Why don't people protest against their legislature instead of the police to change the law? We have a sheriff who runs on a platform that addresses unfairness found in policing. He is and is implementing these changes, but some people and politicians in the community have decided to better attack these efforts to support them Because they have no policing experience, no management experience, and have never volunteered to sit on the advisory committee, they think this is a way forward. Any changes to policing must be made internally by someone who has been dismantling for the past 18 months. They were not demolished for reconstruction; if they were, they would understand that the policemen they attacked were their neighbors, their children went to the same school, and their parents and wives or husbands might work in the same company. They are part of the community just like the protesters. In this sense, many politicians have failed them.

You are one of the most senior members of the Tompkins County Legislature (I believe), especially the members who will leave this year. Since entering the legislature, what is your biggest frustration? Are there any topics or issues that you feel have been overlooked or unresolved?

MS: Focus on national issues rather than local issues. This situation tends to happen more often when there are Republicans in the White House. If there are, we will debate national issues for a few hours, but when we face the same issues and the Democrats are president, somehow they are less important. The politicization of everything has paid a huge price. We have people from outside Lansing or even outside the county and state who oppose certain businesses in Lansing or try to determine what will happen to Tompkins or Lansing. Why? I represent thousands of people and I will do what I think they want, not what someone in Albany or New York City wants. I answer them. I am frustrated to find that we care more about the ideas of advocacy groups than our neighbors.

Tompkins County is generally considered the social service center of the area. Is the county doing enough to support people who come here for government help? What should they do more or less, or what approach would you take?

MS: We have invested a lot of money in social services. This is our largest department, and I am grateful that we have such a capable person to manage it. We are lucky that Kit Kephart applied for this position. I can start from the experience of early intervention. There is no doubt that my family would have lost their lives without the services there, but on the contrary, as a result of this investment, society will have a gift from another actively participating citizen. One mistake made by some people in our party is to treat these social problems as problems that need to be resolved. We must accept that problems such as poverty cannot be solved. We must continue to solve these problems, and we must always do so. There will always be people in need, and we will always need to help them. This is how society is. This is the contract. This does not mean that we should not have expectations of people, nor should we let some people deceive a generous system. We must keep in mind the basic fairness, but we must also admit that in the process of a family's success, there will be many failures. Although this family may have found a foothold, another family that has lost its foothold will also appear.

Although my understanding of the Lansing market is not as good as that of Ithaca, what specific measures will you take to help ease concerns about affordable housing? Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime?

MS: If you want affordable housing, you need basic infrastructure. We do not have natural gas in Lansing, and most of the town has no sewers, so there will be restrictions on where you can build a house. An example of obstacles. If there is no natural gas, builders with more than four units may consider using heat pumps, but the grid cannot handle it. Now, builders will have to pay for utility upgrades. Should they? Or the sewer. Without it, your density will be limited. Another limiting factor of Lansing is supervision. Milton Meadows has become a magnet for the police. The developer promised the town that there will be a manager on site and the tenant who caused the problem will be removed. We have now reached a point where the people you want to join the community choose not to live in a complex community because the management seems unable to deal with the minority.

Looking beyond Lansing, although you will represent these voters, what do you think are the most pressing issues facing the entire county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access (such as the Dryden Township plan)? 

MS: Since you asked these three questions, I will answer them.

As for climate change, the only solution is nuclear power. We can convert everything into electricity, but the main source of power generation is fossil fuels. I have proposed to renovate the 13-foot dam’s hydropower locally, but this and solar and wind energy are not enough to meet our current demand, let alone power all our vehicles and heat our houses. Since the 1970s, nuclear energy has made great strides, and the rejection of nuclear energy shows a lack of seriousness on this issue.

When it comes to childcare services, perhaps we have not realized the true cost of childcare services. The state continues to enact regulations on nurseries to exclude those who may be able to look after two or three children. Of course we need to see changes in the way we work. Although this may be helpful for white-collar jobs, there are only some jobs that you must show up. We need government and private enterprise methods to solve this problem. If you use government methods, you need to subsidize and cancel certain regulations to reduce the cost of providing the service. We will decide how much and which regulations can be cut.

Broadband is essential, but Dryden's plan requires a hammer to solve the problem of scalpels. The county is now conducting actual accounting for people without broadband. It shouldn’t take that long, I’m thinking about the end of this year. Then we can ask this question in the proposal request, how many people to contact, and then we pay the fee. Other counties have already done this and have connected these people. Why set up a new "company", including customer service, service trucks, line employees, billing, marketing, to connect hundreds of homes without broadband, and then provide untested new services to those families that already have broadband ? Why overbuild in areas that already have broadband? It is easier to transform a broadband service provider into a government than it is to transform a government into a broadband provider.

Is transportation the biggest challenge facing residents in your area? Can public transportation be solved by pure resource increase, or do you recommend efficiency reforms within the current budget of TCAT?

MS: High taxes and increasing cost of living are the number one challenge faced by residents in our district. As the inflation rate rises, their costs are still rising. Everything we just talked about, nurseries, electricity, natural gas, heating oil, and natural gas are all increasing costs. If you want more bus services, the three partners will have to increase funding. The cost of routes to sparsely populated areas is higher than the number of passengers in these areas. This doesn't mean it shouldn't be done, but a gallon of gas or electricity costs a certain amount, and it costs more to travel from Lansing than from the city center. Unless a new mode of transportation like the Super Loop disrupts the current system, the bus is the best option we have, and if partners want to keep it, more funds are needed.

What would you deem your 3-5 top legislative priorities if you are elected? 

What do you think is the role of District 7 in Tompkins County?

DK: District 7 has open spaces and scenery that many county residents like. However, our terrain price is due to poor Internet and mobile phone signals.

So far, do you agree with the results of reimagining public safety reforms at the county level? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen?

DK: I very much agree with the reimagining of county-level public security reforms. I'm not sure if they will succeed—no one succeeds—so it’s important to treat them as an experiment. I also realize that these reforms were carried out at a time when crime seemed to be increasing. I support the police and refuse to demonize them on a large scale.

Do you think the legislature has failed on any particular issue during your time as a member of the Diet? If so, what do you think is the biggest obstacle?

DK: The only time I felt that the legislature "failed" during my eight years in the legislature was when we ended the initial broadband research with a 9 to 5 vote last month. We replaced it with different research. I advocate conducting both studies at the same time, and the price tag is only $20,000-a small amount compared to our overall budget. There is no compelling reason to abandon the first study.

Tompkins County is generally considered the social service center of the area. Is the county doing enough to support people who come here for government help? What should they do more or less?

DK: Sometimes demand seems to be bottomless. I also feel that some people cannot improve their conditions no matter how much help the government provides. Overall, I think Tompkins County has done enough.

Although I think it is not as prominent in town as it is in Ithaca, what specific measures will you take to help alleviate the problem of affordable housing? Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime?

DK: I may be the few people in the county council who think we have little role in the affordable housing crisis. Since affordable housing seems to be almost everywhere, this is obviously not an easy problem to solve. I think there is an additional factor at work in Tompkins County because we are such a popular place to live that the housing supply cannot meet the demand.

Outside of your area, although you will represent these voters, what do you think are the most pressing issues facing the entire county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access (such as the Dryden Township plan)? 

DK: I think the most pressing issues facing our county are things that transcend national boundaries: housing crisis, lack of affordable healthcare, climate change, inflation, lack of family health assistants, threats to democracy, and so on. In this county, we can cannibalize these problems, but they cannot solve them. What we can do is to have a strong safety net and improve our quality of life as much as possible.

Is transportation the biggest challenge facing the residents of District 7? Can public transportation be solved by pure resource increase, or would you suggest efficiency reforms within the current budget of TCAT (as the chairman of the board, I understand you may not be able to answer this question)?

DK: Transportation is a problem in all rural areas of the county. There is no public transportation at all in West Danby. TCAT is an excellent community asset, and more money will generate more services. But the amount we are talking about is huge. Transportation is very expensive, and there is no alternative.

What would you deem your 3-5 top legislative priorities if you are elected? 

RB: For me, the first priority is our children and young people. This has been my focus for twenty years and I will stay focused on this issue when elected. The county needs to understand how few health opportunities are in our rural towns and help identify, organize, and fund the organizations currently established at the town level. We have many outstanding people in Enfield and Newfield who are volunteering and carrying out youth projects, but our county has very little funding for them.

After my top priority is our senior citizens. Most are fixed income, and all costs are rising. Coupled with rising taxes and health care costs, elderly people are forced to make difficult choices. We need to proactively identify all elderly people who need help by category and provide customized solutions for the areas where they live. This will help many caregivers to help their families through the inevitable housing choices. OAR has compiled a good document detailing many of the available services, and we can start from there.

The third is food and agriculture. I will focus on supporting the current family farms, micro-agriculture and home gardens to take a step towards sustainable agriculture. Creating as much food locally in the first place will be much more efficient and healthier. Both Enfield and Newfield are considered food deserts and fail to notice this. The pantry should continue to be funded and receive more support and praise. 

Almost all shopping for food and basic needs is done outside of our town, because there are almost no shops nearby. I believe there are some logical solutions to improve the quality and availability of food near where we live. The county should set up a working group to consider agriculture as a solution to certain food needs and determine the capabilities that our rural communities have or can actually create.

Other areas of concern and concern are rising energy costs and the solid waste we generate. I have a background in facility efficiency and zero waste systems, and I will help the county improve.

What do you think is the role of Enfield/Newfield (your area, essentially) in Tompkins County?

RB: My focus is to improve the lives of people who need help or help in Enfield and Newfield. I believe we can be a model for discussing, identifying and solving problems. Our role in Tompkins County has been restricted for many years, and I will help change this by working with people and empowering them. We will develop action items and work more closely with the county. 

So far, do you agree with the results of reimagining public safety reforms at the county level? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen?

RB: I support our sheriff's department and don't want it to merge with the city police department. Our rural characteristics are very different from Ithaca, and we need unique services and support. I agree with four opinions, they are on my website www.randybbrown.com. I think rural cities and towns should work closely with our sheriffs to work hard to improve services and interactions with the public.

This is the most crowded game in the county legislature. What do you think makes you the best choice between yourself, Vanessa Greenlee and Bob Lynch?

RB: I am the most qualified of the three candidates. One, I am the product of this community and spend most of my time here. I know the challenges facing our rural communities because I have been living here and have been educated by dozens of relatives who have lived here all my life. I lived in a mobile home more than once in my life and understood the challenges of our disadvantaged families. 

Over the past two decades, my commitment to Newfield, the town where I grew up, has been unmatched by Vanessa and Bob. I have always been a staunch volunteer and financial supporter of youth projects and entertainment projects in our school. Nine years on our school board and eight years on the planning committee have allowed me to gain insights that my competitors do not have.

In addition, my work experience is profound. From the gardener and custodian to the presidents of the two companies, I have been able to build trust and respect at all levels. Setting up a team and working together to solve problems has always been our advantage, and it will serve our 8 districts.

Tompkins County is generally considered the social service center of the area. Is the county doing enough to support people who come here for government help? What should they do more or less?

RB: We should help everyone who needs help, but I believe that there are enough people living here now, and they need and deserve our help. In my opinion, the county government is not aware of the challenges we are currently facing, and ignoring these challenges will lead to the continued deterioration of our community. So far, I have visited more than 1,250 houses in Enfield and Newfield. It is an education and an honor to be welcomed by so many people. Serious discussions have allowed me to better understand how much people care about their communities. 

Although I think Newfield/Enfield is not as prominent as Ithaca, what specific measures would you take to help alleviate the county’s affordable housing problem? Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime?

RB: Enfield and Newfield are not immune to rising house prices and rents. We saw people leaving Ithaca and moving to our town because of the high cost of Ithaca, and we welcomed them with open arms. There have been no affordable housing projects in our district for 30 years. This is caused by many factors. Both Enfield and Newfield have some trailer parks, which are usually affordable housing. The specific action I want to promote is to make trailers and other high energy/cost houses more efficient. We must understand this problem and work hard to solve it. This is good for low-income families and the environment. 

Looking beyond Dryden, although you will represent these voters, what do you think are the most pressing issues facing the entire county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access (such as the Dryden Township plan)? 

RB: Broadband is a necessity. I appreciate Dryden's efforts. David McKenna has been focusing on this for many years and is making progress. The county is also developing a plan, and I hope to participate in it. I believe that the county is on the right path, but large companies like Spectrum will not make an effort unless their return on investment is less than five years. The county government should work hard with big companies to improve services and reduce residents' costs.

I think we need to take a realistic attitude towards climate change. We should focus more on reducing the demand for carbon-based fuels by improving the energy efficiency of all households and starting with low-income households. We must also understand the importance of natural gas; if we lose the power grid and this happens, natural gas is a backup energy source for many of our public and private buildings. I am opposed to hydraulic fracturing because water is a more important resource. I do believe that nuclear power may be a solution in the future, but this is beyond my salary scale.

My wife Debi has been providing daycare services for many years and she is very good at it. The law has changed, which makes operation very difficult and costly. I think there is an opportunity to make use of public buildings that are already in compliance with the current regulations, which will reduce costs in our rural areas.

Is transportation the biggest challenge facing residents in your area? Can public transportation be solved by pure resource increase, or do you recommend efficiency reforms within the current budget of TCAT?

RB: Transportation is very important for people who can't afford a car or can't drive. All the necessities are in Ithaca, Watkins Glen or Elmira, where few people walk or bike. First of all, I think Cornell should provide a lot of funding for TCAT. Their growth over the years has been very low, and current budgets limit routes in rural areas. 

I believe in the efficiency and utilization of assets. We should review all entities that provide transportation services, including schools, and improve services through efficiency and coordination. Let us not forget the many people who drive alone every day and provide rewards for carpooling. The merger may mean as few as two people.

What would you deem your 3-5 top legislative priorities if you are elected?

VG: My top legislative priorities are green energy, food systems, childcare, public transportation and broadband.

What do you think is the role of District 8 in Tompkins County?

VG: Enfield and Newfield have more affordable housing than many other places in the county. Because of this, we have absorbed some spillovers from counties where housing costs are relatively high. Our area offers vast spaces and beautiful scenery to enjoy. Rural areas such as Enfield and Newfield have a role to play in producing renewable energy from solar installations and other sources, not only in Tompkins County, but across the state. We need to provide more support for basic services such as broadband, transportation, and childcare/aged care to maximize participation in the county economy.

So far, do you agree with the results of reimagining public safety reforms at the county level? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen?

VG: Judging from my talk, our district's views on reshaping public safety initiatives tend to be defensive. This posture is that public safety officials have no intention of causing harm, so the claim of unfavorable results is illegal. But I think there is a working space between these two ideas. Public safety officials may have good intentions, and the results may be negative, and these two realities can coexist at the same time.

One of the themes of the dialogue on the Reimagining Public Safety website is the community rehabilitation program to identify the trauma suffered by the community, especially the intergenerational trauma experienced by marginalized communities and communities of color, as well as the trauma experienced by law enforcement officials. I haven't seen an organized dialogue with the outer community-trying to deal with the observations. I think that if this work is seen as more legal, it will only add value to the reforms being tried. So I think there is still work to be done among those who may play the role of bystanders more.

We need to see the beginning of the real-time public safety community dashboard as soon as possible. Before we can monitor changes in conditions, as residents, our ability to assess whether the reform plan goes too far or goes too far is limited.

This is the most crowded game in the county legislature. What do you think is the best choice between Randy Brown and Bob Lynch?

VG: County legislators who actively support their families and participate in the labor force are few. I represent these views.

Tompkins County is generally considered the social service center of the area. Is the county doing enough to support people who come here for government help? What should they do more or less?

VG: Tompkins County passed a resolution advocating the state to provide broader support, such as single-payer healthcare. The childcare model that only relies on parental funding is unsustainable in scale. The county should advocate for the expansion of state support for childcare in order to stabilize childcare services throughout the region.

Although I think it is not as prominent as Ithaca in Newfield/Enfield, what specific measures would you take to help ease concerns about affordable housing? Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime?

VG: I heard from our residents that housing-related costs—such as energy, broadband, and property taxes—are more concerned. Therefore, I expect to concentrate there first.

Outside of your area, although you will represent these voters, what do you think are the most pressing issues facing the entire county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access (such as the Dryden Township plan)? 

VG: The most pressing long-term issue is to adapt to climate change in a fair and just manner. Knowledge has become so highly specialized in science, technology, and medicine that many people are deprived of rights and distrust. The changes we see in environmental and social norms are happening so fast that it is difficult to adapt. The job is to reverse the process of environmental degradation and speed up climate adaptation strategies while maintaining social justice. I am proud to live in Tompkins County, where we have historically strong leaders in the abolition of slavery, the fight for women’s voting rights, and the LGBTQIA equality movement. Social justice in the climate change period is our struggle.

We must overcome our dependence on fossil fuels. The county's green facility net zero carbon emission initiative is feasible, and I will strongly support it. We need stronger local food systems to offset possible disruptions in the supply chain in the future. Tompkins Foods Future Plans is setting goals for feasible solutions, such as increasing connections between local producers and food stores and large local food buyers. As the known and unknown climate change moves towards us, and the ensuing conflict of opinions how we can anticipate how to respond, we need civil servants who can understand the complexity of our respective views at work in order to activate our common humanity. I'm running for public office because maybe I can be a viable part of my job.

Is transportation the biggest challenge facing the residents of District 8? Can public transportation be solved by pure resource increase, or do you recommend efficiency reforms within the current budget of TCAT?

VG: Transportation is the biggest challenge in Zone 8. This week I interviewed a resident without a car—she lives on a county road with no sidewalks and no lighting—paying $25 for a one-way commute for two miles to work before dawn. We need better transportation options than this. 

A functional change to improve public transportation in rural areas is the addition of first mile/last mile service so we can connect passengers to the main TCAT lines. The two regions have already started piloting, and Newfield/Enfield would be great to be the next one.

However, the second bigger change that needs to be made is that we must get rid of the perpetual cycle of low passenger flow/low availability routes. I mean people don't take TCAT because there is no availability, and then there is no availability because people don't take TCAT. I don't think it is a problem of resource increase or efficiency reform. This is about organizational modeling. We need to fundamentally challenge the assumption that public transportation is regarded as a social welfare, and promote public transportation to become a viable option for those who can drive. What does it take to double or quadruple the current number of passengers? So what resources will it attract? I want to try to answer these questions. 

Note: Although Lynch announced when he lost the primary election in June that he would no longer run actively, he was still on the ballot because "people should have a chance to vote for me if they want," he said.

What would you deem your 3-5 top legislative priorities if you are elected?

RL: Priority 1, for any candidate; any office; in any election; local, state, or national, is to let COVID-19 lag behind us. Carrying this deadly monkey, we have lived for too long. We must do our best to fight this intrusive virus at all levels of government and unite as a society to fulfill our mission.

I'm not just talking about fighting COVID. I act. Records will show that as early as August 2020, I spoke in front of the county legislature and advocated universal COVID-19 surveillance testing in county (later reimbursed by the federal government) expenses. It happened. Last winter, when my Enfield voters clamored to establish a vaccine registry, I wrote a town council resolution asking Tompkins County and New York State to make the registry a reality. Again, it happened. Recently, I asked our Enfield Town Council to develop vaccine or testing tasks for its employees. No, that didn't happen; but only because the majority of the town council opposed me. But I tried it. I will try again. When I know that I am on my side, I am willing to "take an arrow."

For me, the second priority is government transparency. For two years, our county legislature and its executive branch kept a big secret from the rest of us. They negotiated to purchase an expensive real estate valued at US$2.8 million next to our court building as their preferred location for the current US$30 million office building. It wasn't until this summer that lawmakers quickly approved the deal, and the deal was not made public. They rarely invite public discussion.

I think it is wrong to legislate confidentiality. We pay taxes and elect our leaders have the right to know how those we promote to power exercise their precious privileges. In Enfield, our supervisor recently decided not to allow the public to attend our advisory board meeting. She said that it is inappropriate to let "uninformed" residents participate "because it is more destructive than production." She was so wrong. Democracy is destined to be chaotic. Despotism is easy. Then all you need is a 20-pound sledgehammer and a few voluntary accomplices. We must demand an open government. As a county councillor, I will stick to it.

For me, priority three must be security. I see more and more police car videos on the pages of this website, accompanied by reports of "gunshots", "victims being stabbed" or "people attacked during a home invasion". The interim county administrator recently warned the legislative committee that her staff in the public service building no longer feel safe. As we strive to achieve racial justice, we must also realize that no one can freely exercise her rights while living in fear. I suspect that violent crime is invading our community from far away. We must recognize it and use wisdom, reason and courage to solve it.

What do you think is the role of District 8 in Tompkins County?

RL: The eighth district — which I prefer to call the Great Tompkins Southwest District — is a rural area that consists of most of Newfield and Enfield. It has been my home for 52 years. I feel its pulse. I cherish its uniqueness. I swear to protect its interests.

Many times, outsiders, and even many local residents, equate Tompkins County with the urbanized Ithaca. They think of Cornell University, Downtown Commons, Moosewood. But as an Enfield legislator, I saw a different Tompkins County. I see an old woman living in a dilapidated mobile home; proud, a rustic citizen, she wears the same tattered clothes every week to travel to the Enfield pantry to make ends meet, and her yard may be Garbage grows only because her budget does not cover the cost of solid waste. I talk to voters who can’t understand how our county government needs to spend $30 million on a new office or create beautiful administrative work whose titles are incomprehensible. I saw a county swimming with cash while we were in Enfield trying to get our town secretary a good salary.

We in Great Tompkins-Southwest should have someone who can speak for our rural values. This fall, three people compete for your vote to provide this voice. Think wisely when making choices. The person you choose must have reasoning and experience to combat the effects of urbanization and wealthierness, which often cause our county legislature to spend too much cash and wander in unknown directions. There is something about this elderly country boy. He can find the path of common sense through the mist of elitism. 

So far, do you agree with the results of reimagining public safety reforms at the county level? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen?

RL: Let me start like this. One afternoon during the primary election this spring, I shared some time with a leader of our district, and some people are very familiar with it. She said that she participated in one of the focus groups that contributed to the reimagined report. She said she felt out of place; it seemed that the coordinator did not welcome her thoughtful, gentle, and supportive police response. This tells me everything I need to know about the objectivity of the reimagined report.

To repeat how I answered a similar question on this news site in June, I think the city/county reimagining the public safety report is a "lost opportunity." If we took a different approach, we could have achieved more; propose more severe measures to combat police violence, and those who provide more trust in color-blind law enforcement believe that they protect our safety.

Let us really understand that the "reimagining report" was written in response to the authorization of the governor inspired by politics; another example is Andrew Cuomo spotting a parade, seeing where it is going, and then jumping ahead of it. At the county council meeting last summer, someone asked Albany what Albany did with the lengthy 98-page document we prepared methodically with taxpayers' money. "Oh, they just thank us for that," some administrative employees replied. That's it. That's all the tasks. Reimagine any benefits the report provides us.

Our county administrator should not authorize his department to establish a "cooperation" with the City of Ithaca to write this document. Not only are the needs of cities different. Compared with the rural areas of our county, urban residents in Ithaca tend to be more dismissive of strict security. More often, we treat the police as friends rather than opponents. "Community Solutions" social workers may sometimes provide valuable assistance to uniformed police and provide a gentler side to law enforcement. But this team player should only supplement rather than replace those who must enter dangerous situations and use lethal force when force is really needed.

The city of Ithaca now finds itself in a public war of words with the police union. We should never take the dangerous path of Ithaca politicians, to please the state media while ignoring the hardworking men and women working in our public safety building. Please note that we will never tolerate excessive racism. To this end, I call for the adoption of a "zero tolerance policy." It will require unapologetic and stricter discipline, including the right to fire any official for inappropriate racial misconduct.

But I also support our Sheriff Derek Osborne. I believe he has achieved a fair balance. I worry that the community justice center that is being established might put us on the preferred policing agenda of Ithaca; it’s not our own. Each of us has different needs. Each of us should strive to find a personalized solution.

This is the most crowded game in the county legislature. What do you think makes you the best choice between yourself, Vanessa Greenlee and Randy Brown?

RL: From the beginning of the campaign, I promised myself that I would never be "negative." This is too common elsewhere. Voters don't like it. I do not have either. But since someone asked me to compare and contrast, let me stick to the facts:

I do not believe one wins an election without hard work, preparation and sacrifice. About 50 years ago, when the county legislature was called the representative committee, I started reporting on the Tompkins County government as a broadcast reporter. I know and report on the Titans of that era. Through my reports, I have gained the self-evident spirit of this place; the solemn inherent in the county’s governance; the solemn, awesome duty one assumes with the office to which he's elected; The needs of voters are obligated to place above partisan politics or the limited views of those who may carry the largest loudspeakers. I respect the tradition of transparency in the legislature, and I worry that this attribute has been lost in the pursuit of efficiency and expediency in recent years. Understanding the true cultural heritage of an organization cannot be learned overnight. I am not a newcomer. I have learned.

But knowledge requires review lessons to maintain relevance and freshness. Just as I "deeply researched" Enfield governance before entering its town council—I attended almost all town council meetings for nearly a year—I used the same counseling discipline to seek this seat in the county legislature.

Allow me to criticize at this moment. Yes, for me, it touched my nerves. Although my competing candidate may have participated in the Good Life Night last summer, I sacrificed my time to participate in the two-monthly long meeting of the county council. I am often the only aspiring candidate in any region of Chambers. But I not only listened and learned; I also recorded key discussions with pen and paper like any good journalist. Then I went home to work late into the night, documenting legislative affairs through stories posted on my website bob-lynch-tompkins.com. Yes, this is work. However, anyone seeking a position should not expect to gain authority on the silver plate. I do not. 

More than once, I have brought urgent matters to the attention of legislators in my privilege of speaking. I studied the problems faced by legislators in our county. I formed an opinion. I took these opinions as instructed by my conscience. I voiced and expressed my concerns about COVID-19 and the legislature's $2.8 million purchase of downtown real estate. I have been told. I let others know.

My work did not end there. Compared to others, I attend Newfield Town Council meetings more frequently—more frequently—. By doing this, I learned about the problems and participants of the new town I was trying to represent. And, of course, I often participate and actively participate in our Enfield Town Council, where I serve as a councillor.

I'm ready. I believe I am more prepared than others. I finished my homework. I have already paid the dues. I am ready to serve.

Tompkins County is generally considered the social service center of the area. Is the county doing enough to support people who come here for government help? What should they do more or less?

RL: Social service, at least as a county department, is still one of the departments I am least familiar with. I chose to rely on my family instead of an institution. I have never visited what was once called the "welfare office" as a client, and I rarely visited as a reporter. However, it’s interesting that I heard people describe New York’s social services sector (including our own sector) as impersonal, methodical, and downright ruthless. It may be changing. But it takes time to change.

Let me tell the story of another component. I met a couple who are the parents of problem teenagers. This 18-year-old will keep herself (or herself) away from family. Mom and Dad are really worried that their children will hurt themselves or others. They contacted the mental health department. "I'm sorry," the answer is, "we can do nothing; that person is an adult."

This story tells the failure of the "system"; a social worker is either unable or unwilling to expand the rules slightly, perhaps to save one life, or many lives. We read time and time again the national stories about how government agents failed, how a lost soul fell from a crack into the danger of society. We need a social service network to make members brave beyond conformity. We need people who are willing to break the rules to save society.

Although I think it is not as prominent as Ithaca in Newfield/Enfield, what specific measures would you take to help ease concerns about affordable housing? Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime?

RL: I have a chance to solve the problem of affordable housing early in the campaign. What I said at the time still holds true. I will speak bluntly. Most initiatives to increase the local housing stock, centered on Ithaca, are nothing more than a mess. Their central argument is based on a flawed premise; that local residents want to rent forever. The new housing stock, the new tile-faced high-rise buildings that suddenly appeared in Ithaca like dandelions and became equally ugly, failed to meet the true needs of young families seeking to take root and establish ownership rights. They said that renting a house is for college students. "This is how I lived when I first started," people told me. However, this is what this community keeps building. Why? Because that's where a lot of money is.

The Tompkins County Legislature has at least three seats in the Industrial Development Agency (IDA). If I were a member of the legislature, I would encourage IDA to support owner-occupied multi-family homes, not just renting. Outside of our urban core, I do not encourage excessively aggressive supervision of new house construction. Let us not increase the price of a new house beyond what we can afford. 

"I'm tired of renting. Do you know there are houses for sale?" A young lady asked me recently when I was soliciting tickets from door to door in Newfield. The irony is that many of the strongest advocates of affordable housing in our community — rent, all — will never live in such a place themselves, but have already enjoyed the fruits of owning a home. Let us work hard to help our communities provide them with the kind of housing that people really want. Let us not just appease the developers.

Beyond Newfield/Enfield, although you will represent these voters, what do you think are the most pressing issues facing the entire county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access (such as the Dryden Township plan)? 

RL: First of all, this question makes me find it difficult to answer. What is the "most pressing problem"? There are so many. Then it hit me. This is precisely the question I had the courage to mention in the privilege of speaking in the county legislature on July 20.

The federal government has allocated nearly $19.9 million to the Tompkins County government under the American Rescue Program (ARPA). In an objective sense, we may not be worthy of the money. The Fed’s "counterfactual" (yes, it is indeed a word) calculations claimed that the county finances lost $27 million during the pandemic. In fact, our fund balance has increased. It's ok. This is free money, and we must find the best way to spend it.

Contrary to my suggestion in late July, the county council will use all ARPA funds for "government operations", of which three-quarters are reserved for "cash for capital", liquidity reduces the future guarantee requirements for projects such as new office buildings.

I told the legislature that spending cash on physical stores violated ARPA's intentions. As I said, these funds should be "serving the people." As for designating it for buildings, I warned my potential colleagues, "This is not a rescue plan. That is a want. You should know the difference between want and need."

I think my warning is in place. Two months later, the county legislature opened up a backdoor route that could spend at least part of Uncle Sam's money. The legislature now plans to use up to 7 million U.S. dollars or more from its huge fund balance to assist various human service programs that really use large relief checks to meet people's needs.

My priority is money for people? How about helping our Enfield pantry get rid of the cramped space and build a new home for yourself? do you know? On September 7, I went to the county council and told them this. This is my way of leadership. This is how I serve. Whether it was in the Enfield Town Council or the Legislative Chamber one day, I managed it like this: I found a problem. I saw an opportunity. I seized the opportunity and said it. Whether I win or lose this election, I will not stop doing this. 

Is transportation the biggest challenge facing the residents of District 8? Can public transportation be solved by pure resource increase, or do you recommend efficiency reforms within the current budget of TCAT?

RL: The eighth district is a rural area. Unlike the urbanized Ithaca, TCAT buses cannot drive on every road or stop near every residence. In the foreseeable future, we must go beyond bus lines to meet our transportation needs. Progressive people in the city center may not want to hear these words. But rural realists like me know the truth of common sense. For us, the car is here.

This does not mean that TCAT is useless. Once residents drive to the park and interchange hub, TCAT can take them to their final destination. It saves gas. It saved the earth. And save trouble. Borrowing broadband Internet slang, TCAT serves the "middle mile" well. It is the "last mile" to the home where simple solutions cannot be adopted.

I live about 5 miles from the nearest park-and-ride parking lot outside the Enfield Highway garage. So if my car breaks down, I can't take the bus either. More and more people find that their prices in the new car market are not high. In order to improve access to better personal transportation for people with financial difficulties, government leaders must do all they can to increase the affordability of vehicles.

This is a heavy burden. Don't expect a county councillor to solve the problem. But at least he or she must be aware of the problem. To ensure that the "last mile" travel is safe and snow-free, let us invest enough in the county and township highway departments. Going back to those departments with sufficient staff, coincidentally, I just voted on the Enfield Town Council this month.

What would you deem your 3-5 top legislative priorities if you are elected? 

LS: Safety is my key word: safe roads, safe bridges, safe homes, safe communities, safe communities. As a predominantly rural area, the needs of District 9 are sometimes different from those of other counties. Infrastructure, law enforcement, and support for our aging population are my main priorities. Many of our residents live on a fixed and limited income, and I will constantly weigh the tax and fiscal impact of our legislative decisions.

What do you think is the role of District 9 in Tompkins County? 

LS: Historically, District 9 (Growton Town and Village in the northeast of Lansing, and the McLean area extending to Dryden) has deep business, manufacturing, and agricultural roots: most people live People in the region have traditionally also worked in it and supported a wide range of businesses, businesses, and local services. In the past 35 years, the economic changes here have been shocking. Most of our residents now work outside of the larger community, and for many, this is the home we return to at the end of our shift. People live in the area because of its affordable cost, relative safety, and the strong sense of community we can maintain here. I think District 9 provides balance and diversity to the central areas of the county, which have seen significant recent growth and are heavily influenced by the university economy.

So far, do you agree with the results of reimagining public safety reforms at the county level? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen?

LS: As far as I am concerned, I haven't seen many results. As far as I am concerned, it may be a good start to solve a series of problems. The county is making long-term investments in organization and finances, and I welcome attention to mental health response, training of our officials, and a comprehensive review of procedures. Most of the work had already been carried out locally before the authorization of the former governor. Many positive components have been overshadowed by the late inclusion of the New York City police restructuring proposal. Given the strong reaction and attention to this single proposal, it may be a challenge for lawmakers to focus on so many other goals.

There can be no more questions about the timing of the completion of this study. During the pandemic, how can we ensure wider, more diverse and meaningful input from all surrounding areas of the county? Zoom meetings and focus groups are necessary, but they do not reach areas like District 9. Our public safety agency has done some incredible work and reached into our community, and I think the report does not reflect many of our things to do the right thing in Tompkins County. I hope to see this balance move forward.

You will become a new member of the county council. What do you think you brought to your body that does not exist now? On what topics do you think you will be particularly influential?

LS: Although I am a new member of the agency, I am not a new member of Tompkins County or other local governments. I have enjoyed more than 30 years of professional career in Tompkins County. As the Director of Emergency Response (17 years), I was responsible for two key initiatives: large-scale integration of emergency dispatch operations and Project management. I have enjoyed three years of close participation and coordination with other levels of government that interact with county organizations: federal, state, town, village, school, and special zone. Now, as a small business owner who works and interacts in my area every day, I hope to provide a rural "streetman" perspective for many discussions. 

Tompkins County is generally considered the social service center of the area. Is the county doing enough to support people who come here for government help? What should they do more or less?

LS: In my experience, Tompkins County’s investment and commitment to social services is unparalleled, especially in counties of similar size or smaller. In other words, I have been a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician, working in our ambulance service department for more than 35 years. In those years, I served as Chief of the Groton Fire Department. The COVID situation has exacerbated many of our vulnerabilities-in recent years, I have witnessed an increasing number of local drug abuse, mental health, domestic violence and suicide problems. We need to pay close attention to our outreach and support services, and as evidenced by the reshaping public safety report, develop alternatives for current responders. In many cases, public safety is our only mechanism to deal with these crises, and their ability to solve deeper problems is limited.

Although I think it is not as prominent in town as it is in Ithaca, what specific measures will you take to help alleviate the problem of affordable housing? Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime? 

LS: This is the rural view: affordable housing is actually a county-wide problem. It is driving disadvantaged and economically disadvantaged residents out of cities and into rural areas where many support services (such as childcare, medical care, mental health, and substance abuse support) are limited or non-existent. We no longer have the basic facilities in District 9 such as mature grocery stores or pharmacies, and for those who cannot drive into the business district, social and entertainment opportunities are also limited. In the short term, I want to explore ways to address these needs in our region. Obviously, when the demand for high-income housing is still so large, the private sector in key areas of the county does not have much incentive to support and develop affordable housing. It is great to see the tax base grow steadily, but this is at the expense of low-income workers and residents. Local governments need to strive for more balance.

Outside of your area, although you will represent these voters, what do you think are the most pressing issues facing the entire county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access (such as the Dryden Township plan)? 

LS: I am closely monitoring the broadband access plan in Dryden Town and hope to develop a viable model for other communities. The state and federal definition of "visit" has largely promoted grants and subsidies. Although simple visits and speed may improve in some areas, affordability remains a challenge. 

The most pressing issue for me at the moment does not seem to have received much attention, and that is public safety. Just three weeks ago, there was a shooting in Groton Village-where I slept 200 feet from me on Sunday morning. This is unheard of, but unfortunately, it shows that there are broader problems within the county. In today's existing environment, law enforcement agencies have too much pressure on personnel and insufficient equipment. There are far fewer people hoping to enter this necessary field, and we are witnessing the outflow of many dedicated officials. This situation does not bode well for our residents, and our local government needs to pay attention to it.

Is transportation the biggest challenge faced by residents of District 9? Can public transportation be solved by pure resource increase, or do you recommend efficiency reforms within the current budget of TCAT?

LS: Please refer to the challenge above. (No, this is not the biggest challenge here)... Public transportation in Tompkins County is well-funded and can be obtained through TCAT. Frankly speaking, based on my own observations, it does not seem to be fully utilized, especially considering the investment and routes in the area. On many days, the buses pass through the community, either empty or almost without passengers. The challenge faced by the residents of our region is whether the locals can obtain very basic goods and services, and these goods and services require them to travel long distances to obtain them. Gadabout is here to provide great services to our seniors and provide services that we may need to build. 

What would you deem your 3-5 top legislative priorities if you are elected? 

DD: Sometimes, when we focus on solving local problems, it's easy to forget that Tompkins County is part of a larger regional, national, and global community. I try to remember that the future of our county is closely related to the future of these communities. We face the same challenges: unreasonable and inflated financial and real estate markets, income and wealth inequality, staff shortages, supply chain difficulties, accelerating climate change, outdated power grids, and scarcity of key natural resources, just to name a few. Our legislation The agency cannot control or predict the course of these challenges, but we must plan for them.

My legislative priorities are all related to planning for the sustainability and resilience that our county and community need as they enter the unpredictable future. Specifically: 

What do you think is the role of District 10 in Tompkins County?

DD: District 10 is a traditional suburb of a larger county community. The area is fortunate to enjoy the many conveniences of urban life without many problems that plague "inner city" communities.

Compared with Cayuga Highland Village and Renwick Highland communities, Lansing Village is more economically and demographically diverse. A large proportion of residents in Lansing Village rent houses. This situation sometimes causes some NIMBY nervousness and strong opposition to "temporary renters". I urge my neighbors to remember that many of our residents are stable long-term tenants, and the monthly rent they pay supports our property tax base and income.

So far, do you agree with the results of reimagining public safety reforms at the county level? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen?

DD: Generally speaking, I support the county's RPS plan.

Although I appreciate the benefits of county/city cooperation in responding to Executive Order No. 203, the joint approach also has disadvantages. The controversial and widely misunderstood proposal to "reimagine" the IPD tends to focus the community debate almost exclusively on this topic. I have always been dissatisfied with discussions that confuse the staff of our Tompkins County Sheriff's Office with IPD. TCSO and IPD must cooperate and support each other, but I think their organizational culture is very different. (This is also one of the reasons why I strongly oppose the previous proposal of the two departments to "coexist".) The relationship between the county and TCSO is much more cooperative than the relationship between IPD and Ithaca. When we consider law enforcement reforms, we must tailor our debates and recommendations to the different cultures and circumstances of the two departments.

I think TCSO is seriously understaffed. On some shifts, we only have three patrol cars, each with only one deputy, serving the whole county! If someone goes out because of illness or disability, there are not many benches to fill the gap. Therefore, our deputies often work overtime. They are always tired and stressed. A stressed deputy is not a deputy who does his best. If we want better quality of law enforcement, we need efficient law enforcement personnel. To this end, we should solve the staffing level and working conditions, as well as deputy training and consulting issues.

During your tenure in the legislature, what topic have you most frustrated about? If this is an unresolved problem, what is the biggest obstacle to progress?

DD: Tasks without funds are the worst! ! For every dollar of property tax received by the county, 60 cents or more is used for mandatory services that the county cannot choose or control. Medicaid and social services are the largest of these, but New York State adds new services every year—increasing age, expanding eligibility for impoverished legal services, and early voting, to name a few. They are valuable initiatives, but they impose obligations that the county must pay. 

Medicaid is an annoyance for many in the legislature. New York is the only state that has reduced part of its Medicaid costs to its county. In 2021, Tompkins County will pay New York State more than $10 million a week to pay for Medicaid benefits paid to or on behalf of our residents. At the end of the year, Albany should reconcile our payments with the ACA-enhanced federal payments received, and then send us a "reconciliation" payment. To make matters worse, Albany lags behind in sending settlement payments for several years. According to the Freedom of Information Act response we received earlier this year, New York State owes Tompkins County about $3.5 million in reconciliation payments, and we don’t know when we will get this money!

The biggest obstacle to solving this problem is the New York State government. We continue to lobby and urge Albany to fund its authorized services. Of course we can use the grassroots support of citizens.

Tompkins County is generally considered the social service center of the area. Is the county doing enough to support people who come here for government help? What should they do more or less?

DD: Providing social services requires a delicate balance between needs and the resources available to meet those needs. Overall, I believe that Tompkins County has invested the greatest amount of resources to meet the needs of its residents.

In other words, it is very difficult to meet the demand for high-quality low-income housing. Compared with the cost of housing in Tompkins County, the rent subsidies required by the states and federal programs are ridiculously low; many landlords try to avoid accepting Housing Choice Voucher tenants; others accept payments but allow their property to be in disrepair and dilapidated . This is a very difficult problem to crack, and the situation may get worse after the moratorium expires.

Governor Hochul announced that New York State’s enhanced federal emergency lease assistance program funds will soon be used up and asked for more federal support, but there is no guarantee that it will come soon. If the landlord does not repay the rent, the supply of low-income housing will inevitably decrease. Eviction and homelessness will become bigger problems. The county has pledged to provide additional funding for early intervention homelessness prevention programs and various targeted support housing programs in 2022, and we should be prepared to take more measures when new needs arise.

Although I think it is not as prominent in Cayuga Heights as it is in Ithaca, what specific measures will you take to help alleviate the problem of affordable housing? Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime?

DD: Affordable housing is a perennial curse in Tompkins County. No matter when and where, there seems to be a reason why we cannot provide our residents with high-quality affordable housing. Student demand has always been a problem, but even as the supply of on-campus and purpose-built off-campus student housing increases, housing costs have not decreased. Supply and demand are the main drivers, but supply always seems to increase at the higher end of market interest rates (even with generous IDA incentives), and the "trickle down" effect is small. The city of Ithaca and suburban walkable areas still have high demand for houses and apartments, so prices are also high.

Of course, the pandemic has exacerbated this problem. It is always expensive to build here in our isolated central area. Tompkins County lacks sufficient local contractors, skilled construction workers, and professional subcontractors and workers. The cost of "importing" building materials is high. Labor shortages and supply chain issues will only get worse, even if the cost of existing homes soars. Someone told me that building a single-family home at a price of $200,000 or less is simply not economically feasible.

To be honest, I don't have any answers. I want to explore whether a public-private partnership is possible to develop high-quality labor housing in the pedestrian areas of our suburban villages.

And, by the way, affordable housing is a problem in Lansing Village.

Outside of your area, although you will represent these voters, what do you think are the most pressing issues facing the entire county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access (such as the Dryden Township plan)? 

DD: In my opinion, the survival problem we all face is climate change. At the county level, we are upgrading our facilities to improve energy efficiency, electrify our facilities, fleets, and operations, work hard to improve our ability to respond to more frequent and intense weather events, and lead our constituent cities in emergency response Responsiveness and resilience planning. I will legislate and advocate a plan to develop green workforce capabilities to support our transition to a fossil-free future.

We have a severe shortage of childcare services, which will hinder any effort to "rebuild better" economically. I look forward to seeing at least one strong childcare-related proposal for our Community Recovery Plan Fund next year.

The pandemic tells us that broadband is an essential service. Although the cost of general broadband across the county may exceed our county’s resources, I believe that the current efforts to determine which households lack broadband will help us work with ISPs to build systems to provide services to those in need.

Is transportation the biggest challenge facing the residents of Lansing Village/Cayuga Heights? Can public transportation be solved by pure resource increase, or do you recommend efficiency reforms within the current budget of TCAT?

DD: As a member of the TCAT Board of Directors, I can confidently say that the organization operates as efficiently as possible to meet the needs of the city, county, and university communities. "First mile, last mile" service is a long-standing problem, but the organization has launched an on-demand service pilot program "T-Connect" to meet the needs of rural riders in need. TCAT also retains consulting services to develop a transportation development plan to guide it through the next decade. 

By wisely using PPP loan proceeds, CARES Act funds, and Albany’s pre-pandemic level of state transportation operations assistance, TCAT has reduced ridership by more than 80% during the pandemic. I am happy to say that TCAT still has some federal stimulus funds to survive the next phase of the recovery, and the return of Cornell University and IC students has helped increase the number of passengers, although it has not yet returned to 2019 levels.

TCAT is facing and will continue to face the challenge of a full recovery. Staffing difficulties: Bus operators and mechanics are difficult to recruit. Supply chain issues have caused shortages of parts, making it difficult to maintain daily maintenance plans and keep all buses running. The current TCAT facilities are insufficient to meet the needs of the organization's employees and fleet, and the pandemic has put the relocation plan on hold indefinitely. At the same time, the facility requires a new roof, which will be a major expense. Finally, TCAT is transitioning its fleet to new and more expensive electric buses. So yes, in the near future, our underwriters (Ithaca City, Tompkins County and Cornell University) will need more financial support.

What would you deem your 3-5 top legislative priorities if re-elected? 

SB: The most important issue right now is to ensure that our community remains safe and healthy during the pandemic. Providing free testing for Tompkins County residents is very valuable to our community. The vaccination clinic was also very successful, helping Tompkins become the leader of the state.

Childcare in our community is also my top priority. There are three children, all of school age, and I personally have been working hard to find quality childcare services. Families need more quality and affordable options.

The pandemic has indeed magnified mental health and substance use disorders in our county. We continue to recruit mental health providers and discuss ways to solve these problems. After receiving settlement funds from pharmaceutical companies, we will be able to invest in harm reduction, detoxification and rehabilitation for those willing to participate in the coming year. 

What do you think is the role of District 11 in Tompkins County?

SB: District 11 includes parts of the Northeast Community, Forest House, East Highland, and Nanshan. We have a diverse range of homeowners and renters, students and working professionals.

So far, do you agree with the results of reimagining public safety reforms at the county level? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen?

SB: I believe that when we discuss reimagining public safety, it is essential to provide fairness in policing. We continue to work in the group to complete the entire process. I believe that better communication and participation between the Ithaca Police and the Sheriff’s Department will help this process. In order for this change to be successful, partnerships and collaboration are needed.

So far, what regrets do you have for the legislature? Do you think the legislature has done a bad job or cannot solve the problem effectively?

SB: We continue to work hard to find ways to help affordable housing. The real estate market is still a seller's market. We donate to the Community Housing Fund to help them obtain permanent housing.

Tompkins County is generally considered the social service center of the area. Is the county doing enough to support people who come here for government help? What should they do more or less?

SB: I believe we can always do more. We have a large number of homeless people-some of them choose to live on the streets, some do not. We are working hard to meet everyone's needs. Code Blue is now available through St. John's Shelter, providing shelter for those in need. We continue to provide services to those in need, and cooperate with institutions in our community that have close connections with different groups of people.

Although I think it’s not so prominent in some places outside of Ithaca, what specific steps would you take to help alleviate concerns about affordable housing? Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime?

SB: I think the Community Housing Fund is very effective. It allows a group of community partners to make donations and then decide which projects are worth investing in. Ithaca Neighborhood Housing also has some very good projects underway, which we will see in the next few years.

Outside of your area, although you will represent these voters, what do you think are the most pressing issues facing the entire county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access (such as the Dryden Township plan)? 

SB: The county has done a great job in green initiatives and is regarded as the leader of the state. We will invest in the next 4 years so that we will no longer use fossil fuels by 2025. We currently use solar and hydropower, and most of our fleet is electric vehicles.

Is transportation the biggest challenge facing the residents of District 11? Can public transportation be solved by pure resource increase, or do you recommend efficiency reforms within the current budget of TCAT?

SB: Transportation is a challenge everywhere. However, my area can usually be reliably accessed from Monday to Friday through the TCAT service. TCAT's fleet will continue to be electrified in the next 5 years. They can also get additional funding in the upcoming infrastructure and transportation bill, which will be voted on in the coming weeks.

What would you deem your 3-5 top legislative priorities if you are elected? 

AC: Climate change is still a top priority for me, which includes things in county operations, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing the use of plastics, and developing and promoting our environmentally friendly product procurement plan. Our county’s response to Covid-19 is still a large-scale operation that requires a lot of time and energy from the legislature and will become a key issue in the coming months and years. I also hope to continue to serve as the chairman of the Government Operation Committee to help our government operate smoothly. The focus of the committee is to convene our local independent redivision committee, update the legislature’s rules, and support the work of departments such as evaluation and the Tompkins County Public Library.

How do you see the role of Ithaca in Tompkins County?

AC: I think the town of Ithaca should and is a partner of Tompkins County. We cooperate on many things because what happens in one area affects what happens in another area.

So far, do you agree with the results of reimagining public safety reforms at the county level? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen?

AC: Reimagining the public safety initiative is a very good process. It is proposed by dedicated people who have put forward many excellent suggestions. I support these suggestions, and only hope that we can move toward change faster. What I want to see is the fuller participation of the public. There is an extensive, new, interactive website where people can add their thoughts, comments and suggestions. This process is now and will be an evolving and continuous process that will only work if many sounds are heard. 

Since you entered the legislature, has there been a particular issue that has made you feel the most frustrating to deal with? Is it because the solution seems to be in vain, or is it because the effort does not help?

AC: What surprised me when I entered the legislature was that the government moved so slowly. We may have great projects and excellent employees, but inevitably, things will be slower than people think. I now realize that this is because the people in the Tompkins County government think carefully about everything they do. Nothing is taken lightly or without consulting stakeholders. That kind of good government takes time. 

Tompkins County is generally considered the social service center of the area. Is the county doing enough to support people who come here for government help? What should they do more or less?

AC: The county government is fully responsible for the social services provided to the people of the county. We have an excellent social service department and work hard every day, but there is always more to do. Due to the limited funds available for each annual budget, the legislature must always weigh the various demands placed on our government. I am always happy to hear from the department that they have received grants or state funding!

Although I think this is a bit more serious than Ithaca (though I am not sure). What specific measures will you launch to help alleviate the problem of affordable housing? Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime?

AC: This is a big question, I don't have an answer. There are too many factors affecting the housing problem. From the living wage provided by the employer to the ongoing epidemic, none of them can be resolved easily or quickly. One response I support is the county’s community housing development fund, which subsidizes the construction of affordable housing. Involving more municipalities and organizations will definitely help. Other things can be done, such as lowering property taxes through more exemptions. We recently discussed possible exemptions for property owners, for those who set protective easements on their property. It is always helpful to reduce the tax burden of residents. 

Outside of your area, although you will represent these voters, what do you think are the most pressing issues facing the entire county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access (such as the Dryden Township plan)? 

AC: Your question hit the nail on the head. Issues such as climate change, childcare, broadband access, and of course continuing epidemics are all very urgent. Every day, county staff and legislators are paying attention to these issues and working hard to make our residents' lives better. Our most recent 2022 budget process looks at how we innovate and find new ways to solve these problems. Initiatives like our plan to achieve net-zero operations by 2030 and support the Child Development Committee to establish a plan to obtain childcare positions are a step in the right direction. 

Is transportation the biggest challenge faced by residents of Ithaca, or is it alleviated by being close to the city center? Can public transportation be solved by pure resource increase, or do you recommend efficiency reforms within the current budget of TCAT?

AC: Transportation is definitely a challenge for the residents of Ithaca. Of course, some areas can be walked to the city center, but Xishan, which I represent, is particularly lacking in services. Although I know that TCAT can use more resources, I think it would be a good idea to reimagine their current operations. I am not the one who suggests a panacea for any problem. We need to be open to all these issues facing Tompkins County residents and accept many ideas, plans, and suggestions. Let's try one thing; if this doesn't work, try the next one. People always encounter problems, let us think as much as possible, go all out, and move forward together. 

There is a quirk in this game. Technically, there are two candidates listed on the ballot paper: Greg Mezey, winner of the Democratic primary, and Samantha Lushtak on the work family vote. However, Lushtak lost to Mezey in the June primaries, when she said she would respect the result and would not challenge him in the general (and she has moved out of the area), and confirmed when contacting Voice of Ithaca Up to this point. Our questionnaire.

What would you deem your 3-5 top priorities if you are elected? 

GM: Recovery Fund-Ensure the successful implementation of the nearly $7 million Tompkins County Recovery Fund to support initiatives and organizations that can have a meaningful impact on our communities.

Housing-increase our local housing stock by respecting the various housing types that are characteristic of our local community, focusing on the choice of affordable housing so that everyone can afford life in Tompkins County.

Health and family services-improve the capacity and accessibility of affordable childcare services. Ensure that the residents of Tompkins County can get more nutritious food while supporting local agriculture.

Government efficiency-working hard to build a stronger and more efficient county government after the pandemic. Ensure effective government operations and plans, and provide everyone with first-class services that are financially responsible.

What do you think of Dryden's role in Tompkins County?

GM: One of the best parts of the campaign is meeting so many new people and having a deep understanding of the community you represent. As a community with high-quality communities and local businesses, Dryden can provide Earl Tompkins with a lot of things, and it also has huge potential for smart growth. Dryden has the potential to create sufficient labor and affordable housing to have a meaningful impact on the county’s housing shortage. We have an incredible alternative transportation and multi-purpose recreation trail, including Dryden Rail Trail. As the town continues to build this trail, it will connect Dryden with the rest of the county and contribute to a vibrant tourism economy. This trail is an incredible resource for our community and county.

Dryden has also taken bold steps to attract and support business and economic growth through its community development business loan program. Finally, in terms of Internet access, Dryden showed the direction of establishing a new municipal system that will provide cheaper, faster, and more reliable services. This project should serve as a model for how other cities and counties can address this critical infrastructure need in our community. I am proud to live in Dryden.

So far, do you agree to reimagine the results of public safety reforms? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen?

GM: I support the work done by cities and counties to reimagine public safety. This has been and needs to continue to be a collaborative process between community members, law enforcement agencies, and elected officials. The launch of a community feedback tool on the county’s reimagined website is an important step in keeping such collaborations at the forefront of this process. The implementation of this plan will take time, and it will require trials and adjustments to get the best solution for our community. I hope to see the plan continue to be implemented within a time frame that supports long-term change.

Tompkins County is generally considered the social service center of the area. Has the county government done enough to support those who come here for government help? What should they do more or less?

GM: We have some incredible non-profit organizations and public projects in Tompkins County, and they are working hard to support those in need. As a legislative body, we need to support and encourage these organizations and project personnel to think boldly and propose solutions to meet the challenges we face as a community, and ultimately find ways to fund these solutions. We must meet people where they are and support them when they need it. We need to continue to develop new plans and strategies to address the most difficult areas to change and cover people in every corner of the county. Some areas where more work is needed are housing, childcare, access to health care services, transportation, and labor development.

Although I think it is not as prominent in Dryden as Ithaca, what specific measures will you take to help ease concerns about affordable housing? Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime?

GM: Affordable housing is not just an Ithaca issue; it is an issue in Tompkins County that affects all of our communities. This is a challenging problem that needs to be solved, but I look forward to solving this problem. This will take several years to resolve, because it is mainly a shortage of supply and it takes time to build any new housing. The county has no land use control rights. It depends on the local municipality and requires a coordinated effort between the county and the local municipality to consolidate a strategy that respects the characteristics of our local community and increases the stock of various housing to satisfy the owners of Tompkins County Demand. Our local municipalities must critically review their zoning and develop strategies to invite the right type of housing development for their communities to solve our housing problems in the county. In addition, at the local and county levels, we need to continue to improve our infrastructure, water supply and sewer, broadband, and transportation to support the growth of various types of housing throughout the county.

Looking beyond Dryden, although you will represent these voters, what do you think are the most pressing issues facing the entire county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access (such as the Dryden Township plan)? 

GM: Yes, I believe the county can support many feasible solutions to these problems. I look forward to working with other legislators, members of our community, and staff in our county to develop and implement solutions to as many of these issues as possible. I think we have nearly $7 million in the Tompkins County Recovery Fund to support initiatives and organizations that can make a meaningful impact. This is a rare opportunity. We also need to critically examine our balance of funds to see if we can do more to fund many of these initiatives. We can do more to fund the increase in the capacity of local childcare facilities to increase the opportunities for families to use. We can also support the development of our workforce through job and skill training programs. By doing so, we can attract more employers and emerging industries to the county, creating new employment opportunities and development opportunities in our workforce. The aforementioned Dryden Broadband is a good example. The county should pay attention to this forward-looking system and consider expanding it.

What would you deem your 3-5 top legislative priorities if you are elected? 

What do you think is the role of District 14 in Tompkins County?

TC: East Dryden is a rural community with a cross-sectoral economy including agriculture, education and small businesses. Culturally and socially, it differs from its urban neighbor Ithaca. We are a modern and progressive community, striving to maintain its unique hometown characteristics and spirit. Dryden has the opportunity to become a new industrial and commercial hub. It is located in the Rte 13 corridor and is a natural location for storage, research, and small industries (including dairy products and food). We have abundant water sources, and it is possible to expand the scope of waste disposal in the village. Green development is the trend of the future, and we already have a wide range of solar energy and broadband services owned by new communities. Using TC3 as a valuable resource for training and innovation, we can keep the old essence while innovating.

So far, do you agree with the results of reimagining public safety reforms at the county level? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen?

TC: The process of reimagining public safety is conceptually flawed, and scientifically impossible.

It started with a dubious premise that Tompkins County is a racist community and needs to be completely reformed to get rid of white supremacy and preference. To this end, it hired an external consultant who held these views, and then proceeded to develop a report and self-defense plan. Completed during the Covid pandemic, it tried to gather opinions from the community in a variety of ways, but eventually interviewed and received opinions from the same group of activists (advisers acknowledged in the report). The opinions of professional public safety groups were deemed suspicious and adopted the solution preferred by the current Mayor of Ithaca.

The report demonized the police and provided no evidence that the sheriff and Ithaca police have not yet reviewed, improved, and implemented current training and policies. It is now implemented by a judicial center and is poorly integrated with the existing system. The entire plan and the current pressure of the City Hall to ignore crime makes Ithaca and surrounding areas more dangerous, uninhabitable and unattractive for both new and old residents. It does not serve the minority communities well and may actually make the situation worse in the end. Not a fan.

You will become a new member of the county council. What do you think you brought to your body that does not exist now? On what topics do you think you will be particularly influential?

TC: I am new here, but I was not born yesterday. I have many years of experience in the business world, and I am somewhat unique from this perspective of the board of directors. My job at the Tompkins Chamber of Commerce has allowed me to establish town/dress alliances to solve problems. I was born to go against the trend and question the rationality of the old and new plans. I would oppose increasing taxes when the county maintains too much reserves. I have a broad understanding of benefits and can assist in making affordable and attractive plans for our employees. I will be a minority, so I will not be constrained by group thinking and party loyalty.

Tompkins County is generally considered the social service center of the area. Is the county doing enough to support people who come here for government help? What should they do more or less?

TC: Tompkins is a regional center for some unique healthcare and social services. Some people seeking these resources have poor housing or are abandoned. We should be proud of being able to help those in need, but we should not become a wasteland of forgotten souls. Can we build a home for people who don't have a home? Integration after treatment is always a tricky thing, because some treatments fail. There is no simple solution, but this does not mean that we should ignore these problems. Do more, do less? Taking care of those who cannot take care of themselves is the definition of human nature.

Although I think it is not as prominent in town as it is in Ithaca, what specific measures will you take to help alleviate the problem of affordable housing? Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime?

TC: Tompkins is an attractive job market. Tompkins County employs more people than its houses. Thousands of people commute to Ithaca every day to work, and then return to their homes outside our country.

When housing prices stabilize, commuters will move in and prices will rise again. 35,000 students have few housing options and less commuting time. This is simple economics. The government-designed affordable housing solution has limited impact and provides few affordable units. In fact, it may create more market price units. Encouraging the construction of family and student housing outside of Ithaca and providing efficient transportation options will help ease the pressure, but if more public housing is not built, prices will rise. Tompkins needs to actively attract new businesses and provide better salaries and promotions; in order to organically solve the affordability crisis.

Outside of your area, although you will represent these voters, what do you think are the most pressing issues facing the entire county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access (such as the Dryden Township plan)? 

TC: Unlike most northern communities, Tompkins lacks economic diversity. The primary industry, education, needs buffers from other industries and business models. We are a factory city, sourcing raw materials worldwide, using modern manufacturing technology, and products distributed outside our region. This industry does not have to pay taxes to support the established government. Although we all benefit from this industry, we are not all suitable for its working space. Income gaps abound, and the integration of other businesses will make Tompkins more attractive to our children and families. It will help solve the problem of affordability, promote sustainability, and can organically produce affordable childcare. The idea that the government needs to solve all the problems means that the system has been broken. The lack of economic diversity is the most pressing problem in the county.

Is transportation the biggest challenge facing the residents of District 14? Can public transportation be solved by pure resource increase, or do you recommend efficiency reforms within the current budget of TCAT?

TC: TCAT is a great resource for Dryden. I cannot resolve budget constraints, but I will encourage the same level of service for our community. Transportation is a factor that makes Dryden livable and affordable, and it also helps reduce the affordability pressure in the Ithaca area. Dryden is indeed the bedroom community of Cornell University, so any budget shortage should be considered from this perspective. TCAT is an important resource of Cornell University, and its operating budget is equally supported by the county and city. Maybe that formula is out of date.

What would you deem your 3-5 top legislative priorities if you are elected (re-elected, obviously)?

ML: Recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. The county health bureau and medical services have done a great job, but we must contain the spread of the virus, get people back to work, reopen schools and businesses and keep them open.  

Maintain quality public safety. The sheriff’s road patrol team must have reasonable funds for personnel and equipment. The most important thing is to conduct adequate training to help deputies and corrections officers learn to resolve stress and dangerous situations. The idea of ​​"disinvesting the police" is unacceptable and will not be supported.

As Tompkins County grows, our transportation system needs to be upgraded, from highways and airports to electric buses. Attention must be paid to the Highway 13 corridor in Dryden. We need to advocate for safety improvements on the expressway, such as those proposed by the county’s Highway 13 corridor study. 

It is expensive to live in Tompkins County. We need common sense, affordable solutions to reduce taxes, while working across parties to provide quality services to residents.  

We must help TC3 recover from the decline in enrollment caused by the pandemic, while redesigning the curriculum and micro-certificates to better meet the needs of students.

Faced with the reality of climate change, we must support green initiatives, such as Tompkin’s first green airport in the country, and strive to achieve carbon neutrality in county buildings by 2030.

What do you think is the role of District 14 in Tompkins County?

ML: District 14 includes most of the eastern part of Dryden Town, including Dryden Village and Freeville Village. This is an important agricultural area, but there are more, including households and businesses, as well as manufacturing. It is the entrance to Tompkins County from the northeast along New York State Highway 13. Since the county is not directly connected to the interstate highway system, Route 13 is the lifeline of the county’s goods and services. It is a gateway for regional commuters, many of whom live in Cortland County and can find work here. The people in this area are well educated and active. They are usually at the forefront of opposing new measures such as hydraulic fracturing. This is a good place to live and raise a family. The area has excellent schools and is home to the TC3 campus. It is open to economic development, housing and growth companies.

So far, do you agree with the results of reimagining public safety reforms at the county level? What different approach would you take, and what would you like to see still happen?

ML: If the reforms provide our deputies with the necessary working tools to make their work better and more professional, then the answer is yes. Better protection and communication equipment, vehicles, etc. are necessary. Better training in all aspects of law enforcement, especially for highly emotional and potentially dangerous domestic violence incidents, can reduce the need to use force in confrontations. I do not support the concept of disinvesting the police, and the county government has not done so. Intercity cooperation with police from Ithaca and other cities is a good thing. This is not new; it has been part of law enforcement for many years. The idea of ​​crisis intervention professionals or teams is not new. This is a good thing and has been used, for example, in very difficult situations involving people with mental health problems. 

Do you think the legislature has failed on any particular issue during your tenure as a member (at least recently)? If so, what do you think is the biggest obstacle?

ML: I strongly support efforts to make it easier for people to vote and to ensure that their votes are of equal weight. In order to achieve the latter, we must re-divide the legislature after each national census. During 2020, the legislature failed to pass a proposal that I supported by a different vote (7 votes to 7 votes), which requires voters to approve a one-time change of the legislator’s term to two years (then revert to four years). The proposal is to give the county's independent redistricting committee time to redistribute legislative districts and allow candidates to run for new equal districts more quickly. As the vote failed, legislators will not serve in equal constituencies until 2026. Due to the county's population growth, the population growth of Ithaca and towns is the strongest, and the number of voters in these cities will be insufficient before this. That's not a good government. It’s sad to say, but I think the biggest obstacle here is that half of the current lawmakers voted against the proposal for personal gain because they really hope to have to participate in two elections in four years-this is a sad comment.

Tompkins County is generally considered the social service center of the area. Is the county doing enough to support people who come here for government help? What should they do more or less?

ML: All counties in New York are social service centers. This is their role. The county is a mechanism through which the state government can provide services to people in need without having to provide services to recipients through the state government office. Tompkins County also provides services for other human needs, such as mental health, public health, public safety, and emergency preparedness. If people come here and need help, our social services department and other agencies are ready to help. County-level employees have the largest number of employees in any department working in DSS. Services must comply with state regulations, but are provided to those in need without discrimination. In difficult times, applications for assistance will increase. If they do, the county must mobilize resources to support service delivery.

Although I think it is not as prominent in Dryden as it is in Ithaca, what specific measures will you take to help alleviate the problem of affordable housing? Why do you think this problem takes so long to solve, and it gets worse in the meantime?

ML: Actually, affordable housing has been a long-term problem in the urbanized areas of the county for decades. Although the cost of housing in the rural area where I live is slightly lower, there are many people who cannot afford the cost of living here. Because of this, we see more people living in neighboring counties where housing prices are cheaper and working here. As the city of Ithaca welcomes more high-rent properties, workers find fewer and fewer affordable places. What Tompkins County can do is to participate in housing funds with the city of Ithaca, Dryden and Ithaca and Cornell University to provide financial incentives for developers to build or renovate affordable housing. The county has been paying attention to this matter for a long time. With the increase in high-rent units, the situation gets worse. The rents of old properties have also risen. It is profit that drives most housing development. High-rent units are more profitable than affordable units, so developers must continue to seek and encourage interest in affordable housing

Outside of your area, although you will represent these voters, what do you think are the most pressing issues facing the entire county? Do you think there are county-level initiatives that can address climate change, lack of affordable childcare or broadband access (such as the Dryden Township plan)? 

ML: As a county legislator, I constantly weigh the needs of voters and the needs of the entire county. Recovering from the pandemic, keeping Covid transmission low, and encouraging schools and businesses to reopen safely must be our top priority. The county has established a recovery fund of $7 million from county reserves provided by federal funds. We will accept funding applications to help institutions and plans for Covid-related recovery. 

The county needs to encourage the creation of more daycare periods for families in need, and it needs to continue to focus on broadband access. We recently provided funding for the town of Newfield to help more than one hundred properties get high-speed broadband. There is no single, affordable solution that can meet all broadband needs. We must study them and work on solutions with towns.  

The county’s electricity demand is supplied by water power and solar panels; the airport’s geothermal heating and cooling; electric vehicles (more than 20 in the county) and electric buses (there are now 6 TCAT); and the county’s facilities will be carbon-free by 2035 The capital project is a good step to show the county’s commitment to slowing global warming. This is something we take seriously.   

Is transportation the biggest challenge facing the residents of District 14? Can public transportation be solved by pure resource increase, or do you recommend efficiency reforms within the current budget of TCAT?

ML: Traffic safety improvements on New York State Route 13 are critical because the traffic volume in Dryden continues to increase. The capacity issue must also be resolved. I support the availability of public transportation and TCAT bus services in Freeville and Dryden. TCAT focuses on expanding the number of passengers. I hope that residents can take advantage of the recent TCAT initiative to send residents into and out of their homes to use the bus route. We will never see everyone using the bus system, but the more we encourage, the fewer vehicles there will be on Route 13, and the stronger our bus system will be. Like any business, TCAT must always seek operational efficiency to save costs.  

Matt Butler is an education and public health reporter for Voice of Ithaca. He can be contacted by email to mbutler@ithacavoice.com More from Matt Butler

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