Supervisor
Glenn Morey (Republican)
Did not respond to request for information
Clerk
April Scheffler (Republican)
Did not respond to request for information
Highway Superintendent
Richard Case Jr. (Republican)
Did not respond to request for information
Councilperson (Vote for 2)
Donald Scheffler (R)
Did not respond to request for information
Kelly Smith (Democratic, Groton)
RELEVANT PERSONAL INFORMATION: I’m a Groton native and graduate of Groton High School and Cornell University, where I earned a degree in Animal Science. I’ve almost always worked in library settings so information gathering is my specialty. After obtaining my Cornell degree, I left the community for 15 years but returned home 13 years ago to marry my husband and build our home. I have one son, a stepson and grandsons.
During my travels, I lived in the San Joaquin valley of California where I saw the effects of energy extraction on the community and the environment. It was unlike anything I had ever experience before, growing up in Central New York. I hope to never see it arrive in my home town.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE: One of the key factors in my decision to run is frustration at the current town board’s refusal to listen to the interests of the majority of their constituents and their apparent conflicts of interest regarding natural gas development. Groton is the only community in Tompkins County that does not currently have a ban or moratorium in place, that prohibits the development of Marcellus shale gas.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO TACKLE IN THE POSITION YOU ARE SEEKING?: The biggest challenge, should I be elected, will be working effectively with a board that will still be dominated by the current members, by a ratio of 60% to 40% if both Neil Snyder and I win.
Also, the residents of Groton are extremely dissatisfied with the current board so it will take time to rebuild trust in the town decision making process.
Neil Snyder (Democratic, Groton)
RELEVANT PERSONAL INFORMATION: I am in the grocery business, have 2 children and more than twenty years of experience dealing with people from all walks of life. For many years I was in the computer sales business, was a bonds broker/dealer, and have served Tompkins County in a variety of roles.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE: I am running for the Groton Town Board because the same group of people have controlled it for thirty years. The Town is now approximately 64% leased for hydraulic fracturing by about 6% of the residents of the town. While neighboring town boards have been willing to discuss the impact of gas drilling on their town members, the Town Board of Groton has steadfastly refused to even bring it up.
Their deliberations on all matters are held behind closed doors, with zero input from the town’s citizens. “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.”
One resident of the town has large gathering of people on his land and plays music that is loud enough to be heard from two miles away. I propose that a noise ordinance be enacted to prevent that music from being played that loud.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO TACKLE IN THE POSITION YOU ARE SEEKING?: The biggest challenge to tackle in the position that I am seeking will be to get voters to the polls in an off-year election. The second challenge would be to get the other 60% of the board to work together if Kelly Smith and I are successful in gaining the seats.
Ellard Sovocool (R)
Did not respond to request for information
