Supervisor
Ann Rider (Democratic, Community Values)
RELEVANT PERSONAL INFORMATION: I grew up on a farm near Trumansburg, and received a BS from CornellUniversity back in 1964. I taught home economics for three years in rural public schools, and served as a probation officer in SchuylerCounty for two years. I have worked for the Tompkins County Department of Social Services for 28 years as a Home Economist, Child Protective worker and Adult Protective worker. I have a daughter, Roberta, and two grandsons, Theo and Max.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE?: When Roy decided that he did not want to complete his term as Supervisor, I agreed to be appointed. It has been an interesting time and my 10 months experience in the position has been a learning curve which, I think, I have mastered pretty well.
I was very supportive of the Local Law to Effect a Prohibition of Natural Gas Petroleum Exploration and Extraction Activities in the Town of Enfield. During the first months of this year, I put much of my energies toward passing this Local Law which was enacted in June of this year. I am watching the Dryden court case closely to see if the State Appellate Court continues to uphold a Town’s right to determine land use. I was also supportive of Roy Barriere’s efforts to have an aquifer study done in Enfield by the USGS. I have continued this support by including funding in the 2014 Town budget to pay for the 3rd year of this 6 year study.
In my professional life, I have always been a “problem solver” and have had to pay attention to detail. I think my wide range of interests, intellectual curiosity, attention to detail and my ability to work with a variety of different personalities plus my 10 months of already being in the position makes me highly qualified to be your next Town Supervisor.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO TACKLE IN THE POSTION YOU ARE SEEKING?: Keeping the Town bills paid according to municipal rules and regulations, and planning for the future in our rural town
Marnie Kirchgessner (Enfield Forward)
RELEVANT PERSONAL INFORMATION: My children are seventh generation residents in of Tompkins County. I’m highly qualified having worked for the Town of Ithaca until my retirement.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE?: I work well with people and consider public service an honor.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO TACKLE IN THE POSITION YOU ARE SEEKING?: Balancing the need to increase Enfield’s tax base with development consistent with the community’s character.
Clerk
Alice Linton (Democratic, Republican)
Did not respond to request for information
Councilperson, Four-year term (Vote for 2)
Beth McGee (Democratic, Community Values)
RELEVANT PERSONAL INFORMATION: As a resident of Enfield for over 30 years, I hope to serve on the Enfield Town Board to build healthier communication with the community and within the departments of the Town.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE?: I value the input and ideas from all residents regarding ways to improve the way we do things in Enfield. My hope is to work as a community to take a serious look at how we hope to go forward as a town. We cannot maintain this cycle of rising costs and raising the burden on the taxpayer year after year. If we want to make Enfield strong, we have to get creative and welcome new ideas.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO TACKLE IN THE POSTION YOU ARE SEEKING?: We must be proactive about future residential, agricultural, and economic growth to build our tax base and ease the burden for taxpayers. We need more opportunities, such as the recent broadband expansion, that don’t impact the taxpayer, but enhance our quality of life and improve our offerings for economic development. Our rural way of life connects us all to this place. Protecting and preserving our water, air, and land is vital to keeping our town safe and strong.
Virginia Bryant (Democratic, Enfield United)
Did not respond to request for information
Councilperson, Two-year term (Vote for 1)
Michael Carpenter (Democratic, Community Values)
RELEVANT PERSONAL INFORMATION: I have been a resident of Enfield for 24 years. I am married with five grown children, all TompkinsCounty residents. I have been an active member and president of a number of local non-profit board of directors. More recently, I spent a year as the co-chair of the Enfield Planning Board. I have also been active in coaching youth soccer for 40 years, and still am active. I have worked as a remodeling and building contractor for over 40 years, and currently, I do construction consulting locally.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE?: My interest in the town board position stems from a desire to give to the community I live in, as well as a realization that everyone’s voice needs to be heard in order to keep our town moving forward, without leaving anyone behind.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO TACKLE IN THE POSTION YOU ARE SEEKING?: Our town, and the larger communities we live in, are all facing complex and far reaching problems that we have not had to deal with before. I hope I can help Enfield, at least, find solutions that will work for all our residents.
Highway Superintendent
Raymond Hubbell (Democratic, Enfield United)
RELEVANT PERSONAL INFORMATION: I am a lifelong resident of Enfield, and have lived on a town road for 40 years. I have 25 years of experience in operating all equipment related to civil construction and road building, and have the knowledge to work on maintain that equipment. I have worked heavy construction for 20+ years and have worked for Orchard Earth and Pipe for 17 years.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE?: I am knowledgeable of state and federal rules and regulations and reading blue prints. I have supervised a 6-man crew with particular attention to their safety. I have been looking for a job that does not take me away from my family. I have a large family and I need to be closer to home.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO TACKLE IN THE POSITION YOU ARE SEEKING?: I can be an effective Highway Superintendent working with the Town Board and residents to make our Town roads safe, passable in the winter and be mindful of the costs associated with maintaining the Town roads of Enfield.
Barry Rollins Sr. (Republican)
Did not respond to request for information
Justice (Vote for 2)
Betty Poole (Democratic, Republican)
Did not respond to request for information
Deborah Teeter (Democratic, Integrity Matters)
RELEVANT PERSONAL INFORMATION: I have extensive experience with financial record keeping and management from serving as treasurer for many boards and organizations over the past 25 years. I also have well-developed communication skills as a result of volunteering with many community groups and a professional background working with ethnically, culturally, and socially diverse populations. As a professional agricultural educator and as a current Town Board member, I have had many opportunities to read, interpret, communicate, and work within New YorkState law.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE?: For most of the 34 years I have lived in Enfield I have sought opportunities to serve my community. I have been or am a member of many service organizations in town. I have been interested in serving as Town Justice for many years, having watched the personal satisfaction my father found serving in that role while I was growing up. Justices positions rarely become available, and the timing for this works well for me as I am completing my term on the Town Board.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO TACKLE IN THE POSITION YOU ARE SEEKING?: I am not worried about learning and applying the law; I have sufficient education and professional experience to handle that. However, after observing Enfield Justice Poole’s court over the past few months, I realize knowing the law is only part of the position’s responsibility. Justice Poole is keenly aware of the typical circumstances of those who come before her, and with a few questions is able to discern specifics. She applies the law with a firm but fair hand, trying to make sure the punishment for the infraction in front of her does not result in a larger unintended consequence (loss of employment, for example). From my perspective, learning from Judge Poole’s extensive knowledge base will be the biggest challenge.
George Whitmore (Republican, Independence)
RELEVANT PERSONAL INFORMATION: I have been working in the law enforcement field for over 15 years. I have worked at IthacaCollege since 2004 for the Department of Public Safety. During that time, I have enforced New YorkState laws. I have also worked closely with the officers in my department and surrounding agencies. Prior to IthacaCollege, I was employed at GeorgeJuniorRepublic from 1998 to 2004.
I moved to central New York from Albany in 1996. I have lived in Enfield since 2006 with my wife, Robin, and we have five beautiful children. My wife is a stay-at-home mom who has lived in Ithaca for the past 27 years. I enjoy spending time with my family and playing sports.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE?: I want to serve my community that I live and raise my family in. I want to keep the tradition and reputation that the Enfield court has by Judge Poole and the late Judge Varricchichio. I want to continue the way I know how to hold people accountable for their actions.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO TACKLE IN THE POSITION YOU ARE SEEKING?: The biggest challenge for me is getting my name out there and having the people of Enfield to get to know me. It’s been rewarding to meet people, talk to them and have them realize that I’m the one for the job. I assure them I’ve always put 100% into my work and this job will be no different. This is my town to and it very important for me to represent it.
PROPOSAL NUMBER SEVEN, TOWN PROPOSITION NUMBER ONE:
Prop No. 1 – Whether the town of Enfield Town Board Resolution #2103-33 shall be approved by the voters to reduce the number of judges of the Town of Enfield Justice Court from two in number to one in number, effective December 31, 2013. Yes or No
