Councilperson (Vote for 2)
Katrina Binkewicz (Democratic, Lansing Lighthouse)
Did not respond to request for information
Gay Nicholson (Democratic, Lansing Lighthouse)
RELEVANT PERSONAL INFORMATION: Gay Nicholson has spent decades working on critical issues with dozens of partners from the neighborhood to the national level. She is a respected community leader known for her pioneering work in helping our community get informed about emerging green technologies and workforce opportunities, climate protection and public health, and community-owned food and energy systems.
Gay spent many years researching sustainable farming systems at Cornell, earning her doctorate in Horticulture, then served as a Research Associate in the university’s Program on Ethics and Public Life. As the executive director of the Finger Lakes Land Trust, she led the organization in becoming the premier force for land conservation in upstate NY. In 2004, Gay cofounded Sustainable Tompkins, a local nonprofit working toward a resilient local economy, healthy environment, and strong social fabric.
With a community organizer’s patience for building relationships, and a scientist’s drive for understanding how things are connected, Gay will bring important skills to Lansing’s Town Board during this time of transition.
Gay has lived in Ludlowville for 34 years, serving 8 years as the hamlet’s coordinator. She co-founded Lansing Trailways Committtee, Creek Kids, and Friends of Salt Point, served as co-chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee for the 1992 comprehensive plan, and represented Lansing on the countyEnvironmental Management Council. In all of these roles, Gay has demonstrated her capacity to get things done – raising funds, researching issues, organizing groups, and persuading officials. Through her service at county, state, and national levels, Gay has been a strong advocate for justice and stewardship. For Gay, living in a strong community is what real social security is all about!
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE?: Much of the work to protect our communities takes place at the local level. Elections for town and county positions will determine many aspects of your quality of life. Lansing Town Board candidate Gay Nicholson is a respected community leader known for her vision, clear thinking, and collaborative skills. Gay knows how to get things done – raising funds, researching issues, organizing groups, and persuading officials. If elected, Gay would work to help residents work together on “solution-finding” teams, guide development with careful whole-systems planning for the future, ban fracking to protect public health and quality of life, develop a climate adaptation plan for the town, seek resources for our transition to clean energy systems, and grow our tourism-related local economy.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO TACKLE IN THE POSITION YOU ARE SEEKING?: The Town of Lansing needs to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on the tax revenue from the coal power plant. A successful economic renaissance in Lansing will require leadership and vision from its elected officials, careful and practical planning, and greatly expanded participation by its citizens in the work of crafting a healthy and resilient future.
Doug Dake (Republican, Independence)
Did not respond to request for information
Robert Cree (Republican, Independence)
Did not respond to request for information
