Supervisor
Elizabeth Thomas (Democratic)
RELEVANT PERSONAL INFORMATION: After having lived elsewhere for many years, I had the opportunity to move back home to the Ithaca area in 1995 to settle with my husband Robert and the many children we have raised. For 15 years, I was a crop consultant for fruit growers near Lake Ontario and used the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to help reduce the use of pesticides in that region. After moving back to the Town of Ulysses, I worked for Cornell on a regional IPM project funding research and creating a more accessible network of IPM information.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE? I have been involved in committees for the town since 2005 primarily as a part of the Comprehensive Planning Committee. In 2007, I ran for a seat on the Town Board and in 2011 was appointed as Deputy Supervisor. When the Town Supervisor stepped down this spring, I was appointed to fill her position. I have a good grasp of the requirements of this position and enjoy the people I work with and interacting with the public.
Since 2009, a huge amount of my personal and public life has been spent on fighting the blanket welcome that some states have given to the process of extracting natural gas through hydrofracking. I feel strongly that this industry (and all industries) should be held to the same standards of federal environmental regulations, rather than enjoying unilateral exemptions to laws that were passed to protect air and water quality. If the oil and gas industry were to be accountable for the environmental degradation they cause, and required to use techniques that would avoid contamination of water and air, the price of natural gas would no longer be artificially low, as it is now, making renewable sources of energy more competitive.
I am working, and will continue to work, on helping residents in Ulysses and Tompkins County to become more energy efficient, and offer ways for individuals to contribute to the change to cleaner energy sources.
Hydrofracking is my biggest concern, but other topics that rate high on my list are managing the challenging financial times local governments are in, while also looking at ways to provide services the community desires. I’ve been looking at ways to work with other governments, schools, and non-profits to determine the feasibility of a community center and/or swimming pool. Having and promoting recreational opportunities not only creates a healthier community, but a more cohesive one that is attractive to tourists and those who might consider settling in this area.
I see potential to improve efficiency and services in so many areas and the major limiting factor–time! My family knows, I put in every minute I can spare to benefit the town.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO TACKLE IN THE POSITION YOU ARE SEEKING? One of my first projects when I was elected was to completely redesign and populate the website to provide more information to the public. Since the town had no listserv or newsletter, I also initiated my own newsletter to keep people on my personal listserv aware of town activities. My challenge continues to be opening the process in order for people to understand the topics before the Town Board and provide opportunities for residents to participate in the process. Ours is a representational government, that is, the public votes on representatives who they trust will listen and vote in ways they support. I make every attempt to invite residents to comment, write, call, or visit Town Hall to more fully understand the intricacies of each subject before the Board.
The Town of Ulysses takes the lead on many initiatives that benefit not only the local population, the the county as a whole. Unfortunately I have nearly no administrative support leaving me to deal with tasks that take away from the time that should be spent on interacting with other governments, doing basic research on topics and developing answers. Without proper administrative support, my effectiveness is hobbled simply by running out of time to do all that needs to be attended to.
Clerk
Marsha Georgia (Republican)
Did not respond to request for information
Carissa Parlato (Democratic)
RELEVANT PERSONAL INFORMATION: I have been active in the community since I made Ulysses my home 10 years ago, working out of the town hall through Trumansburg/Ulysses Youth Services, writing the Ulysses Town Talk column each week in the Ithaca Journal, and volunteering with the Ulysses Christmas Bureau for 3 years. I am passionate about doing my part to continue to make Ulysses a great place to live. I have a small business making jewelry. My career has been spent working with people, in often challenging situations, and I am skilled at, and love working with databases, so this job is a good match for me.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE?: I have past experience working with some of the current elected officials. They know my skill-set and that I that I work well as part of a team. I have the endorsement of the current town board and supervisor, as well as past board members who know firsthand why and what changes are needed in the clerk’s office. The reports I have received tell that for several years the board and clerk have not had a very cooperative working relationship, and this has created inefficiencies in town business. I will apply my skills to helping the board be more productive, as well as updating the office for all residents- those who prefer to get information and services online and those who want to come see me in the office.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO TACKLE IN THE POSITION YOU ARE SEEKING?: Many people are not aware of several aspects of the clerk’s office, and there are issues that have affected the town’s ability to function at its best. The town supervisor currently writes the town newsletter, but that could be a task of the clerk. This election is an opportunity for a cohesive team to make town business more cost-effective, efficient, and accessible.
Highway Superintendent
James Meeker (Democratic, Republican)
Did not respond to request for information
Councilperson, Four-year term (Vote for 2):
George Breuhaus (Ulysses Community)
Relevant Personal Information: I was born and raised in East Aurora, New York which is a small town southeast of Buffalo, New York. I graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1975 with a degree in architecture. I have been a licensed architect since 1978, and started my own firm, George W. Breuhaus, Architect, in Ithaca in 1989. I have been the “first” employee for a number of local successful firms. In 1991, I bought land in Ulysses. In 1995, I designed and built the house where my wife, Beth, and two daughters, currently reside. I have been an active member in the Ithaca Yacht Club and have served as Commodore in 1991. Needless to say I have spent countless hours on the lake and well appreciate its natural beauty and power. I have also served on the Board of Directors of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce.
Why are you running for office: I am running for office to offer a perspective sadly lacking from the current Town Council. The current Town Council is comprised primarily of privileged dilettantes who are out of touch with traditional Ulysses values. They are espousing more regulations and stricter control of personal property– supposedly in the name of environmental sustainability.
On the contrary, they have, in fact, ignored the continual discharges of raw sewage from the Trumansburg Sewage Treatment plant. In fact, the e-coli discharges have been measured to be 270 times greater than the EPA allows for a public waterway. Astonishingly, there has been no attempt to assist the Village of Trumansburg to secure grants and funding to correct this problem. Instead, the Town Council has been largely silent about this problem. Meanwhile, however, they have had no problem spending taxpayer money involving themselves in lawsuits regarding extraneous issues in other neighboring municipalities.
Ulysses residents have overwhelming asked the Council to explain the compelling need for the proposed new and costly zoning changes. But such central issues and concerns are routinely ignored. Even worse, the Town Council has stacked zoning advisory committees with people who have clear conflicts of interest.
The motto of the Town Council seems to be “do as I say, not as I do”. The hypocrisy is palpable!
I am running to provide an alternative perspective based on the importance of personal property rights. Furthermore, if these new restrictive and costly regulations are enacted, they will require hiring increased Town personnel to enforce these burdensome regulations — resulting in higher taxes for ALL Ulysses residents.
What is the biggest Challenge facing Ulysses: The Town of Ulysses Town Council has been controlled by one political party for over 15 years. It is never healthy for democracy when competing ideas are silenced or shunted aside by a governing authority. The consensus reached from the public discussion of competing ideas is acceptable to many more residents than the decree from a “select” few. As Ulysses prepares for the future, it will need to strike a balance between protecting its natural beauty and allowing for future development by more than the privileged few. The Town needs to be governed by common sense, not a one party rule that inevitably leads to conflicts of interest and other political corruption.
Richard Goldman (Democratic)
Relevant Personal Information I am a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley. I live with my wife, Shirley, and my two step-children, Gabe and Elena. I have two children who went to the Trumansburg Schools, Ariel and Mia. I’ve lived in the area since I went to Cornell in 1968.
Why are You Running For Office?: I am running so I can have a voice in maintaining the pristine beauty of our natural surroundings which means I want to make sure fracking stays out of our town.
What is the Biggest Challenge to Tackle in the Position You are Seeking?: As a businessman I am also aware of the need for appropriate business development as well as fiscal responsibility
Nancy Zahler (Democratic)
RELEVANT PERSONAL INFORMATION: I have lived in Ulysses for 25 years with my partner Judy Barringer. In the 30 years I worked as Director of Youth Services for Tompkins County, I worked with all town and village governments in Tompkins County and helped broker bi-partisan, intermunicipal partnerships to meet youth needs. I have experience in countywide and community-specific needs assessment, planning, program development, budgeting, and priority setting that will be directly relevant as a Ulysses Town Board member. As an organizer for the Ulysses Christmas Bureau for 20 years, I have also gotten to know some of the neediest families in the town as well as an amazing array of generous individuals, groups, businesses and organizations.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE?: I am passionate about public service. I have always volunteered in my community; I have made a career of public administration; and after I retired, was appointed to the Ulysses Town Board in April 2013. I have seen and understand the ways in which local government can affect the quality of life for local residents and I want to use my skills and experience to protect our environment, maintain our prevention investments in roads and young people, and help to promote both farming and local, sustainable businesses to assure a healthy economy. I want to use my networking and collaboration skills to bring people together within communities and across their differences to tackle the challenges that confront our Town and to build a strong, involved community.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO TACKLE IN THE POSITION YOU ARE SEEKING?: When people are so disillusioned with government at our state and national levels, it is often difficult to engage them locally where they CAN make a positive difference. The biggest challenge for me and other elected officials is striving to balance the services needed for the greater good without creating undue hardships for hardworking taxpayers. Thoughtful planning and careful stewardship is what I pkan to bring to the challenges of land use planning, environmental protection, historic preservation, agricultural protection, and local economic development that is consistent with our town’s rural character.
Councilperson, Two-year term (Vote for 1):
John Hertzler (Democratic)
Did not respond to request for information
Beth Warner (Ulysses Community)
Relevant Personal Information: I was born and raised in Buffalo and have been a resident of Upstate New York all of my life. My husband George and I have owned property in Ulysses since 1991, and are raising our 2 daughters in the home we had built. I received a Master’s degree in Architecture and have worked in the profession for over 30 years. Architecture involves many different aspects: working with clients of differing backgrounds and needs, problem solving by finding several solutions for a particular problem, interpreting building and zoning codes, creating a set of drawings for construction, creating budgets, and working with contractors during construction. Several of the steps involved give me the experience required for this position. Currently my husband and I run our own business.
Why are you running for office: Like many people, we chose to live in the Town of Ulysses because of its rural character and laissez-faire attitude. The attitude seems to be changing; many residents are dissatisfied with the direction of the current Town Board. Since one party has been unchallenged for so long, they feel they have a mandate to impose their view of the issues. We feel strongly that government needs to listen and respond to the people. This all starts at the local level; hopefully the message will work its way up to the State and Federal level as well.
What is the biggest challenge: Finding the right balance. We need to create a balance that will keep the rural character of the community, but not at the detriment of our tax base or future development. We want to be environmentally sensitive, but not to the extreme of the Town dictating what size or type of tree we can cut down on our own property. The Town will continue to be off balance until we elect people that look at issues from different perspectives. The public needs to demand that common sense be restored to government.
