I want to be part of an effort that inspires our community to be actively engaged and focused on what we do have. I want to explore ways to get what we want affordably. Our community is tough as nails and resourceful. For generations, this area has braved the elements, survived the ups and downs and created a place we all love without being given anything. We made it happen because the area is full of great families and talented, hard-working people who paved the way for us to thrive.

It is up to the next generation to step up and meet the moment. We should tap into the amazingly talented people of the current generation who currently get things done. At the same time, we need to listen to the younger generation and use their energy and ideas to create the opportunities we all want for them.

Help me bring everyone together and figure it out before somebody else does it for us.

I will utilize my experience and ability to establish and achieve community goals through clear and open communication, strategic thinking and motivation.

• Deliver the Sewer Project and other Town projects effectively and affordably
• Increase communication and transparency through improved performance-based budget process and regular reporting of outcomes

I will build a strong foundation of mutual respect and trust to develop a shared vision for the future with our residents, businesses and the region.

• Complete a Community Strategic Plan
• Increase collaboration with existing and future community businesses
• Develop strong relationships with local and regional leaders

I commit to ensuring our community and its resources thrive for generations to come.

• Develop a strong sense of community and shared purpose that protects what we cherish while allowing us to grow in a way that does not compromise it
• Create additional recreational and personal development opportunities for all residents, with a focus on our youth

I am a married father of three adult children with a dog named Haley. I grew up on Beach Road in Brewerton and attended P.V. Moore High School until I dropped out in 11th grade. If I am remembered by my classmates for anything, it is for being “Least likely to succeed.” I eventually made a good decision when I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After being honorably discharged in 1992, I returned home as a man on a mission to a neighborhood taken over by urban sprawl and a local economy with no jobs.

Not seeing a future for myself in the area, I jumped on my Harley and headed cross-country to meet up with a fellow Marine in Long Beach, California. My first job was working on the street crew of a small city. Over the next 35 years, I had the opportunity to serve in several positions that exposed me to nearly every aspect of local government. During that time, I attended school at night, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

For the last 10 years of my career, I served as the General Manager of a mid-size water and sewer agency. As General Manager, I was responsible for 79 employees, a multimillion-dollar budget, and the delivery of safe drinking water and reliable sewer services to over 130,000 people. I am proud to say that I was the driving force behind the concept development, design and delivery of an 8-million-gallon-a-day wastewater treatment plant, countless infrastructure projects and community benefit programs.

My wife Marian and I purchased a home in Bernhards Bay in 2015 to expose the kids to the beauty of Upstate New York and to experience the amazing lifestyle only a small town full of people who care about each other can provide. Once the kids were off and running and I reached minimum retirement age, we escaped the craziness, congestion, and compression of California and moved home.

Since we moved back, we have tried to contribute to the community and make as many new friends as possible. You will see Marian stocking shelves at our beloved Buckingham’s Market, playing golf at North Shore, enjoying a fantastic glass of wine at Grace Tyler, at the North Riding rodeo, or enjoying a great conversation and the best fries in the area at the Sandbar. If she is not at any of those places, she might be at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) serving as the Auxiliary President. I just try to keep up with her and Haley while serving as the Senior Vice of the Constantia VFW, member of the Cleveland American Legion, member of the Vanderbilt Snowmobile Club, member of the Mason’s, member of the Zoning Committee, alternate member of the Planning Board, and member of the Sewer Committee for the past year.

I have realized that I am not very good at being retired. Like our dog, I am best behaved when we are tired and have a purpose. I would like nothing more than to share my talents and experiences in a way that benefits the place I live and love.