Three vie for two seats in N. Syracuse

On June 20, residents of the village of North Syracuse will head to the polls to elect a mayor and two trustees.

Mayor Gary Butterfield is running unopposed for his third term as mayor. He was first elected mayor 2015. Butterfield also served as a trustee for the village from July 2005 thru June 2015.

Buttefield has been a village resident since 1977 and a business-owner in the village since 1983. Gary lives on Chestnut Street with his wife Maureen. They have a daughter Jodi, and son, Aaron.

There are three candidates for the two open trustee positions, as incumbents Patricia Gustafson and Fred Wilmer will see a challenge in newcomer John Bolton. Brief profiles of the three candidates are below.

Polls are open from noon to 9 p.m. at the North Syracuse Community Center, 700 South Bay Rd, North Syracuse

Patricia Gustafson

Democrat, Good Neighbors

Patricia Gustafson, a 37-year resident of North Syracuse, has three children and four grandchildren. She is a graduate of Crouse Hospital School of Nursing, and is a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church.

Gustafson was a nurse for 30 years for the North Syracuse Central School District – 16 years for St. Rose of Lima School and 14 years for Gillette Road Middle School; she retired in 2013. She is a member of the North Syracuse Democrats, a member of the North Syracuse Lionesses, and a member of the North Syracuse Family Festival, a former member of the North Syracuse Planning Board, and was chosen the Volunteer of the Year in 2012 for the North Area Athletic and Education Center.

Gustafson was first elected to the North Syracuse Village Board of Trustees in 2021 to fill the remainder of Diane Browning’s term. She currently serves as deputy mayor. Gustafson looks forward to making a difference by serving the residents of the community where she has worked and resides.

John Bolton republican

John Bolton and his wife have lived in North Syracuse for more than 20 years. He is retired from Home Depot after more than 20 years, where he was the district merchandising manager covering the nine CNY stores. Bolton is a member of the Police Reform Committee and is active in village politics. Bolton said he is running to be a part of helping the village of North Syracuse, continuing its growth and maintaining “a wonderful environment we all can enjoy.”

Bolton stated he would pursue development along Route 11 and South Bay Road as a way to increase the tax base, and would “vigorously partner” with elected officials at the state and county level who provide significant funding for the village.

He also stated he would be accessible to all residents and “will help maintain fiscal responsibility in all departments.”

Fred Wilmer republican

Fred Wilmer has been a life-long resident of North Syracuse, and a homeowner in the Village of North Syracuse with his wife Crystal since 1982. His kids are his pets, 2 dogs and 2 cats.