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PENNY SAVER: CNY’S BEST BUSINESS SERVICE DIRECTORY INSIDE!
Week of Oct. 25, 2023 Home of The Harbold Family
WORK BUY SELL TRADE GET IT DONE
eLECTION dAY IS nOV. 7 Bowing out on Brow
Developers withdraw plan to build Meet the Cicero candidates; next week: meet the Clay, Salina candidates four townhouses at 103 Vine St.
The Star Review sent a questionnaire to the candidates running in the town of Cicero election. Below are their responses.
Town Supervisor
Michael Aregano (unopposed) Republican, Conservative What makes you the ideal candidate?
My 21 years of dedicated service as a Cicero police officer, followed by my two-year tenure as supervisor, uniquely position me as the ideal candidate due to my deep-rooted knowledge of our community and its specific needs. I’ve successfully resolved many of the longstanding drainage issues that have plagued our town for years. We’ve also assumed responsibility for brush collection, offering residents the convenience of compost pickup at the highway department. I built strong relationships with neighboring municipalities and local governments, I continue to work on addressing our traffic concerns in collaboration with the New York State DOT.
Why are you running for this position?
I am seeking re-election as Town Supervisor to continue fostering the positive growth of our community, and to uphold my unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for our residents.
What are the most important issues the community is facing and what would you do about them?
The imminent construction of a Micron chip fabrication facility within one-mile of the town of Cicero raises concerns about increased traffic, population growth, and development in our area. We find ourselves in the midst of a comprehensive planning initiative known as “Vision Cicero,” aimed at charting the town’s future course. This effort not only enables Cicero to prepare for the anticipated changes but also encompasses necessary updates to local codes and regulations. In addition, we are nearing the final stages of the much-anticipated Brewerton Revitalization project, a 15-year endeavor. This project promises to rejuvenate the Brewerton Hamlet, with construction scheduled to begin in the spring of 2024. Furthermore, we have established a strong collaborative partnership with the town of Hastings, pursuing a Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant worth $10 million. This joint endeavor is aimed at delivering significant advantages to both of our communities.
Town Councilor (vote for 2)
Michael J. Becallo (incumbent) Republican, Conservative
What makes you the ideal candidate? I am currently a Cicero Town Councilor, and have been elected two times by the Cicero voters..I’m: 39 years old, married to Nicole Casamento and a 34-year Cicero resident. BA, communication and information sciences, University of Alabama; MS, sports administration, Canisius College. Certificate of Health Information Technology, Weill Cornell Medical College. Employed in the healthcare information technology field. Volunteer firefighter. Business owner. Member, Onondaga County Fire Board; past member, Onondaga County Office of Aging Board.
Recipient for the “40 Under 40” Award from CNY Business Journal: Influential young business leader of 2015 Leadership Greater Syracuse, 2021. Volunteer with the Cicero Little League, North Syracuse Little League, Cicero Falcons football, local Scout Troops, North Syracuse School events, and various church groups.
Why are you running for this position?
Four years ago, when I last ran for town councilor, I promised you that I would fight to: Reduce town spending, reduce town taxes, reduce town borrowing, fix the roads, improve drainage, stop pay-to-pay, and stop over-development. I have kept my promises to you. As your Cicero Town Councilor, I: -Voted “No” to over 17 Million Dollars in Increased Town Spending. -Voted “No” to over 10 million dollars in increased town taxes. -Voted “No” to over 10 million dollars in increased town borrowing. - Have never voted to exceed the NYS 2% tax cap. - Took a pay cut and never voted to increase my salary. -Fought against increased fees for permits. -Fought against draconian laws in Cicero. -Advocated for residents’ property rights. -Opposed improperly increasing property assessments. -Increased road paving by double. -Increased the amount of drainage projects. -Instituted “Public Input” at town board meetings before the board votes on agenda Items. -Advocated for our local first-responders. But voting is only one of my duties as a Town Councilor. I also: -Cut down overgrown weeds and vegetation to improve driver visibility. -Clear trash on the roadside and under bridges on Rt. 31, Rt. 81, and Rt. 481. -Hold monthly office hours to meet with town residents. -Communicate with and meet town residents through-out the year, not just election time. -Go door-to-door to meet town residents and listen to their concerns. -Volunteer weekly at community events. I will continue to fight for Cicero taxpayers, continue to work to lower taxes, further repair our roads, further reduce traffic congestion, and continue to listen to Cicero residents.
What are the most important issues the community is facing and what would you do about them?
The residents have identified taxes, roads, drainage and traffic as the most important issues in our community. I will continue to be the “go-to” board member to respond to resident drainage and road concerns. I am very pleased as we have been able to pave over double the amount of roads and increase the amount of completed drainage projects during my term. This has all been accomplished while staying under the 2% tax cap the last two years. I will continue to be involved in the MICRON project located in Clay. This will ensure Cicero is not overlooked in the process. I will advocate for town residents needs by working with local, state and federal partners. We are working on a town comprehensive plan, with community feedback that outlines a framework and vision for the future of our town.
Ashley M. Hogan
Republican, Conservative
What makes you the ideal candidate?
As the only candidate in this race with school-age children, and as a working mother, I understand the struggles that many of today’s families face as prices rise much
faster than wages, and as every trip to the store costs more for the same amount of groceries. That’s why it’s so important to me to work with the other councilors and the Town department heads to ensure that we are getting the best value out of the taxpayers’ dollars. In my adult life, I have been a pharmaceutical sales representative, a critical care nurse, a stay-at-home mom, and I am now a territory manager for a medical device manufacturer. In these roles I worked with and got to know a broad and diverse range of people. These experiences have led to me having a strong ability to see things from others’ perspectives, which has in turn resulted in me being able to bring people with different viewpoints and positions together to come to a consensus.
Why are you running for this position?
My family has planted its roots in Cicero and it’s important to me to have a voice in shaping the community in which my children are growing up. People tend to pay more attention to what happens in Washington or Albany than in their own town hall, but local government has a far greater impact on our day-to-day lives than the “higher” levels. I want to play a role in my children being raised in a strong, vibrant, safe community.
What are the most important issues the community is facing and what would you do about them?
Cicero’s biggest challenge is the same as other towns – providing services in a time when prices are going up faster than wages, and families are feeling the squeeze. As a town councilor, I will fight to keep town spending down and taxes low. I will take a hard look at the entire budget, and use my background in finance to help improve efficiency, reduce waste, and get more for our residents’ tax dollars. Obviously, the coming Micron project is poised to have a transformative impact on Cicero and the surrounding area. While we know Micron is coming, details about when or about what exactly is going to happen have been scant. Without knowing when or how fast it will be built, or what improvements for traffic and other infrastructure are being considered by the state for the area, it is difficult to plan for it. Fortunately, the current town board not only secured funding from the County for a new comprehensive plan, but it also convened a citizen’s advisory committee to assist with its preparation. It’s still in the early stages, but I look forward to being an active participant in that process.
By Russ Tarby Contributing Writer Brow Street residents are breathing a sigh of relief this week after developers withdrew their application to the village planning board which could have led to the construction of four twofamily townhouses at the corner of Vine Street. The planning board had conducted public hearings in August and September about a plan to build duplexes at 103 Vine St. Developer Michael Dougherty of Park & Vine Holdings and Taber Rowlee of the Rowlee Construction Company presented their plan to the board in August, but after hearing several neighbors speak in opposition, failed to return to appear again before the board in September. Last week, the village received word that their application had been withdrawn, according to Deputy Village Clerk Sandra Callahan. At the public hearing in August several Brow Street neighbors expressed doubts about locating eight rental units there. Their concerns ranged from traffic to parking to garbage. At the Sept. 25 public hearing, board Chairman Bob Bradt read from the 2006 village comprehensive plan which warned against adding multi-family units in that neighborhood while advising against projects that could increase traffic. Eight Brow Street residents from attended the continuation of the public hearing and four of them reiterated their opposition to the duplexes.
Trustees take first step
Approve county conducting village elections possibly in November By Russ Tarby Contributing Writer At its Oct. 16 meeting, the Village of Liverpool Board of Trustees voted in favor of a resolution providing that village elections will be conducted by the Onondaga County Board of Elections. The board’s three new Democrats – Mayor Stacy Finney and trustees Melissa Cassidy and Rachel Ciotti – voted to approve the resolution while Republican Trustee Mike LaMontagne opposed it. His fellow Republican, Trustee Matt Devendorf, was absent from Monday’s meeting. The resolution is the first step toward changing the date of village elections from June to November. If and when the trustees adopt a resolution to change the election date, that proposal would be subject to a mandatory referendum. In order for the 2024 village election to be conducted in November, the resolution must be adopted six full months prior to the 2024 primary election set for June 25. The trustees are considering approval of the date change by Dec. 25. Trustees l Page 15
Welcoming Whitestone
Route 57 kickball fields to be replaced by multi-use development By Russ Tarby Contributing Writer
Joan Kesel Democrat
What makes you the ideal candidate? My prior tenure as elected Cicero Town S u p e r v i s o r, membership in the Town of Cicero Board of Assessment Review, and in the Town of Cicero Zoning Board of Appeals all imminently qualify me for the position of councilor, as I have explicit experience in the role. I know Cicero well and need no orientation to issues facing our community. My involvement as contributing board member includes the CNY Girl Scouts Council, North Area Meals on Wheels and the Northern Onondaga Public Library further contributed to a wider appreciation of the needs and challenges in Cicero. Our town of Cicero is on the cusp of major changes facing us in the coming years and my experience in town government, plus my lifetime of living here, all contribute to my qualifications to
Cicero l Page 2
The town of Salina government has paved the way for a an elite East Coast development firm to follow up its proposal to build an apartment complex plus retail outlets along Route 57, just north of the village of Liverpool. The 37-acre site at 7192 Oswego Road is currently home to the Kickball Park which features six ball fields operated by the Syracuse Sports Association. The town board recently designated the proposal for that property by Whitestone Development Partners as a planned unit development. “That’s a type of zoning which allows for mixed uses of that site,” said Town Supervisor Nick Paro. Whitestone is proposing 200-plus apartment units along with four commercial property sites for development. “Those will either be hotels, retail, offices or restaurants,” Paro suggested. The town’s zoning-planning board will evaluate Whitestone’s site plan and must approve it sometime before construction can begin. Last year, the town board combined its zoning and planning boards. “It’s a more efficient process now,” Paro said, “and it’s saving the taxpayer thousands of dollars a year.” Whitestone Development Partners has offices in Florida, North Carolina and in nearby Pittsford. Whitestone is a full-service real estate development firm Whitestone l Page 15
Volume 131, Number 43 The Star-Review is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206. Periodical Postage Paid at Syracuse, NY 13220, USPS 316060. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Star-Review, 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206.
cnyspca pet of the week: It’s Miller time!
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sports news: C-NS, Liverpool football both win.
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PennySaver ���������������� 8
letters ������������������������ 7
Sports ����������������������� 14
Obituaries ������������������ 7