GUEST COLUMN

Schiebel a steadfast local leader

Another election season for local government officials is just around the corner. To the Friends of Keith Schiebel, village, town and city residents, and supporters of honest, friendly and accountable government, I announce my candidacy for a second term as Oneida County Legislator and respectfully request your vote of confidence.

With your help, I seek to keep alive my political success of never losing a public election or being voted out of public office.

In serving the towns of Vernon and Verona, villages of Vernon and Oneida Castle, and City of Sherrill, it has been a pleasure to work and partner with your local leaders on numerous occasions.

Be it preserving county funding for Verona Fire Department, prioritizing replacement of Houck Road bridge, creating resolutions to state officials in support of Vernon Downs, or initiating meetings with state and local officials to pursue economic development grants, my record of involvement is substantial. I am not one to sit on the sidelines and tell others what to do, but instead someone who listens, connects the dots of opportunities, and takes action on local issues within my purview.

By way of a couple of examples, I recently assisted initiating meetings between the Town of Verona and Mohawk Valley EDGE in support of economic development off Route 365. At a county shared services meeting, in partnership with Oneida Castle Major Deschamps, we’ve begun discussions to create more efficient lighting districts using LED lighting.

And in the Town of Vernon, I helped town officials to pursue the long process of secur- ing grants and funding to extend the water district to Vernon Center. Whether working with town boards, the city commission, or village trustees, I have been readily accessible and willing to assist in my capacity as county legislator. And although today’s political climate is filled with rhetoric and constant attacks, I stand by my actions.

While serving as Oneida County Legislator, I have kept “my day job” as agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School.

Although challenging at times to meet the expectations and demands of both positions, nonetheless, I plan to continue to balance the parttime county position with my duties to serve the agriculture youth and community of VVS. Now that this is clear, on to other realities.

In March, I sent formal letters to the Town of Vernon and Verona Republican Committees and county Independence and Conservative parties expressing my interest to seek their respective endorsements.

After reviewing my credentials and interviewing with committee representatives, I amhonored to be endorsed by both town Republican Committees and the county Independence Party. I am grateful for their vote of approval and confidence in my abilities.

However, for whatever reason, the county’s Conservative party did not grant me an interview, nor even return a phone call. As a result, I have sought the support of local Conservative friends to create a primary election for the Conservative party. Call me old fashioned, but I feel the Conservatives of District 1 and those who know me best should have a voice in who appears on the Conservative line in November. On Sept. 12, Conservative voters only will have an “opportunity to ballot” primary.

In the very short two years of my first term, my legislative work has been extensive. From bridges, roads and highway maintenance contracts, to job preservation, holding the line on property taxes, and seeking funding for water and economic development projects, our work with local officials and constituents has just begun.

If I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting you in person, my apologies.

Please feel free to contact me directly at (315) 335-0887 should you have comments, concerns or just want to encourage our campaign. As always, thank you for your support.

InMarch, I sent formal letters to the Town of Vernon andVerona Republican Committees and county Independence and Conservative parties expressing my interest to seek their respective endorsements.