Rocco deserves to be supervisor

I strongly support Rocky DiVeronica for Lenox Supervisior. Rocky cares about the people and always kept the taxes down; since he left office taxes have increased. This position needs a full time man not part time and Rocky is the man, he knows the town how to get grants. Let’s reelect Rocky. Also as I read in a letter to the editor about taking money out of his pocket, let’s not forget how much DiVeronica Brothers gave to this community.

Richard Bennett, Canastota

Re-elect Pinard to lead Lenox

To the residents of the Town of Lenox,

My name is Lori Brockway and as a trustee and resident of the Village of Wampsville, I am supporting Supervisor John Pinard for reelection. Having worked closely with John for the past four years, it is my humble opinion that our current supervisor has the best interest of the Town of Lenox. Before Supervisor Pinard’s election into office, the Town of Lenox and the Village of Wampsville worked as two separate entities with very little collaboration. Supervisor Pinard spearheaded communications andworks to unify the local municipalities. Supervisor Pinard makes a point to attend as manymonthlymeetings and budget workshops that he can.

When attending meetings, he sometimes has answers that are not popular, but he always takes the time to explain the issues and keep the public informed. He is easily accessible and returns correspondence in a timely manner. He goes above and beyond to build a positive climate in the Town of Lenox.

Supervisor Pinard has changed the culture of local government starting with the posting of the town’s budget on their website. For the first time in years, the town government has transparency and credibility.

Some of the things Supervisor Pinard has accomplished in his short but efficient term are as follows:

Supervisor Pinard worked to establish the position of Fire Marshall in the town at no additional cost to town residents.

He helped to fund fire equipment to ensure a safer community (cascade machine and fire truck support). He has worked to decrease the town’s fiscal stress rating from 24 percent to 1.7 percent. He has been instrumental in the planning and development of a community handicapped accessible playground and park in the Village of Wampsville.

John would never blow his ownwhistle, but I think it is important for residents to know that he has personally (and anonymously) funded activities that included the annual senior citizen bus trip to Lights on the Lake, as well as the recent donation of a television set to be raffled off with the proceeds to benefit the CNY Children’s Foundation for the construction of a handicapped accessible playground/ park in the Village of Wampsville.

I truly believe that Supervisor Pinard knows that the position he holds isn’t about him or his ego, it’s about doing what’s right for the community he treasures.

On a personal note, I’d like to say that Supervisor Pinard has been a great mentor to me. He has taught me so much about local government and I am a much better trustee because of it. So please on Nov. 7 join me in voting for the man who holds the interest of the Town of Lenox first, your Supervisor John Pinard. Lori Brockway, Trustee,

Village of Wampsville

Hennessy poor choice for legislator

In the local race for Oneida County Legislator District 1, longtime political pundit Mike Hennessy is at it again. Before voting, look closely at his claims and ask yourself what message you want to send the candidates and the residents of our city and town with your ballot.

Hennessy last served in political office as a City of Sherrill Commissioner from 2012 to 2015. In his four-year term, what did he accomplish? Grant for a new fire truck? Funding from county? Nowhere in his palm cards, direct mailer cards, or Oneida Dispatch advertisements does he mention his achievements as City Commissioner.

Hennessy did, however, do something. At the May 27, 2014 city commission meeting (www.sherrillny.org/city-hall/ city- commission-meetings/) he was the only Commissioner to vote AGAINST the City of Sherrill – Oneida County Agreement. If this vote had goneHennessy’s way, he would have cost City of Sherrill taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past four years.

In Hennessy’s Oct. 8 Oneida Dispatch Letter to the Editor, he states “we need a strong leader who can rally the community to make the case that we deserve $7-8 million of the annual payments.” In 2014, he voted against accepting money, now he thinks he’s the one to “make a case” to receive it?

If elected to the county legislature, Hennessy would be one of 23 legislators and likely still a member of the minority. How would his outlandish budget plans be approved? As an alternative, perhaps Hennessy should campaign for county executive again.

Hennessy’s most recent updated palm cards, distributed at VVS Community Day, state he is endorsed by the Conservative Party. He may be endorsed by the county Conservative committee, but constituents in our district overwhelmingly supported Schiebel as the Conservative primary write-in candidate.

Campaign mailers and signs exclaim “Moving Forward” and “Getting the Job Done.” If Hennessy is moving forward, how come he lists accomplishments that are decades old? He currently is not serving as an elected official of any government level.

Mr. Hennessy stated in his editorial that he is running to “give the public a choice” and perform his “civic duties.”

As the co-chair of the Vernon Republican committee, it is a pleasure to endorse incumbent Keith Schiebel as our choice to represent you. We invite you to support our candidate and your representative in the upcoming election. Regardless of your political affiliation, please consider voting for the candidate who is really getting the job done, Keith Schiebel.

Sheila Sreca, Vernon

Hennessy an honorable, honest candidate

After reading last week’s letter to the editor, I felt compelled to reply to the preposterously hilarious portrayal of Mr. Michael Hennessy as a bully. I have knownMr. Hennessy over 10 years in both a professional and personal capacity and his honesty and dedication to his family, friends and clients is admirable. He brings knowledge and research to questions being asked and doesn’t sugarcoat them to appease you.

His style of telling things is refreshingly blunt and to the point. He is not nonsensical. He does not straddle issues! Mr. Hennessy has always taken the courageous stand on issues that is not always popular.

Sadly, I amunable to vote for him. Although we are neighbors, I reside over the bridge in Madison County and he in Oneida. Nonetheless, if you want someone to stand up, speak up and look out for your interests then Michael Hennessy is your candidate. He deserves an opportunity to prove that. He can only do that if you give him your vote on Tuesday, Nov. 7!

Jim Northrup, Munnsville

Keep Ball in sheriff’s office

Please join me in keeping John Ball working as our Madison County Sheriff. John Ball was appointed as Undersheriff seven years ago by then Sheriff Allen Riley to serve as second in command for the day-to-day operations of the entire 150 person agency including: the correctional facility, criminal division, road patrol, civil division, traffic safety coordinator, child advocacy center and the STOP DWI program. Since Riley’s departure several months ago John has well managed the Office of Interim Sheriff.

John has also volunteered as a board member of BRIDGES, a local organization dedicated to fighting drug and alcohol abuse throughout the county. In addition he served on the board of directors of the Madison County Community Action Partnership.

He earned the Madison County Community Services Board Award for his outstanding contributions in the area of alcoholism and substance abuse and is a recipient of numerous endorsements fromlaw enforcement agencies.

A veteran of the US Navy, John Ball has honorably served our nation as well as our county and demonstrated his outstanding qualifications for the position of Madison County Sheriff.

Therefore, without reservation, I urge you to vote on Nov. 7 for John Ball for Sheriff of Madison County.

Marianne Simberg, Oneida

Hood will make excellent sheriff

I have known Todd Hood for over 35 years. He is the same person that I met as a kid, where we mowed lawns for a summer job together. The years went by, high school, college and eventually we entered the work force. We worked the night shift together for Syracuse Police. Then the SWAT Team, and before we knew it, a whole career at Syracuse Police. It went by in a blink, but the most amazing thing is that ToddHood never, ever changed. He has always been grounded, serious, and a genuine gentleman. He gave a 100 percent effort, all day, every day.

See no matter what Todd Hood did, he was successful! Son, brother, student, athlete, police officer, detective, husband, father, friend and most importantly, a PERSON. Todd Hood, now can lead the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. With your vote, he will bring proven leadership, and incomparable experience to a police agency, that will need his expertise to lead them in future. Tood Hood is authentic, and should be given the opportunity to serve and protect the citizens of Madison County. Please vote for Todd Hood on Nov. 7, you will not be disappointed.

David Jones, Oneida

Shwartz a great supervisor

I amwriting to showmy support for Eve Ann Shwartz, Democratic candidate for Town of Hamilton Supervisor.

As a parent, resident of the town of Hamilton, Sherburne Earlville School Board member and neighbor, I feel confident expressing my full support of her candidacy.

Eve Ann has proven that she can work to make things happen. She recognizes the assets of the area and knows how to leverage them to create positive change. Since 2012 she has worked to:

• Revitalize the Partnership for Community Development (PCD) financially and structurally

• Stabilize SOMAC financially and create necessary changes to support these vital local emergency services

• Facilitate planning for the future, both in terms of comprehensive planning, extreme weather events, and controlling expenditures

It is clear to me that Eve Ann Shwartz is working to make the Town of Hamilton stronger by creating an area that is well-managed and provides resources for all. Rachel Amann-Burns,

Earlville

About election letters

The Oneida Daily Dispatch welcomes letters pertaining to the Nov. 7 General Election. All the letter-to-the editor guidelines apply. The Dispatch will no longer accept or run letters critical of a candidate. Letters endorsing a candidate must be received and verified by Friday, Nov. 3, at 4 p.m. The last day of publication of any letters is Sunday, Nov. 5. No election letters will be published on Nov. 7.

About letters to the editor

The Oneida Daily Dispatch welcomes letters about local topics or from local people online and in print. Subject to an upper limit of 500 words, letters may be edited for length or taste.

Letters containing things such personal attacks, namecalling, libel, obscenities or obvious falsehoods won’t be printed.

Email letters to LFurman@ OneidaDispatch.com or mail them to: Letters to the Editor The Oneida Daily Dispatch 130 Broad St., Oneida NY 13421

Include your name and city or town, which will be published, and for verification purposes, your daytime phone number, which won’t be published.