The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Local politicians answer community questions
Mike Hennessy, Keith Schiebel, Mary Cavanagh, Margaret Milman-Barris and John Reinhardt Q&A.
The following are answers from the Oneida County District 1Legislator candidates to community questions. Each candidate had 700 words.
How would you allocate funds from the Oneida Indian Nation Enterprises in the VVS area?
Michael Hennessy: This question goes to the heart of my campaign. It exemplifies how this area is being under represented by our current legislator and taken advantage of by County Executive Anthony Picente! There is no other Indian deal in the state of New York where the state pays the county more than the actual impacted communities. In fact, money goes to the impacted areas directly and far outweighs what the county receives. Salamanca resides in the County of Cattaraugus. Salamanca, population 5,200, receives over $5million (per year) from the much smaller Seneca casino compared to Turning Stone. This is wrong. The impacted areas within the Towns of Vernon, Verona and Vienna deserve a significant portion of the $17.5million the county receives annually from the state/Oneida Indian Nation agreement. This legislative district deserves at least $7.5million per year, divided into two areas: $2.5million for annual tax stabilization for VVS and local governments and $5million to upgrade our infrastructure projects. Water for Vernon Center, projects to prevent flooding along Oneida Creek, money for upgrades at our fire departments/rescue services, etc and sewers in Oneida Castle! Keith Schiebel: Partners In Prosperity funds received from Oneida County’s agreement with New York State and OIN provide significant funding to municipalities in the affected areas of the county. These currently include two villages, one town, the City of Sherrill, four school districts, and Verona Fire Department. The amount of funding provided to each municipality is based upon formulas negotiated in the original agreement, provided that the municipality does not seek legal action against the county. While not in elected office during the original negotiations, I do feel that funding levels are unfair to our region and a higher percentage of the total OIN monies should be given to our area including City of Sherrill, Towns of Vernon and Verona, Village of Vernon, and the Verona Fire Department. These are directly impacted municipalities; sending Oneida County compensation to entities outside the county lacks common sense. The current agreements with municipalities do not restrict the use of these funds, but instead leave it to each municipality’s governing board to determine the use of funds; be it tax reduction, investment in economic development, or off-set budget expenses. I do not believe the county should restrict or dictate to municipalities the use of funds in any manner.
How would you assist in the continued sustainability of Vernon Downs?
Michael Hennessy: This question is a good example of the working differences between the two candidates for this office. He talks about putting a resolution through the legislative body calling on the state to lower taxes for Vernon Downs. As a former legislator I too sent these resolutions through to Albany. All my life, as a child growing up in Vernon, I cherished memories of Vernon Downs that I hope can be passed to the next generation! Keith Schiebel: This year I introduced a resolution to the Board of Legislators, which was subsequently adopted, calling for a greater share of gaming revenues to remain at Vernon Downs. In partnership with state officials, a more favorable bill was then adopted by the state legislature to financially assist Vernon Downs with operational costs and provide a greater share of the revenues. Vernon Downs remains a very significant part of our community and this region of Oneida County. As a Central New York destination, we need to preserve and sustain its viability through economic stability. As an example, most recently the Town adjusted Vernon Downs assessments to improve its economic vitality. From horse trainers to hay dealers to veterinarian services to a host of hospitality services, Vernon Downs is essential to our local region’s success.
How do you plan on addressing the exodus of young people from the region?
Michael Hennessy: As a parent I have seen local students leave the area, including my daughter and son to attend the University of Pittsburgh. Every parent hopes their child will reside close to home, but realistically it’s a challenge for our kids to realize their dreams by staying. As one person once said, “this area has a great job market as long as one doesn’t mind working a minimum wage job!” It’s obvious that what we’re doing on a county level is not working and the definition of insanity is one who “keeps doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result.” Look at the results of the Marcy Technology Park: Initially it was 3,000jobs, then 2,000 and now we employ about 100people after spending close to $500million of taxpayer money! The one thing I always felt was EDGE had no accountability and it just kept underperforming. Six years later, my critics decided to hire a person with job marketing experience to work outside of EDGE, employed and accountable to the Board of Legislators! I would ask my opponent why he voted in favor of the position in committee one week prior, but then voted against the position at the full committee meeting. The vote went through 21to 2! Keith Schiebel: As a longtime educator at V.V.S., certainly education plays an important role in molding the future of our youth. We are fortunate to have two quality secondary education systems in our legislative district, with most primarily attending V.V.S. Our parents, grandparents, neighbors, and friends all contribute to the education of our youth and influence their decisions of where to live and work. As county legislator, our first opportunity to entice students to stay here is to attend college here. For many in the region, MVCC provides a great college experience in many disciplines. Beyond education, we must strive to continue to develop attractive career opportunities in our region. For instance, research in the use of drones and unmanned aircraft and development of radar testing systems at Griffiss are just a couple examples of cutting edge technology being developed in the Mohawk Valley that encourage our youth to stay in our region.
Where do you stand on the proposed county budget, which includes a pay raise for legislators?
Michael Hennessy: This county budget is the first to spend over $400million. This legislature is happy they didn’t raise taxes this year. Considering the county over the last five and half years has received close to $70million from the state/ OIN agreement and not shared that money appropriately with local impacted areas, I see this budget without a significant tax cut as a gigantic failure! As a county legislator and minority leader, we cut sales taxes, expanded veteran’s exemptions and a partial disability exemption! To cut taxes we cut expenses, including health insurance to part-time elected officials and reducing the board from 29to 23. That was done by a county board that met twice a month rather then the once a month they have now. SO FOR THE BOARD TO VOTE THEMSELVES A RAISE FROM $8,500TO $16,000IN ONE YEAR IS CRAZY! Keith Schiebel: Last year, a modest pay raise for county legislators was proposed in the County budget, this after 22years with no increase. That raise was subsequently pulled from the budget before adoption. This year an independent citizens committee reviewed similar positions across the state and made increased pay recommendations for inclusion in this year’s budget. The citizens committee determined what it considered an equitable compensation for the expected performance of the legislative position. I support their findings. So long as this year’s budget holds the line on property taxes and fairly shares Partners In Prosperity funds to municipalities in the affected areas of OIN, then I will support the budget.
As legislator, what would you do to help grow existing businesses or bring in new ones?
Michael Hennessy: With my financial background and my work ethic I will vote to help local businesses expand and support credible outside businesses to come move to this area. Look at my past efforts supporting Vernon Downs and the several successful area job fairs I hosted. The first rural planner I supported and helped rural governments develop planning to build infrastructures to compete for better jobs! Our efforts for job growth must be fulltime and people working and employed must be held accountable if results continue to drag below the national average. Keith Schiebel: Our region has much to offer. Economic development projects, such as Verona’s proposed Willow Place extension, will undoubtedly entice businesses to the area. Recent infrastructure projects, such as municipal water to Vernon Center and municipal sewer in Oneida Castle, can stabilize residential communities and enhance commercial opportunities. Re-development of the Oneida Limited plant into a manufacturing hub by Briggs and Stranton shows promise for all in our region. As county legislator, I will continue to work with local municipalities, businesses and leaders to help grow our region.