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Week of June 14, 2023 Home of The Kubala Family
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Four seek trustee seats in Liverpool Liverpool Hosts its Two Republicans, two Democrats vie for two spots First Special Olympics By Russ Tarby Contributing Writer
This year, for the first time in 22 years, Democrats have fielded candidates for village offices. Last week, the Star-Review profiled the two mayoral candidates, Republican Christina Fadden and Democrat Stacy Finney, and this week we focus on the four candidates for trustee. Voters will cast ballots in the election village between noon and 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, at the Village Hall, 310 Sycamore St. Here in alphabetical order, the Democratic duo will be followed by the two Republican candidates, including one incumbent. Trustees serve two-year terms and are paid $6,000 annually.
Melissa Cassidy
Submitted photos
It was a wonderful day for the Liverpool Central School District’s inaugural Special Olympics on June 2. More than 160 Liverpool CSD student-athletes participated in a number of activities including softball throw, bean bag drop, standing broad jump, running long jump, 50-yard dash and sensory activities. Special thanks to the following for their support: Penny Levos, Lally Foundation, Logo Plus, Edge Federal Credit Union, Allied Signs, Bagelicious, Home Team Pub, Syracuse University, Coca Cola, Syracuse Mets, Liverpool Foundation for Education, Moyers Corners Fire Department, United Rental and Avicolli’s.
“I grew up in the village of Liverpool,” said Democratic candidate Melissa Cassidy. “In fact, my parents still reside in my childhood home on Sargent Lane.” Cassidy Now, Cassidy and her husband, Scott, are parents of two children who represent the third generation to attend Liverpool Elementary. Cassidy excelled at college graduating with a communications degree from SUNY Geneseo before earning a master’s in public administration including advanced studies in conflict resolution from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School. She has enjoyed a 20-year career in the philanthropy sector, specifically focused on higher education and the arts. Her most recent employment is as interim assistant
dean of advancement at Syracuse University’s College of Law. “After having the opportunity to live in some of our country’s greatest cities on both coasts, my husband and I decided that we wanted to move back to the village of Liverpool to raise a family,” she said. “My time away from CNY allowed me to appreciate just how special a community the village of Liverpool is.” Over the past decade Cassidy has served as treasurer of the Liverpool Elementary PFO, is currently serving a second term on the village’s zoning board, and is a member of Paws in Motion, HumaneCNY’s dog-walking group. Among the issues on which Cassidy is focused are enhancing the walkability of the community. “This can be accomplished by collaborating with county and state stakeholders to create and enforce pedestrian-first policies,” she said. “I’d also like to build a stronger partnership with the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce to focus on business development.” Cassidy promises transparency and maintains that Democrats can provide new perspectives “to freshen and energize the conversation.”
Rachel Ciotti
Although she was raised in Massachusetts, Rachel Ciotti happily adopted her husband’s hometown. Nick Ciotti grew up in Liverpool, and 10 years ago he and Ciotti Rachel settled here. The Ciottis now have three children attending local schools. Before starting a family, Rachel Ciotti’s Liverpool l Page 2
Three vie for two seats in N. Syracuse
Clay mulls Micron site zone change By David Tyler
In order for Micron to locate its megafab facility in the town of Clay, the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency must first pass some regulatory hurdles with the municipality. Last Wednesday, the Clay Town Board and Planning Board held a joint public hearing - their first on the project - regarding a zone change on approximately 862 acres at the White Pine Commerce Park site. That acreage, which is composed of 55 parcels, is a little more than two-thirds of the site. OCIDA has already received a zone change on 339 acres on the western side of White Pines. Jeff Davis, an attorney at Barclay Damon who represented OCIDA, called the zone change “a significant step in bringing White Pine Commerce Park to life.” For over an hour, members of the town board and planning board questioned Davis about traffic con-
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 David Tyler
Jeff Davis, an attorney representing the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency, speaks to members of the Clay Planning Board at a public hearing regarding a proposed zone change at the White Pine Commerce Park. The application seeks industrial zoning for 861 acres that is currently zoned for either agricultural or residential uses. gestion, sewers, utilities, emergency services and other potential impacts the project would have on the area. Often, members of both boards found his responses lacking in specifics. In 2021, OCIDA prepared a generic environmental impact statement based on the potential for a chip fab plant to locate on the original 339-acre site. That plan, which was
“fictitious, but forwardthinking,” Davis said, considered a generic 4,000-employee chip manufacturing facility. Because Micron has yet to provide an application or site plan for its muchanticipated development, Clay officials are being asked to make a decision on the zone change based on the generic information provided for a smaller deMicron l Page 3
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 commuGustafson nicant 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 Bolton 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 Wilmer since 1982. His kids are his pets, 2 dogs and 2 cats. N. Syracuse l Page 3
Volume 131, Number 24 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.
community: Sunshine Horses hosts open house.
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sports: Putnam, Cary both win twice at state track meet.
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calendar ������������������ 14 death notices ����������� 5 Editorial ��������������������� 6 letters ������������������������ 6
Obituaries ������������������ 4 PennySaver ���������������� 8 schools �������������������� 14 Sports ����������������������� 15