Meet the Candidates: Ulysses Highway Superintendent – Dave Reynolds

By Rob Montana
Tompkins Weekly

Primaries in local races tend to be less common, but Republicans in the Town of Ulysses will see just that on Tuesday, September 12, when they head to the polls to pick their representative for town highway superintendent.

Dave Reynolds has been filling the role of superintendent since first being appointed in January 2016, having taken over to fill a vacancy in the position; prior to that, he was a longtime Ulysses highway department employee.
Here is how Reynolds responded to our questions for the candidates.

Tompkins Weekly: What is your current position?
Dave Reynolds: I have worked for the Ulysses Highway Department for 29 years. I started as a crew worker/truck driver. Over time there were several pieces of equipment I learned how to operate including road-side mowers, the gradall/ditching machine, road sweeper, asphalt roller and 10-wheel dumptruck/ snowplows. In 2008 through 2015 I was the Crew Foreman and Deputy Superintendent. From January 2016 through the present I have been the Ulysses Highway Superintendent. In addition, I was and still am a farmer and equipment operator.

TW: Why are you running for Ulysses highway superintendent?
DR: Having worked for years as a highway employee with Ulysses, and moving up through the various levels, I have acquired important knowledge and skill to be qualified as a candidate for the highway superintendent position. I would like to continue working and I would appreciate your vote of confidence.

TW: What is the most important task facing the highway department currently?
DR: The most important task facing the highway department is to accomplish the necessary work of the department, whether it’s road repair, roadside mowing, snowplowing or overseeing an emergency situation, in the safest most cost effective way whenever possible.

TW: If elected, what are the top two priorities you would implement for the department?
DR: I would continue working on two priorities: To keep the road maintenance program in place and to replace outdated equipment. Both of these plans can be accomplished without over burdening the taxpayer when close attention is paid to the condition of the roads and the equipment.
If roads and equipment are allowed to deteriorate too much the repair costs are far escalated above their proper maintenance from the start. Both of these priorities also address the safety aspects to the highway crew and the public, while watching out that tax dollars are spent in a responsible way.

TW: What skills do you have that make you the best person for the job?
DR: Many of the skills and qualifications that I already have, make me the best candidate for the highway superintendent position. These skills were established over the course of my years with the Ulysses highway department. In addition to what I’ve already said, I know the town roads and their needs, the town infrastructure and I have good working relationships with other town/village and Tompkins County highway superintendents and personnel. This is important because town, village and county workers occasionally work together on larger projects.

Over the last two years as highway superintendent, I’ve attended meetings and worked with the town board to find ways to balance the importance of keeping the roads in the best possible con-dition while keeping in mind to not overburden the taxpayers. I’ve come to know the budgeting process and many aspects of record keeping that are required of the highway superintendent.

And not least of all, the position is not in any way that of a “figurehead.” While the job does require my time to be spent on paperwork, I also get into the physical labor part whenever a job needs me to do so. Any candidate for highway superintendent will better serve the voters by having the skills, qualifications and experience that I have making me the best candidate for the position.