Candidates vie for Dryden town supervisor seat

Two candidates are vying for the Dryden town supervisor seat in this year’s general election. The town supervisor race pits incumbent Democrat Jason Leifer against Republican candidate Patrick Foote, who was originally registered as a Libertarian.

Early voting has begun in the Dryden area. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Jason Leifer

Leifer, the town supervisor for the past six years, is looking to be re-elected for a fourth-straight term.

One of the main “driving points” for Leifer running for re-election is to continue the townwide broadband project that is currently under construction. The broadband project involves creating a new internet provider that will connect all Dryden-area residents with service “for faster speeds and less money,” Leifer added (see t.ly/YNso for more information).

Leifer, 51, noted that he and the Town Board “are dedicated” to seeing the project through to completion.

“It will be the town’s internet service and it will last between 50 to 100 years,” he said, adding the town has been working on the project since 2019. “It’s a personal project of mine, and I really want to be in office when it becomes available to residents.”

Other community projects Leifer is striving to complete are the ongoing Rail Trail project, which at its completion will stretch 10.5 miles across the Dryden area’s landscape; the Dryden 2045 Comprehensive Plan; affordable housing and assist with moving along current projects; and building soccer, baseball and softball fields behind town hall for Dryden’s recreation department.

“[The town] is working on a whole list of recreation, equity and business development projects,” Leifer said. “We also want to push for more diversity in our other boards and committees. … We’re trying to connect people in the community as much as possible.”

A future project Leifer is looking to get underway is the replacement of “very old” water and sewer lines in the hamlet of Varna.

Just like he’s committed to representing his clients as a public defender, he’s committed to representing Dryden-area residents.

“This is why I do this stuff,” added Leifer, a resident of Dryden for 16 years. “I’m committed to making the community a better place. I want to leave it in better shape than when I first took office because I’m not going to be here forever.”

When it comes to voting for Leifer for a fourth term, he said “if you like what you’ve seen, there’s no need to change course.”

“We’ve created a good atmosphere for the community’s needs, and I want to continue doing that,” Leifer said.

Patrick Foote

Foote, a Dryden resident his entire life, is running for office for the first time ever.

Foote’s biggest push to run for the town supervisor seat was his disapproval of the decisions made by the Town Board. He added the Town Board doesn’t give the community “a chance to voice their opinions.”

“I have seen actions by the town from afar, but I haven’t had the time to participate or be involved,” he said. “I’d like to have a more open board. I’m slow to make solid decisions because I want to hear all of the facts first.”

Foote, 61, said he is a supporter of the ongoing Rail Trail project in Dryden, adding it’s a “fantastic asset to the community.” However, he disagrees with the approach the Town Board took on plans to build a bridge over Route 13 to connect the trail from one side of the road to the other.

“I felt like they weren’t listening to the people and their concerns,” Foote said. “The trail is incomplete. Just because they got a grant that pays for a portion of the bridge doesn’t mean it’s right. It still seems like it’s the wrong approach.”

Foote noted he wishes the Dryden recreation department was “better utilized,” but he’s “glad they have it to begin with.”

“I appreciate the community’s efforts with the department,” he said. “I just wish there were more [youth sports] programs in town instead of out of town.”

Foote disapproves of the high-density zoning in the hamlet of Varna, which allows for college housing and apartment complexes to be built in the area.

“Residents have asked not to have that zoning, and the Town Board refused to take it past the first motion,” he said. “Residents want the zoning reduced, especially for how small the area is, but the town doesn’t want to.”

If elected, Foote said he wants to work with Tompkins County on economic development and a way to “drive in more businesses.”

“I see a lot of empty buildings in the area,” he said. “Filling these buildings would help with property taxes and tax burden overall.”

Foote’s vision is to “treat the citizens [of Dryden] more as customers,” working with people and multiple groups just like he does as the operations manager for Swarthout Coaches, Inc. in Ithaca. Foote previously worked as the director of facilities for the William George Agency For Children’s Services, Inc. in Freeville.

“Once you become an elected official, you work for the citizens of the town,” he said. “I want to know facts and what the community wants. I’m 100% for the people.”

The huge draw for Foote as a candidate is not wasting money, especially not wasting the taxpayer’s money.

“It’s time for a change,” he said.

IN BRIEF:

Freeville pumpkin carving contest

The Freeville Community Council (FCC) is happy to sponsor the 2021 Village Pumpkin Carving Contest. This is a fun, family-friendly event encouraging you to help brighten community porches with some eye-catching jack-o’-lanterns and inspire some autumn cheer in the village.

To enter your household, simply send an email to Will Olson (olson.will@gmail.com) to get your entry form. Entries will be accepted through Oct. 28. There is one entry form per household. Each household is more than welcome, and encouraged, to carve as many pumpkins as they want. Competitors then receive a unique entry number to display on their porch alongside their creations. The entry form will also contain a QR code to direct voters online to cast their ballot. Get your pumpkins on display by sundown Oct. 30!

Votes can be cast on Halloween weekend from Oct. 30 through 31. The FCC invites you to walk, bike, drive or fly your broom through the village to view the carvings on display. Use the QR code on the displayed form to pull up the ballot and cast your vote for your favorite entry (vote by phone). One vote per person, and make sure to vote by midnight Oct. 31.

The winner will receive the amazing Freeville Pumpkin Carving Trophy. You can display that trophy proudly in your home and through the window for all to see until next year’s contest.

If you have questions, feel free to contact Ryan Maher (rmaher11@gmail.com).