Caroline voters should consider all the issues

To the Editor:

For the last two years, the Town Board of Caroline has worked to formulate a modest zoning plan for the Town .  Despite numerous public meetings and changes to the plan in response to citizens’ concerns, the issue remains very contentious.  As a result, single-issue challenges are opposing the incumbent Town Supervisor and two Board members, along with a new candidate for the Board.

But zoning is far from the only issue in Caroline, and we are concerned that other important, ongoing projects that the Supervisor and Council members have begun will be fumbled or dropped should they not be re-elected.  Supervisor Mark Witmer and Council members Kate Kelley-Mackenzie and Tim Murray have spearheaded programs to provide residential solar and other home energy improvements, have won hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants for improved residential lighting and expanded broadband access, are improving town highway facilities and our beloved old Town Hall, and have passed tax exemptions for first responders, veterans, and disabled residents.  Additionally and most importantly, they have been working with Tompkins County on improving emergency services for our far-flung, rural town.  All of these efforts will benefit Caroline residents, but they require cooperation with County and state agencies, and they take time, sometimes years, to put together.

And the incumbents have done all this while staying under the tax cap.  

Town-wide broadband may sound like a low priority, but the COVID-19 epidemic demonstrated how essential it is that every Caroline resident, no matter how remote, be able to easily access information, conduct business, and participate in school and other vital connections.  Broadband has become as necessary as electricity and indoor plumbing, yet many homes in Caroline don’t have it—yet.

It would be a shame if all the work that Mark, Kate, and Tim have done to improve our town is lost, mishandled, or abandoned.  Continuity is necessary to see these projects to completion.  Since their challengers have nowhere near the experience or accomplishments of the incumbents, we strongly encourage Town of Caroline residents to vote for Mark, Kate, and Tim, and Michele Brown, a new candidate, in November’s election.

Early voting is available at the Ithaca Town Hall (old post office) from Saturday, October 28th until November 5th; and election day voting takes place on November 7th at Caroline Center Church for District One, and at the Brooktondale Fire Hall for District Two from 6 am until 9 pm.  

Please vote for Mark Witmer, Kate Kelley-Mackenzie, Tim Murray, and Michele Brown.  Caroline deserves no less.

Sincerely yours,

Robin Fisher Cisne

John L. Cisne

Town of Caroline