Four vie for two Enfield Town Board seats

This election season, there are four choices on the ballot for two seats on the Enfield Town Board. Rosie Carpenter and Robert Tuskey, members of the One Enfield political party, are challenging two board members whose terms end this year: Democrat Cassandra Hinkle and Jude Lemke, who is running on both the democratic and republican ticket. We asked the candidates about their qualifications, which issues they are most passionate about, and the goals they will pursue if elected.

Rosie Carpenter (One Enfield – challenger) 

What skills and strengths will you bring to the Enfield Town Board if re-elected?
I am highly motivated to return as a voice for all the Enfield residents and confident that we can be more efficient about getting current events out to everyone in a timely manner

What is one issue you are passionate about and why?
Freedom. Redundant law on top of law solely for the purpose of generating revenue on the backs of tax payers is unacceptable. Choices and options need to be discussed before the vote is taken and being told the issues have been reviewed “ad nauseum,” yet the majority of the residents don’t know anything about the issue.

What are your top three priorities if elected?
Transparency, communication and honesty! Deception by omission is still deception. Multiple Enfield Residents do not feel heard, some stating “our board has lost their way” and political aspirations are blinding them from town business.

What is one thing about yourself that you believe is important but that most voters probably don’t know?
I am newly retired with the time and interest to give the attention to a town council seat. I am an avid outdoors person, raise national champion German Shorthair Pointers, and am a member of multiple conservation groups, notably Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. My charitable  contributions go to St. Judes Children’s Hospital and Disabled American Veterans.

Cassandra Hinkle (Democrat – incumbent)

What skills and strengths will you bring to the Enfield Town Board if re-elected?
As a working mom and medical professional, I’m used to juggling a lot of responsibility with accuracy and compassion. For the last four years, I’ve chaired the Sustainability and Cemetery Committees, vice-chaired the Parks Committee, and represented Enfield on the Tompkins County Recreation Partnership. I have helped secure more than $1.2 million in grant funding, and I am able to navigate detailed projects from start to finish.

What is one issue you are passionate about and why?
I am deeply passionate about sustainability and long-term resilience, which is about lowering costs and making sure Enfield remains a healthy place for our children to grow up. That includes everything from renewable energy projects and smart infrastructure to expanding recycling options and supporting local food systems.

What are your top three priorities if elected?
1. Secure new grants to reduce the tax burden and expand services.
2. Build safe public spaces.
3. Strengthen our sustainability efforts.

What is one thing about yourself that you believe is important but that most voters probably don’t know?
I’m the kind of person who rolls up my sleeves and gets to work researching opportunities, taking classes to expand my skills, and helping plan and set up community events.
I enjoy kayaking, hiking, and learning to identify plants and animals. I spend as much time as I can exploring our woods and fields as an amateur mycologist — often with my family in tow. That connection to the land is a big part of who I am, and it fuels my commitment to protecting our woods, trails, and shared spaces.

Jude Lemke (Republican/Democrat – incumbent)

What skills and strengths will you bring to the Enfield Town Board if re-elected?
I bring over 40 years of experience in private legal practice, public accounting, Fortune 500 corporate governance, and both federal and local public service, including as a Senior Advisor to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. I’m a licensed New York attorney and hold an inactive CPA license. My experiences taught me the value of fairness, transparency, and fiscal responsibility.

What is one issue you are passionate about and why?
As a native New Yorker, I am passionate about giving back to my community. My extensive experience with domestic and international business has taught me to have an open mind, try to understand other peoples’ points of view and look at things from all angles.

What are your top three priorities if elected?
1. Pursuing grants and funding for big projects the town wants to undertake without raising taxes, like repairing bridges and culverts, building a cold storage unit for the highway department equipment and developing a town park.
2. Exploring the Community Development Block Grant program to help renovate and improve aging housing stock.
3. Looking for more ways to improve communication and outreach to the town residents.

What is one thing about yourself that you believe is important but that most voters probably don’t know?
My legal skills have allowed me to save the town tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees and, at the same time, I have saved the town over $15,000 over the last four years by foregoing my Board salary. For a small town like Enfield, those dollars really make a difference.

Robert Tuskey (One Enfield – challenger)  

What skills and strengths will you bring to the Enfield Town Board if elected?
As a U.S. Army veteran and former senior developer for an international corporation, I bring leadership, discipline, and strategic decision-making skills developed through years of public and private service. My military background taught integrity under pressure, and my corporate experience sharpened my ability to manage complex projects, lead diverse teams, and deliver practical results. I’ll use these strengths to promote transparency, accountability, and clear communication so every decision reflects the real needs of Enfield residents.

What is one issue you are passionate about and why?
I’m passionate about restoring transparency and open communication in Enfield’s government. Too many residents feel unheard as policies and budgets are approved with limited input. People deserve to be informed and included in decisions that affect them. When government operates openly and listens sincerely, it builds trust — the foundation of a strong community.

What are your top three priorities if elected?

1. Transparency: Create a public dashboard tracking budgets, projects, and Council actions in real time.
2. Community Engagement: Host regular public forums, neighborhood meetings, and online feedback sessions so residents have a voice before decisions are made.
3. Service-First Leadership: Promote professionalism and accountability, focusing on what truly benefits Enfield rather than outside interests or personal agendas.

What is one thing about yourself that you believe is important but that most voters probably don’t know?
I’ve spent much of my career leading international teams across the Americas, learning the value of collaboration, adaptability, and clear communication. At heart, I’m a problem-solver who listens first, leads with integrity, and believes local government should always put people before politics.