Groton election winners share appreciation

The voters in Groton cast their votes on Election Day, and the candidates who were successful in those races are grateful for the opportunity to serve their community.

Although some races were uncontested, it is nevertheless affirming to those newly elected officials to know their neighbors took the time to vote for them.

Incumbent Donald Scheffler was re-elected town supervisor, Paul (Buddy) Lang was elected to fill the town justice seat vacated by Dewey Dawson, who retired in February 2021, and Robin Cargian moved up from her position as deputy town clerk to replace retiree April Scheffler as town clerk.

“It is a very humbling experience to win an election,” Cargian said. “I would like to thank the community and my family for their support as well as a huge thank-you to April Scheffler for giving me the opportunity 12 years ago to be her deputy. I hope to continue the high standards April has set for the town clerk’s office and look forward to working with the Town Board, Mr. Keister, Mr. Fritz, Tompkins County town clerks and all the colleagues I have met in the Tompkins County government in the years to come.”

With retirement being somewhat of a theme in this election year, Glenn Morey retired from his seat for District 9 in the Tompkins County Legislature, and Lee Shurtleff was elected to fill it.

“I am overwhelmed and gratified with the support given me this past week,” Shurtleff said. “I view my election as county legislator as a new yet important way to serve northeast Tompkins County. My history with the county actually predates my years as an employee and department leader within the organization.”

Shurtleff explained that he served an internship in 1981 as a high school student on the former County Board of Representatives, under its District 9 representative, Frank Satterly.

“I continued attending legislative meetings thereafter, when my dad succeeded Frank,” Shurtleff said. “Over these past 40 years, I’ve witnessed county government evolve into a $190,000,000-per-year business that provides critical services to our rural inhabitants. I am confident this decadeslong knowledge of the body and its inner workings will enable me to effectively serve the best interests of my neighbors in District 9.”

Former Groton Highway Superintendent Mike Perkins also retired, leaving that seat open for a contest between Kenneth Carr and Ellard Keister, who was the winner of that race.

“I would like to say thank you to all the voters who got out there this week,” Keister said. “It was great to see numbers as high as they were. A special thank-you goes out to my wonderful wife and kids for standing by my side through this whole election process. The support they show makes this all worthwhile. I also thank my coworkers. They all put forth so much to this township that they deserve the same in return. That is why I decided three years ago that I was going to run.”

Keister expressed his pride in having grown up in Groton and working his way “up through the ranks at the Highway Department and am now raising my own family here. I want to see the best for this town and the people in it.”

When asked about his plan going forward, Keister said, “We have been working closely with neighboring towns and the county Highway Department in the past few years, showing we work well with others. Our equipment plan is up to date and constantly examined to ensure that we are making the best decisions year after year with taxpayer money. I intend to keep all of this going strong and constantly build in the years to come.”

Keister said that the Highway Department’s staff is filled with “strong, good-hearted, diversely talented” people.

“I chose to set out for the superintendent position to continue to support them and our community,” he said. “I look forward to serving all of you, and like everything I do, I will give it my all.”

There was a four-way race for two councilperson seats on the Town Board. Incumbents Rick Gamel and Crystal Young garnered those seats over Beth Buckles and Mark Robinson.

Gamel thanks everyone who voted in the election.

“I will do my best to represent the people of the town of Groton and continue to listen to all sides of whatever issues come before the Board,” he said.

Young also expressed her thanks to all who voted this year.

“I truly appreciate the support of those who put their trust in us to make solid decisions for the future of Groton,” Young said. “This is not something I take lightly, and I pledge to continue to serve the community with honesty and integrity. I would also like to thank Mark Robinson and Beth Buckles for the time and commitment they put into this race. I think they had some great thoughts and ideas and hope they will continue to pursue them with the Town Board.”

Young spoke of her pride in the work that has been accomplished over the past four years that she has been a councilperson and how she is looking forward to continuing to make some real positive changes for the community.

“During my past term, we were able to secure a grant through NYSERDA to complete the transition of streetlights to LED, which has saved money and is much more energy efficient,” Young said. “And we are continuing to look at energy-efficient options for the community. We recently partnered with HeatSmart Tompkins on the Groton Community Campaign for Clean Heating and Cooling and Energy Efficiency to hold an informative webinar.”

When asked about any additional thoughts for the future, Young said she thinks it is important to keep the community informed of things happening in the town.

“I will be looking at various ways to better reach our constituents, including adding important information and updates through our local social media outlets,” Young said. “The monthly meetings are open to the public, and I would encourage all who are able to attend and voice their thoughts and concerns. Thank you again for your support!”

Groton on the Inside appears weekly. Submit news ideas to Linda Competillo, lmc10@cornell.edu or (607) 227-4922. 

In brief: 
 
Veterans Day commemoration 

The Groton American Legion Post 800 will hold a Veterans Day ceremony at the Legion at 11 a.m. Nov. 11. There will be a military detail in front of the post with a 21-gun salute to commemorate our veterans. Post Commander Frank Heine will deliver a short speech. All are welcome to attend.

Happening at the library 

The GPL Book Club meeting will be held in the Great Room at 7 p.m. Nov. 18. This month’s book is “The Last Castle” by Denise Kiernan. Contact director@grotonpubliclibrary.org to get your copy.

Kimberly Petrella, a licensed Medicare representative, will hold two informational sessions to learn about what to expect in 2022 with Medicare. An in-person class will be held at the library at 5 p.m. Nov. 18, and a Zoom session will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 19. Both sessions will contain the same information. Email director@grotonpubliclibrary.org for the Zoom link.

Learn how to make your own gift cards in the library’s new great room in the “Give the Gift of Love” class at noon Nov. 20. Seating is limited. Email director@grotonpubliclibrary.org to reserve your spot.

Tuesday fall nutrition classes 

On your device on Zoom, join SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator Sarah Curless, in collaboration with Tompkins County Public Library, to learn about how to make simple changes in your food repertoire, try new recipes and save money!

Classes are on Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. through Dec. 21. Curless will share nutrition information while exploring foods from around the globe. Recipes will include homemade granola, raspberry lime fizz drink, baked tofu, curried potatoes with red lentils, vegetarian chili, skillet corn chowder, southwest-style rice bowls, shepherd’s pie and tofu “egg” salad.

To sign up, contact Curless at sgc56@cornell.edu or (607) 272-2292 ext.252.