Lansing Village Trustees run for re-election

By Jamie Swinnerton
Tompkins Weekly

While all other villages in Tompkins County held elections last month, the Village of Lansing is gearing up for its next election on April 24 from noon to 9 p.m. Two Village Trustee seats are up for election and both incumbents are the only candidates to file Independent Nominating Petitions with the Tompkins County Board of Elections. Tompkins Weekly sent a short Q and A to both Gerry Monaghan and John O’Neill to find out what they want to accomplish, and what they bring to the village board.

 

Tompkins Weekly: Why are you running for the position of village trustee?

 

Gerry Monaghan: I have enjoyed being a member of the Village of Lansing Board of Trustees for the past four years. I have found it to be a wonderful way to engage civically. I love people, and I find that by walking around the Village with an eye towards our infrastructure I have gained valuable insights into the lives of my neighbors, and into the needs of our community.

I am running for re-election because I would like to continue working as a member of the Village’s management team. I get such a thrill out of seeing a new sidewalk completed, or addressing a problem with our stormwater runoff plan. I think seeing an updated playground, or a new park is very satisfying. As a Trustee, it would be difficult to point to a specific accomplishment that I could say that “I did this.” More to the point; we as a Board have accomplished great things because of our willingness to work together as a team.

 

TW: What do you bring to the position?

 

GM: I think I have an unusual skill set that has served me well in this work. I am an artist with all the requisite creative energies. I can think outside the box when it comes to creative problem-solving. And, at the same time, I have more than 30 years of experience working as a self-directed, self-employed freelancer, so I really appreciate the need to have our Village’s fiscal ducks in a row. To my eyes, a well-balanced bank statement is as pretty as a picture.

While I enjoy participating in Arts in the Park type cultural events, I also really like looking over the books and marveling at how well our Village is run from a business perspective. I am fond of telling people that I am an amateur civil servant. I do it because it is an honor to be of service to my community. I think acting civically is one of our greatest aspirations.

 

TW: What would you like to accomplish in your next term?

 

• I look forward to helping with the completion of the new Village park on Northwoods Road.
• I am also looking forward to helping with the large sewer improvement project we will be doing in 2018 and 2019.
• I would like to see more neighborhoods have opportunities for volunteering to improve our parks, like what we did with the Greenways Committee’s Friends of Shannon Park interest group.
• I want to see a comprehensive program to bring lighting to Village paths where needed.
• I am still committed to making handicapped accessibility to all parts of the Village a priority.
• I want to help create the new community meeting space in the old Village Hall.
• I want to see continued cooperation with the Town of Lansing government, sharing and helping whenever we can.
• I would like to see how we can help the new owners of The Shops at Ithaca Mall to reorganize, in order to give the Mall the best chance possible to survive and prosper. At the same time, we must hold the line with them in order to have the best outcome for the Village.

 

TW: Why are you running for the position of village trustee? What do you bring to the position?

 

John O’Neill : The Village of Lansing is a cozy place with the malls, restaurants, and all of the stuff that a person will want. After 17 years as a resident, I was contented with my friends and my neighborhood. I have been a Trustee for many years and I have experience in the municipal projects. The Village has a wondrous staff and everything is working well…water, roads, sidewalks, lights all are like a Swiss watch. I am proud to be involved with the Village.

 

TW: What would you like to accomplish in your next term?

 

JO: I have two items for me to accomplish in my next term as a Trustee. First, I and Ronny Hardaway are working on the Village’s website to inform the residents about the Tompkins County programs for our kids. The five or six programs are fun and interesting with sports, camps, etc. The residents can look at the website and find everything for their kids.

The second item that I can accomplish is the Community Hall for the Village. The old building would be ready for the summer and the residents can use that for their neighborhood meeting, yoga, parties, etc. The Village, finally, has a Community Hall!
I am always looking for the future of the Village and I hope to be a Trustee for you.