Two vie for spot on Groton ballot

It is not often that primary elections in the town of Groton have any sort of contested races, but this year, those who are registered with the Republican Party will have a choice to make and a reason to head to the polls June 22.

When the general election is held Nov. 2, residents of Groton, regardless of their political affiliation, may head to their polling places to vote for town supervisor, town clerk, two town councilpersons, town justice and highway superintendent.

It is the latter that has raised up two Republican contenders for the seat — Kenneth Carr and Ellard D. Keister — who are both vying to represent the party in November, as evidenced by a very prominent presence of campaign lawn signs practically everywhere one looks on the town limits.

I met with Carr and Keister and their families recently, both of whom had a lot to share about themselves and their qualifications. Thus, in alphabetical order, I would like to introduce you to Carr in this column. You will need to come back next week to learn about Keister.

Carr has been a lifelong resident of Groton in the hamlet of McLean, which is a part of the town of Groton yet is zoned in the Dryden school district. As a result, Carr attended Dryden Central School, where he played football and graduated in 2000.

At the age of 14, Carr joined the McLean Fire Department, where he has remained an active member for the past 25 years and worked his way up the proverbial ladder to become the fire chief eight years ago. I would hazard a guess that he has likely climbed his share of actual ladders along the way.

“I have learned how to be a leader and support my fellow volunteer firemen and women,” Carr said, something he feels would be a valuable asset for heading up a highway department. “I also gained the knowledge of how to operate on a tight budget that affects the taxpayers as fire chief.”

Carr has always been employed full time in the workforce since he graduated from high school and has worked at the Town of Dryden Highway Department as a heavy equipment operator for more than 12 years to date and holds a CDL-A license.

“Having worked for the Dryden Highway Department, I have the experience and expertise to excel in this position,” Carr said. “And I am a dependable and reasonable gentleman. The people of Groton can count on me. I chose to run because I would like to make a difference in my hometown.”

Carr listed the experiences and accomplishments that he feels would make him a good fit for the Groton highway superintendent, including supervising and managing volunteer personnel, acting as a liaison between members and an elected board, managing and maintaining equipment within a set budget and involvement in large purchases including a new fire truck and rehab trailer and the construction the new truck bay addition at the McLean fire hall.

Carr also precipitated an $86,000 grant for self-contained breathing apparatus replacement, maintained good relationships with various constituents, is a past president of the Tompkins County Chiefs Association and monitored roads and managed employees as a crew leader.

Carr is very proud of his family. His wife, Jenelle, is also a member of the fire department, an EMT and a full-time registered nurse. They have two sons, Ethan (12) and Eli (9), and all live on a farm that has been in their family since 1927, raising hay crops and beef cattle.

“I enjoy watching my boys race hare scrambles throughout the summer and camping with friends and family,” Carr said.

When asked how he would balance being Groton’s highway superintendent with everything else he does, Carr said, “My family is used to a very active and busy schedule. Becoming the highway superintendent would replace my current position, and I will be able to effectively balance my work and home life.”

Ethan and Eli both said, “We’re kids, and if we like him, so will you!”

Carr welcomes questions or concerns from the community by contacting him at (607) 345-8639 or KenCarrforTownofGrotonhighwaySupt21@gmail.com.

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

In brief: 
 
Summer concert schedule finalized 

Groton Recreation has finalized the schedule for its Summer Concert Series season, sponsored by Community Arts Partnership. Concerts are held at the Groton American Legion Post 800 on Main Street from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday evenings beginning July 9.

Richman and the PoorBoyZ Band, playing blues, country and old-time rock ‘n roll, will kick things off. This five-piece band features tunes from Johnny Cash and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

StrayCat Willie & the Strays will take the stage July 16. StrayCat Willie has been playing the blues with some of the best musicians in the country for several decades.

On July 23, Iron Horse will pay tribute to the great American southern rock bands of our time such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, The Charlie Daniels Band, ZZ Top and The Eagles.

Tink Bennett & Tailor Made have been performing and opening for national acts in the central New York area and beyond for over 30 years and will be with us on July 30.

Aug. 6 features Cruise Control, an eight-member classic rock/dance band that performs rock, blues and country songs from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s.

Donna & The Mystics, a central New York-based group of highly talented and celebrated artists, will be on deck Aug. 13, bringing new country music, a variety from the ’50s and ’60s, and classic and southern rock.

The series will wrap up on Aug. 20 with 3’s A Crowd, a three-piece group from central New York performing hit songs from the ’50s to the present, covering a wide range of classic rock, country, blues, disco and R&B.

Concessions will be available for purchase by MoMo’s Traveling Café July 16, 23 and 30 and Aug. 6 and the Groton Fire Department Aug. 13 and 20.

Groton Rotary Geraniums 

The Groton Rotary Club still has geraniums for sale and available at Brittany Station, 152 Main St. Flowers are available in red, pink, white and fuchsia in 4.5-inch pots. Cost is $4.50 each or three for $12. All proceeds benefit Groton Rotary’s community service projects, youth programs and scholarships.