I’m writing to encourage all Palmyra residents to vote for Councilman Jim Welch on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

Jim is someone almost everyone in Palmyra knows. He not only has been a life-long resident, he also owns and operates a business that is woven into the fabric of our town. Because of all of this, there is much that can be said about Jim’s positive involvement within our community. However, I’d like to take a moment to focus on his impact as an elected member of our town government.

Over the last two years that I’ve had the pleasure to serve on the Town Board with Jim, I’ve come to really respect him for the calm demeanor he brings to the position, the logical way that he works through issues that face Palmyra and the thought-provoking questions he asks that bring important issues to light. Together, these traits combine to result in proven leadership that works for all of Palmyra’s residents.

During a time when everyone is trying to do more with less, it is good to know that Jim’s years of experience, his business acumen and his overall professionalism are there for all of us to lean on.

Like the other members of the Republican Team running in this year’s election – Ken Miller for Supervisor, Mike Boesel for Highway Superintendent, Mike Lambrix for Councilman, Bill Abbot for Town Justice and Lynne Green for Town Clerk – Jim Welch is an asset the people of Palmyra can depend on. That is why he should be re-elected.

Have you ever written a Letter to the Editor? If so, what was it about?

Now, it’s time to get to work.

Here are some stories from election night. Enjoy!

Republicans sweep in Palmyra

GOP takes sheriff, justice positions in Wayne County

As I was out campaigning, going door to door, in the town and village of Palmyra leading up to today, I encountered some great people and was introduced to many different perspectives on the voting process.

Personally, I take voting very seriously. It is a right that men and women died to make sure I have. I don’t ever want to let those deaths be in vain.

However, there are some people who choose not to vote. And in essence, that choice is a vote–against the process. One gentleman I encountered said that he doesn’t vote because it is all just a part of a big “bureaucracy.” He added that those elected will just do what they want to and that he’ll never see me again anyway. So, he said, why vote?

I thanked him for his time and moved on. I’ve been thinking about that meeting since it happened, though. I’m not sure that replying to him then and there would have done any good, but I am sure that, although he is entitled to his opinion, it is not an accurate opinion.

As I set out on this campaign, I did it because I believe that when elected I can help Palmyra prosper in the future. That belief includes positively impacting the futures of all of Palmyra’s residents. It also means that I’m not doing this as a one-man team. Instead, I want to work with all of the residents–including members of the Town and Village boards–to move Palmyra in an upward, positive direction. A direction that a majority of the people in Palmyra believe is the right one.

The reason for this is simple. It isn’t about me. It is about all of the people in Palmyra. Any elected official worth anything should not be in office for themselves. No, the reason you run for elected office is to help the people you are representing. You answer to them.

And therein lies the simple beauty of the voting process. The people who vote have the final say on how good or how bad an elected official is doing his or her job.

A few months down the road after I’m elected, I’m going to stop by the house of the gentleman who won’t vote because of the “bureaucracy.” I’m going to  make a point to ask him how I’m doing and what, if anything, he thinks I can do better. I also plan to ask all of the residents in Palmyra these same questions on a regular basis. It will be important feedback as I believe it will help me, and all of the other elected officials, do our jobs better.

So, please vote. It is your way to voice your opinion in a representative republic. It is democracy at work. It matters.

Thank you for your support!

Dear Editor,

I am writing to ask all Palmyra residents to seriously consider voting Row B for the Republican Team: Ken Miller for Supervisor; Dave Nussbaumer for Councilman; Terry Rodman for Justice; and me, Todd Pipitone, for Councilman on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3.

At a time when local and state governments around the nation are faltering because of a serious lack of leadership, it is good to know that there are experienced individuals like Miller, Nussbaumer, Rodman, and Pipitone running for office.

All four of us on the Republican Team understand the issues our community faces, because we confront them every day. When elected, we will provide down-to-earth, fiscally responsible, common sense solutions to ensure Palmyra’s continued prosperity as a premiere town in Wayne County.

The Republican Team believes in the people of Palmyra. We know that you are Palmyra’s greatest resource. When elected, we will seek out and listen to your opinions and recommendations for how to positively impact our community’s future.

The Republican Team will also work together with other leaders in our community to find creative and effective ways to provide the services Palmyra residents desire, at a price that all of us, as taxpayers, can afford.

The Republican Team will work to maintain a strong tax base in Palmyra. We believe that Palmyra needs to grow and that this growth must be in a way that is in the best interest of you, the residents.

As you head to the voting booth, please think about what you want Palmyra to be and who has the experience, knowledge, and ability to make that a reality. I believe the answer is the Republican Team: Ken Miller for Supervisor; Dave Nussbaumer for Councilman; Terry Rodman for Justice; and Todd Pipitone for Councilman. We sincerely appreciate your vote and support. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Todd Pipitone, Candidate for Palmyra Town Councilman

Dear Editor,

I am running as the candidate of the Republican and Independent (Palmyra 1st) parties for the position of Palmyra Town Supervisor. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and share some information with all of the voters as they consider whom they will support when they head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3rd.

First and foremost, I am a long-time homeowner and taxpayer in the town of Palmyra. I have been a resident for over three decades and my wife and I have raised two sons here.

I firmly believe in “Common Sense Government.” I understand that it is crucial in this day and age for all elected officials to continually justify every dollar that the government spends. I am committed to find creative ways of maintaining a fair budget. Your interests and concerns are also mine.

It is imperative that Palmyra’s leaders work to maintain a good standard of living for all residents. As I’ve been out meeting and talking with several of you during the campaign, many of you have told me you enjoy the lifestyle Palmyra offers; you are looking for a Supervisor that will continue to promote it. Throughout my nine years on Palmyra’s Planning Board and over the last two terms as a councilman, I have helped to maintain a good quality of life for our residents. However, I believe there are many more opportunities for us to better our hometown. I will be held accountable, as your Supervisor, to search out and implement opportunities for us to grow. We also need to maintain a strong tax base. It is undoubtedly important that we grow, but I believe that it is more important that growth occurs in the correct way and for the correct reasons. To do so, you need a Supervisor who understands that growth in the best interest of the majority of Palmyra’s residents will have a positive impact on Palmyra’s future. We need to keep Palmyra as the premier town in Wayne County.

Once in office, I will continue to seek out and listen to your thoughts and recommendations, as I believe the town’s people are a great resource. You can provide town leaders with many creative suggestions. By maintaining an “open door policy,” I will be available for residents to share additional opportunities with me. Communication is paramount in this relationship. I will create flexible office hours at the Town Hall; as this will make me available when you are.

It is time for us all to bring “Common Sense” to the table. For any questions or concerns, please call me at my home (315) 597-2345, or send your message by e-mail to kmiller4palmyra (AT) gmail (DOT) com. I promise to respond.

I look forward to meeting and talking with as many of you as possible in the coming weeks leading up to Election Day. I ask for, and sincerely appreciate your vote and support on November 3rd. Thank you in Advance.

Ken Miller

Candidate for Palmyra Town Supervisor

With 2.82 percent of a median home’s value being paid out in real estate taxes, Wayne County ranks third on the list. Wayne County is  just .07 percent behind Niagara County. Second place falls to Monroe County.

This is not really a goal county leaders should be striving for. Not  by any means.

Experts argue that because New York is facing significant fiscal challenges, counties in the state are going to have a tough time getting off this list.

There is no magic bullet, for sure. However, leaders elected to all levels of government-from the governor on down to town council members-must make it their primary responsibility to work together to find ways to mitigate the excessive tax burden residents of New York are shouldering.

It’s that simple. And it is that necessary. New York will not survive if they don’t.

Creating a more welcoming climate for business development, consolidating government services when and where appropriate and beneficial, working to lower Medicaid costs, and trimming the fat from public workforces without stripping the benefits such workforces provide to the communities they serve are all great ideas that need more consideration and, more importantly, action.

Reversing the tax burden on Wayne County residents won’t be easy, but it is doable. It will just take determined, cohesive action by leaders and residents working together to find and implement the most effective solutions.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can tackle this issue together. Feel free to post a comment, send me an email – pipitone4council (at) yahoo (dot) com, or tweet me.

In an article posted on MPNnow.com, Virts said he was humbled and honored when he was designated by the Wayne County Republican committee and that he is equally humbled and honored that voters in the county also chose him to be the Republican nominee on the ballot.
Now the challenge is winning on Election Day, which is just over a month away on Tuesday, November 3, 2009. On the ballot, Virts will once again face Palmyra Police Chief Dave Daltonwho has secured an independent line. The two will also be up against and Wayne County Sheriff Deputy Terry Pickett, who is the Democrat designee.

As I campaign for the Palmyra council seat, I can’t help but think that what Leadership Rochester purports to do in helping people to become better, more effective leaders is exactly what our region of New York needs.

I look forward to attending the Class of 2010 Welcome Reception and participating in this year’s program.

Look back here throughout the coming months for updates about the program, including tools and techniques, etc., and how I plan to incorporate what I’m learning in this leadership development program into how I will help provide common sense leadership for Palmyra as a council member.

Additionally, I’d be interested to know what skills and abilities you think a leader in our area needs to have to be effective in today’s world and also in tomorrow’s.