Thomas Lennox wants to serve on the Cayuga County Legislature. And that's no crow.

Usually around this time of year, Lennox is focused on the black birds' invasion of Auburn, and the hunt, which he helps organize, that will soon follow.

But this year, he's got an additional matter to focus on: Election Day.

“Anybody who knows me knows I'm going to make it happen,” said Lennox, who faces incumbent Steve Cuddeback for the Legislature's District 9 seat.

“I'm a get-it-done kind of guy.”

There are numerous things that Lennox, a Conservative, would like the county to get done, particularly for its younger residents.

He wants to see the construction of recreation centers, so that children have a place to hang out. Idle hands are the devil's workshop, Lennox said, repeating the adages that he often weaves in and out of his speech.

He's also interested in bringing more industry to the area so that young people will stay in the county. One way to do that is to entice businesses with cheap energy, he said.

Cuddeback, a Republican seeking his second term, is also interested in the county's pursuit of alternative forms of energy. The former Public Works committee chairman is excited about recent developments with a methane digester on County House Road and envisions several more regional digesters in the county's future.

He also hopes to work on water quality issues for the Owasco Lake watershed and would like to see Auburn contribute funds to help offset best-management practice costs. City contributions for county efforts to keep the water clean occur elsewhere, he said.

In comparison to Lennox, Cuddeback is focused on the opposite end of the age spectrum, citing his concerns about the health and living conditions of older residents in his district.

One concern for older residents is the county's handling of flu shot clinics, which are held in Auburn.

“The elderly people are the ones getting the flu shots, and they can't walk three city blocks,” Cuddeback said of the parking situation in Auburn. He suggested the creation of something like a Bloodmobile, where the flu shots go to the people.

Both Cuddeback and Lennox are confident that their occupational backgrounds translate well to the Legislature.

“I have experience in an uninterrupted business,” said Cuddeback, the owner/operator of Cuddeback farms. “I understand about making money, or I wouldn't still be in business.”

Lennox is the owner/operator of Lennox Enterprises, which provides tree take down and demolition services.

“Being in business for 24 years, you have to be slick as a Jersey lawyer,” he said.

District 9 legislator candidates

Name: Steve Cuddeback

Town: Niles

Age: 47

Occupation: Owner/operator Cuddeback Farms, part-time policeman in Moravia for 19 years

Education: Graduated from Moravia Central High School; some SU classes in criminal justice/law enforcement; graduated from the police academy at CCC

Political experience: One term as legislator; former member of the Niles planning board; current chairman of the Soil and Water Conservation District board of directors

Family: married to Teri for 25 years; two children: Jason and Jamie

Name: Thomas Lennox

Town: Niles

Age: 52

Occupation: Owner/operator Lennox Enterprises (tree take down and demolition services)

Political experience: State chairman of the Conservative party for two terms; southern chairman Conservative party for three terms; lobbies for New York State Conservation Council

Education: Graduated from Auburn High School; received asbestos license

Family: Married to Pamela Jean for 27 years; two children: Thomas Arthur Jr. and Daniel Michael