Linda Murphy believes the Cayuga County Legislature needs some new blood, which is why she decided to enter the race after discovering that her opponent, incumbent William Catto, was running unopposed.

“I felt that people don't get involved enough,” Murphy said. “We need change, we need new ideas and we need new energy. Otherwise, we're not going to go anywhere, here.”

Catto, who has represented district 11 on the county Legislature for the past four years, believes he has the ideas and energy to carry over into a second term. He would like to continue working on unfinished business from his first term - most importantly, the county manager issue. The manager issue is something Catto “firmly” believes in and feels he can resolve if given the opportunity to continue to work on it.

Both Murphy and Catto believe the county needs improved long-term planning.

“The county is reactive to situations - we have got to change and be proactive,” Catto said. “The county needs to decide where it's going.”

Murphy believes the county should implement a strategic plan. It's typical to implement a five-year plan in the private sector, Murphy said, and she believes something similar could benefit the county.

“We need to decide ‘Where do we want to be in five years,' so that we're looking down the road,” she said. “So we have goals we can follow and then we can revise them as need be.”

Also key to the future of the county government is improved communication, Murphy said, which includes better interaction both with the community and between legislators.

In addition, she wants to see a more friendly working environment, more support of department heads and greater fiscal responsibility.

Catto said the public has put a priority on two issues - implementing a county manager form of government and improving the quality of life in the county, both through economic development and revitalization of the neighborhoods.

He said he has been an advocate for a county manager for a while and will continue to address the issues important to his constituents if given the opportunity.

“It was an honor being elected,” Catto said. “I consider this a great honor that I have received and I hope to continue.”

William Catto

Age: 68

Job: Retired, former county director of health and human services, former head of city of Auburn

engineering department

Education: Bachelor's and master's from Cornell University, master's in environmental engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, two fellowships for public administration at Syracuse University

Political experience: Cayuga County legislator, 2002-06

Family: Wife, Cassie; three sons; five grandchildren

Linda Murphy

Age: 55

Job: Children's crisis coordinator at Cayuga

Counseling Services

Education: Bachelor's degree from SUNY Brockport, master's from Leslie College in Cambridge

Political experience: None

Family: Single

Staff writer Anne Gleason can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or at anne.gleason@lee.net