AUBURN - Patrick Mahunik remembers helping his grandparents run for the Cayuga County Legislature back in the 1980s, going door to door and attending campaign events.
“I never understood why they put all that time and effort into it before,” said the 32-year-old Onondaga-Cortland-Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services assistant principal on running for public office. “But now that I have kids I'm looking at everything differently.”
Mahunik, who at one point never envisioned a life in politics, is following the family tradition this year and running for county Legislature in District 12, which encompasses the southeast corner of Auburn. Mahunik is the Democratic, Conservative and Independent candidate and is facing Republican candidate Thomas McKellop in the November 6 election.
Mahunik, like his entire family - his parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles - is a lifelong resident of Auburn. He wants the same for his children, and is committed to making Auburn and Cayuga County a place in which they - and their generation - would like to remain.
“I want my kids to stay in this area,” he said. “I can sit back and complain and say 'You're doing everything wrong,' or I could do something about what's going on and what the future's going to hold for this county. It's time to put up or shut up and get involved, make this a better place.”
For him. the way to make this a better place is by showcasing what's unique about Auburn and Cayuga County.
“I think we've got to embellish our natural beauty and the stuff we already have here instead of trying to make the city and the county something it's not,” he said. “All we have to do is look around and see the history that's here, the beauty that's here and embrace it and bring it out and let other people know.”
This includes preserving Owasco Lake, Lake Ontario at Fair Haven and Cayuga Lake.
“We are the only place in the county that's got this,” he said. “We have to get the word out there. We have to take care of it.”
Preservation for Mahunik is anything from filtering out the phosphorus coming from Groton which causes, among other things, lower quality drinking water and increased seaweed to repairing the major arteries of travel to Owasco Lake.
“I'd like to see the corridor going up to the lake from the Arterial to the city limits get cleaned up,” he said. “If Owasco Lake is the showcase in this town we have a poor frame for our showcase because once you turn down John Street and go down Owasco Road, you see abandoned houses, you see dilapidated houses, the road is in terrible shape.”
Cooperation between the city and the county, he said, could lead to improvements, as would looking to secure grant money from state Sen. Michael Nozzolio.
“Albany will be much more receptive when the county and the city show that they are working together because that's what they want right now,” he said.
McKellop shares Mahunik's concern for Owasco Lake. Born and raised in Auburn, he recalled that much of his childhood was spent at the lake on his parents' boat.
“I feel quite close and concerned about Owasco Lake,” he said, pointing to the phosphate emissions, the quality of the drinking water and its future.
After witnessing a meeting held in June by Nozzolio at Emerson Park about the phosphate emissions, McKellop, who declined to disclose his age, committed himself to the issue and it prompted him to run for public office.
But Owasco Lake is not the only issue that motivated him to seek the District 12 seat. As a career and employment counselor with Westminster Presbyterian Church in Auburn. formerly with Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes, McKellop sees daily the affects of unemployment and underemployment, and wants to do something to provide the people of Cayuga County more opportunities.
“I have talked to so many people in Auburn, especially people that are perhaps discouraged and groups of people looking for employment or that are underemployed - they are unhappy with their jobs - and therefore I have an understanding of their needs and an empathy toward their concerns,” he said.
In his work, he has met people who have been downsized from the Bombardier Transportation manufacturing facility and SCHOTT North America, both in Auburn.
“I was concerned to see Bombadier, to see that plant boarded up like that and to know that those good paying jobs are leaving,” he said. “And then I've talked to those people who lost their jobs and often times they have to compromise and take a lower paying job in Auburn or they go back to school. I was so pleased to see this new BOCES open because I'm hoping that people will take advantage of the number of computer classes there.”
He noted that small businesses provide plentiful opportunities for employment, but they generally fail shortly after their advent. Not only does McKellop want to provide the support requisite to sustain small businesses, but he also wants to encourage other businesses to set up shop in Cayuga County. BOCES, he said, will provide a well-trained workforce for these businesses and bring growth to the area.
“When I saw the people that have lost their jobs not finding ones that paid well after being unemployed, and again, the Owasco Lake quality, both were concerns I thought perhaps I could make a difference,” he said. “I understand that most new jobs are created by small businesses and they need support to survive, especially in the first couple of years, so I thought I could make a difference, certainly knowing those issues and how well it's been done in Onondaga County over in Syracuse, promoting small businesses. I think Cayuga County could play the same role.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net or 253-5311 ext. 239.
Cayuga County Legislature District 12
Name: Patrick Mahunik
Age: 32
Residence: Auburn
Occupation: Assistant principal, OCM BOCES
Political Experience: Democratic Committee Member
Name: Thomas McKellop
Age: Declined to disclose
Residence: Auburn
Occupation: Independent contractor, employment counselor for Westminster Presbyterian Church, Auburn
Political Experience: Auburn Enlarged City School District school board candidate 2006.
Do you support giving the city a larger share of the overall sales tax revenue divided among municipalities? Why or why not?
Mahunik: Yes. 34 percent of Cayuga County's residents live in the City of Auburn; raising Auburn's portion of the shared revenue by .5 percent to 22 percent seems very fair and reasonable. This would improve county and city relations and ensure that they will continue to work together instead of against one another when it comes to attracting businesses to our beautiful area.
McKellop: The City of Auburn has approximately one third of the voting population of Cayuga County and pays approximately 22 percent of the tax levy. This is a complex issue and I would like to gather more facts and discuss the issue with all parties involved before taking a position on the subject.
As county legislators representing the City of Auburn, which municipality comes first, the county or Auburn?
Mahunik: I don't believe either one comes first. That is the problem with our system today, there is not enough cooperation between the two entities. I can assure voters of District 12 that I will proudly represent them and fight for what is good for our district. However, I will also use good judgment and will not support legislation which will have an overall negative impact on the many districts in the county, even if it is beneficial to District 12.
McKellop: I would first represent the people of District 12. Auburn city residents who live within Cayuga County.
What is the biggest issue facing the county, and, if elected, what will you do to address it?
Mahunik: There are many important issues facing the county at this time. I believe that one of the most important is protecting our most beautiful and valuable resource, Owasco Lake and the many watersheds in our county. I will work with state, federal and local agencies to assure that these sources of drinking water and recreation will be available for future generations to enjoy.
McKellop: Facing Cayuga County is the important issues of supporting the growth of new small businesses and to create good paying jobs. I support the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Cayuga Community College and the job development ideas outlined in the “Call to Action Blueprint” recommendations developed by community leaders.
Where do you stand on trying to negotiate a settlement with the Cayuga Indian Nation of New York?
Mahunik: Trying to negotiate and supporting one are two different things. The state of New York can try to negotiate any settlement they want. As a county legislator, I will not support any settlement which takes thousands of acres of land off the tax rolls and gives any group an unfair business advantage. We need to protect our small business and property owners.
McKellop: I agree with the Cayuga County Legislature's decision not to support a casino with the Cayuga Indian Nation of New York. I do not believe that giving tax-free land to a specific group is in the best interest of residents in Cayuga County. Job growth is best supported by helping small businesses develop and grow in our county.
Critique the county's handling of the illegal asbestos removal scandal at the Board of Elections building.
Mahunik: It was handled terribly ... First and foremost, is that the current leadership felt so little compassion for human life that they would attempt to try moving it illegally in the first place, putting more lives at risk. Secondly, is the manner in which people who were placed at risk were handled afterwards. The county should have immediately taken responsibility for their actions and gotten all people potentially exposed to this harmful substance all of the assistance they needed, instead of withholding information and trying to develop a damage control plan.
McKellop: The illegal asbestos removal is currently before the courts. The legislative chairman will likely have to testify Oct. 29 and I reserve any judgment until after the court proceedings.
Mahunik, who at one point never envisioned a life in politics, is following the family tradition this year and running for county Legislature in District 12, which encompasses the southeast corner of Auburn. Mahunik is the Democratic, Conservative and Independent candidate and is facing Republican candidate Thomas McKellop in the November 6 election.
Mahunik, like his entire family - his parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles - is a lifelong resident of Auburn. He wants the same for his children, and is committed to making Auburn and Cayuga County a place in which they - and their generation - would like to remain.
“I want my kids to stay in this area,” he said. “I can sit back and complain and say 'You're doing everything wrong,' or I could do something about what's going on and what the future's going to hold for this county. It's time to put up or shut up and get involved, make this a better place.”
For him. the way to make this a better place is by showcasing what's unique about Auburn and Cayuga County.
“I think we've got to embellish our natural beauty and the stuff we already have here instead of trying to make the city and the county something it's not,” he said. “All we have to do is look around and see the history that's here, the beauty that's here and embrace it and bring it out and let other people know.”
This includes preserving Owasco Lake, Lake Ontario at Fair Haven and Cayuga Lake.
“We are the only place in the county that's got this,” he said. “We have to get the word out there. We have to take care of it.”
Preservation for Mahunik is anything from filtering out the phosphorus coming from Groton which causes, among other things, lower quality drinking water and increased seaweed to repairing the major arteries of travel to Owasco Lake.
“I'd like to see the corridor going up to the lake from the Arterial to the city limits get cleaned up,” he said. “If Owasco Lake is the showcase in this town we have a poor frame for our showcase because once you turn down John Street and go down Owasco Road, you see abandoned houses, you see dilapidated houses, the road is in terrible shape.”
Cooperation between the city and the county, he said, could lead to improvements, as would looking to secure grant money from state Sen. Michael Nozzolio.
“Albany will be much more receptive when the county and the city show that they are working together because that's what they want right now,” he said.
McKellop shares Mahunik's concern for Owasco Lake. Born and raised in Auburn, he recalled that much of his childhood was spent at the lake on his parents' boat.
“I feel quite close and concerned about Owasco Lake,” he said, pointing to the phosphate emissions, the quality of the drinking water and its future.
After witnessing a meeting held in June by Nozzolio at Emerson Park about the phosphate emissions, McKellop, who declined to disclose his age, committed himself to the issue and it prompted him to run for public office.
But Owasco Lake is not the only issue that motivated him to seek the District 12 seat. As a career and employment counselor with Westminster Presbyterian Church in Auburn. formerly with Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes, McKellop sees daily the affects of unemployment and underemployment, and wants to do something to provide the people of Cayuga County more opportunities.
“I have talked to so many people in Auburn, especially people that are perhaps discouraged and groups of people looking for employment or that are underemployed - they are unhappy with their jobs - and therefore I have an understanding of their needs and an empathy toward their concerns,” he said.
In his work, he has met people who have been downsized from the Bombardier Transportation manufacturing facility and SCHOTT North America, both in Auburn.
“I was concerned to see Bombadier, to see that plant boarded up like that and to know that those good paying jobs are leaving,” he said. “And then I've talked to those people who lost their jobs and often times they have to compromise and take a lower paying job in Auburn or they go back to school. I was so pleased to see this new BOCES open because I'm hoping that people will take advantage of the number of computer classes there.”
He noted that small businesses provide plentiful opportunities for employment, but they generally fail shortly after their advent. Not only does McKellop want to provide the support requisite to sustain small businesses, but he also wants to encourage other businesses to set up shop in Cayuga County. BOCES, he said, will provide a well-trained workforce for these businesses and bring growth to the area.
“When I saw the people that have lost their jobs not finding ones that paid well after being unemployed, and again, the Owasco Lake quality, both were concerns I thought perhaps I could make a difference,” he said. “I understand that most new jobs are created by small businesses and they need support to survive, especially in the first couple of years, so I thought I could make a difference, certainly knowing those issues and how well it's been done in Onondaga County over in Syracuse, promoting small businesses. I think Cayuga County could play the same role.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net or 253-5311 ext. 239.
Cayuga County Legislature District 12
Name: Patrick Mahunik
Age: 32
Residence: Auburn
Occupation: Assistant principal, OCM BOCES
Political Experience: Democratic Committee Member
Name: Thomas McKellop
Age: Declined to disclose
Residence: Auburn
Occupation: Independent contractor, employment counselor for Westminster Presbyterian Church, Auburn
Political Experience: Auburn Enlarged City School District school board candidate 2006.
Do you support giving the city a larger share of the overall sales tax revenue divided among municipalities? Why or why not?
Mahunik: Yes. 34 percent of Cayuga County's residents live in the City of Auburn; raising Auburn's portion of the shared revenue by .5 percent to 22 percent seems very fair and reasonable. This would improve county and city relations and ensure that they will continue to work together instead of against one another when it comes to attracting businesses to our beautiful area.
McKellop: The City of Auburn has approximately one third of the voting population of Cayuga County and pays approximately 22 percent of the tax levy. This is a complex issue and I would like to gather more facts and discuss the issue with all parties involved before taking a position on the subject.
As county legislators representing the City of Auburn, which municipality comes first, the county or Auburn?
Mahunik: I don't believe either one comes first. That is the problem with our system today, there is not enough cooperation between the two entities. I can assure voters of District 12 that I will proudly represent them and fight for what is good for our district. However, I will also use good judgment and will not support legislation which will have an overall negative impact on the many districts in the county, even if it is beneficial to District 12.
McKellop: I would first represent the people of District 12. Auburn city residents who live within Cayuga County.
What is the biggest issue facing the county, and, if elected, what will you do to address it?
Mahunik: There are many important issues facing the county at this time. I believe that one of the most important is protecting our most beautiful and valuable resource, Owasco Lake and the many watersheds in our county. I will work with state, federal and local agencies to assure that these sources of drinking water and recreation will be available for future generations to enjoy.
McKellop: Facing Cayuga County is the important issues of supporting the growth of new small businesses and to create good paying jobs. I support the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Cayuga Community College and the job development ideas outlined in the “Call to Action Blueprint” recommendations developed by community leaders.
Where do you stand on trying to negotiate a settlement with the Cayuga Indian Nation of New York?
Mahunik: Trying to negotiate and supporting one are two different things. The state of New York can try to negotiate any settlement they want. As a county legislator, I will not support any settlement which takes thousands of acres of land off the tax rolls and gives any group an unfair business advantage. We need to protect our small business and property owners.
McKellop: I agree with the Cayuga County Legislature's decision not to support a casino with the Cayuga Indian Nation of New York. I do not believe that giving tax-free land to a specific group is in the best interest of residents in Cayuga County. Job growth is best supported by helping small businesses develop and grow in our county.
Critique the county's handling of the illegal asbestos removal scandal at the Board of Elections building.
Mahunik: It was handled terribly ... First and foremost, is that the current leadership felt so little compassion for human life that they would attempt to try moving it illegally in the first place, putting more lives at risk. Secondly, is the manner in which people who were placed at risk were handled afterwards. The county should have immediately taken responsibility for their actions and gotten all people potentially exposed to this harmful substance all of the assistance they needed, instead of withholding information and trying to develop a damage control plan.
McKellop: The illegal asbestos removal is currently before the courts. The legislative chairman will likely have to testify Oct. 29 and I reserve any judgment until after the court proceedings.
The Citizens' Say
There are No comments posted.