A pair of candidates who have worked together on the Owasco Town Board for almost two years are battling to be the town's supervisor for the next two years.
The Citizen file photo
Current Owasco Town Supervisor John Klink, left, is running for re-election against town board member Ed Wagner.
Current Owasco Town Supervisor John Klink, left, is running for re-election against town board member Ed Wagner.
Incumbent Supervisor John Klink, the Democratic and Independence party candidate, faces a challenge this year from Ed Wagner, who is running on the Republican and Conservative lines.
Klink, who served on the town board for 27 years before becoming supervisor, said he inherited a laundry list of issues from previous administrations when he took office after winning the election of 2007. Antiquated sewer lines, flooding basements, Department of Environmental Conservation violations, zoning and personnel issues crowded his plate.
Wagner came on the scene two years ago. He quickly began crunching numbers and raised his concerns over balancing the budget. He said he worked on improving the trash collection system, including the recycling center, to increase revenues. His focus, he said, is cost management.
Perspectives on the budget clearly separate the two.
Wagner said his first priority is “a complete overview of services provided to Owasco residents, aligning residents' needs with present and future plans, Vigilance in reasonable and equitable cost management is needed.”
Klink said the town's finances are strong after his first two years as supervisor, citing a good auditor's report for 2008.
The candidates gave different reasons for running.
As a teacher, Klink enjoyed public service and wants to continue in that mode on the town board.
“The grass roots of politics is where one is able to get little things done for people on a daily basis,” he said.
Wagner said he is running for supervisor to bring change to town government.
“I'm running for supervisor to make sure that the overhaul is instituted along with a belief that all residents are obligated to contribute to the running of their municipality at some level,” he said.
Klink said his greatest contribution as supervisor came after the state Department of Environmental Conservation's consent order was issued in January 2008 to stop Archie Street and Melrose Road sewer system overflows, a situation that the town had been handling by pumping untreated sewer water into a creek so it wouldn't back up into people's homes.
Klink said he helped save taxpayers more than $1 million with his work to fix the sewer problem.
“I led a team of local, state and federal elected officials that ultimately applied for and received an $825,000 federal stimulus grant and an Environmental Facilities Corp. loan of 0 percent for 30 years on the remaining $775,000,” he said. “As supervisor, I have worked with the town board to make sound financial decisions and 'right the financial ship' of Owasco.”
Wagner has questioned the sewer project, and Klink's role in the past practice of pumping untreated water. He said the remediation project didn't go far enough because it did not separate storm drains from the main sewer lines.
Klink also said he was proud to be involved in hiring the Owasco Lake watershed inspector, who continues to protect and preserve Owasco Lake.
Wagner's said his contributions to the town include “representing all residents equitably and ensuring that the quality of life in Owasco is maintained or improved in a cost effective manner.” He said has reduced or avoided costs to taxpayers while maintaining or improving services during his stint as town board member. Some of his most visible work came when he questioned the operations of the town's trash and recycling operations.
Wagner's said his greatest challenge is “getting people to work together in an open and transparent manner.” He also cited tough economic conditions with a short-term forecast that doesn't seem to predict any quick rebounds.
“We cannot mortgage tomorrow, as has been done in many facets of government,” Wagner said. “That's not to say we need to hunker down with a depression mentality. We need to apply our resources effectively to maximize our returns. Life is what you choose to make of it.”
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
Meet the candidates: Owasco town supervisor
Name: John Klink (D,I)
Age: 63
Profession: Retired teacher, 35 years. Current Supervisor of the Town of Owasco
Education: Associate degree, Cayuga Community College; Bachelor's and master's degrees, SUNY-Brockport
Family status: Married 40 years, two children, 37 and 35, six grandchildren
Elected office experience: Owasco town board member since 1980; Owasco Town Supervisor since January 2008
Name: Edward Wagner (R,C)
Age: 50
Profession: Professor of health, physical education at Cayuga Community College
Education: Bachelor's and master's degrees, SUNY-Cortland.
Family status: Married with three children, 17, 10 and 5.
Elected office experience: Owasco town board member since January 2008
Klink, who served on the town board for 27 years before becoming supervisor, said he inherited a laundry list of issues from previous administrations when he took office after winning the election of 2007. Antiquated sewer lines, flooding basements, Department of Environmental Conservation violations, zoning and personnel issues crowded his plate.
Wagner came on the scene two years ago. He quickly began crunching numbers and raised his concerns over balancing the budget. He said he worked on improving the trash collection system, including the recycling center, to increase revenues. His focus, he said, is cost management.
Perspectives on the budget clearly separate the two.
Wagner said his first priority is “a complete overview of services provided to Owasco residents, aligning residents' needs with present and future plans, Vigilance in reasonable and equitable cost management is needed.”
Klink said the town's finances are strong after his first two years as supervisor, citing a good auditor's report for 2008.
The candidates gave different reasons for running.
As a teacher, Klink enjoyed public service and wants to continue in that mode on the town board.
“The grass roots of politics is where one is able to get little things done for people on a daily basis,” he said.
Wagner said he is running for supervisor to bring change to town government.
“I'm running for supervisor to make sure that the overhaul is instituted along with a belief that all residents are obligated to contribute to the running of their municipality at some level,” he said.
Klink said his greatest contribution as supervisor came after the state Department of Environmental Conservation's consent order was issued in January 2008 to stop Archie Street and Melrose Road sewer system overflows, a situation that the town had been handling by pumping untreated sewer water into a creek so it wouldn't back up into people's homes.
Klink said he helped save taxpayers more than $1 million with his work to fix the sewer problem.
“I led a team of local, state and federal elected officials that ultimately applied for and received an $825,000 federal stimulus grant and an Environmental Facilities Corp. loan of 0 percent for 30 years on the remaining $775,000,” he said. “As supervisor, I have worked with the town board to make sound financial decisions and 'right the financial ship' of Owasco.”
Wagner has questioned the sewer project, and Klink's role in the past practice of pumping untreated water. He said the remediation project didn't go far enough because it did not separate storm drains from the main sewer lines.
Klink also said he was proud to be involved in hiring the Owasco Lake watershed inspector, who continues to protect and preserve Owasco Lake.
Wagner's said his contributions to the town include “representing all residents equitably and ensuring that the quality of life in Owasco is maintained or improved in a cost effective manner.” He said has reduced or avoided costs to taxpayers while maintaining or improving services during his stint as town board member. Some of his most visible work came when he questioned the operations of the town's trash and recycling operations.
Wagner's said his greatest challenge is “getting people to work together in an open and transparent manner.” He also cited tough economic conditions with a short-term forecast that doesn't seem to predict any quick rebounds.
“We cannot mortgage tomorrow, as has been done in many facets of government,” Wagner said. “That's not to say we need to hunker down with a depression mentality. We need to apply our resources effectively to maximize our returns. Life is what you choose to make of it.”
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
Meet the candidates: Owasco town supervisor
Name: John Klink (D,I)
Age: 63
Profession: Retired teacher, 35 years. Current Supervisor of the Town of Owasco
Education: Associate degree, Cayuga Community College; Bachelor's and master's degrees, SUNY-Brockport
Family status: Married 40 years, two children, 37 and 35, six grandchildren
Elected office experience: Owasco town board member since 1980; Owasco Town Supervisor since January 2008
Name: Edward Wagner (R,C)
Age: 50
Profession: Professor of health, physical education at Cayuga Community College
Education: Bachelor's and master's degrees, SUNY-Cortland.
Family status: Married with three children, 17, 10 and 5.
Elected office experience: Owasco town board member since January 2008
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bizzaro-world wrote on Oct 25, 2009 4:24 PM: