Two seek spots on Canandaigua Town Board
CANANDAIGUA — Two people with experience in Canandaigua town government are running to fill two spots on the Town Board.
Republicans John Casey and David Sauter are running to fill the unexpired terms for two council seats.
Typically, a Town Board term runs four years; both are running for one-year terms this year and would run again next year for a full term. Councilmembers are set to make $5,532 in 2023.
Republican Jared Simpson had one year left on his council term before he won election last November for the town supervisor job. Councilmember Karen DeMay was appointed to the board in his place and is serving out the end of this year but is not running for re-election. The late Councilman Gary Davis, who died earlier in the year, also had one year left on his term. His seat was not filled.
Canandaigua town candidates
Casey served on the town Zoning Board of Appeals for seven years, and is currently chairman of the town ordinance committee. Now retired, he worked nearly 35 years in the private sector, about 25 of those at the executive level of management in the construction industry.
Casey has been a paraplegic since an accident in 2013 and uses a wheelchair.
“It took me a few years after that accident for me to learn how to live all over again,” Casey said. “Once I’ve gotten over that hurdle, I’m looking to expanding my horizons and giving back through political efforts.”
Sauter has worked in the pharmaceutical industry since 1979. He and wife Dr. Margaret Hollister, a retired pediatrician, operate a farm. He has served on the town’s trails and parks and recreation committees, and currently serves on its affordable housing committee.
Sauter said he knows the workings of the town, which is headed in such a good direction.
“I'd just like to keep that momentum going," Sauter said. “I hope I have that insight of the people of the town of Canandaigua and represent them the way they want to be represented.”
Canandaigua Lake, quality-of-life issues
Clean water is a big issue for Sauter as is the continued protection of Canandaigua Lake. He’d like to explore strategies that can be put in place to protect against blue-green algae blooms in the lake.
As a bicyclist who said he logs between 3,000 and 5,000 miles a year, he would like to work collaboratively with the city of Canandaigua and other towns in the county on plans to get dedicated bike lanes on roads to make the community more accessible.
“I think there’s a health benefit and an environmental benefit,” Sauter said.
Casey, too, said he recognizes the importance of lake protection and fought very hard on the ordinance committee to pass a scenic view ordinance. Preserving Canandaigua’s quality of life and agricultural nature also are especially important now, he said.
Because Canandaigua is one of the few areas in the state that continues to experience growth, Casey said his corporate experience lends itself very well to helping manage that growth in a way that is beneficial to the community — and not just the town.
“Working collaboratively is going to be of benefit for the entire community, not just one entity, the city or the town,” Casey said. “What’s good for the city is good for the town in most instances, I believe.”
How to vote in Ontario County
Early voting in Ontario County begins Saturday, Oct. 29, and continues through Sunday, Nov. 6, at three sites: the Board of Elections Office, 74 Ontario St., Canandaigua; Victor Town Hall, 85 E. Main St., Victor; and Geneva Housing Authority Main Office, 41 Lewis St., Geneva.
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: John Casey, David Sauter seek spots on Canandaigua Town Board
