Letters From Our Supporters:
I was Chair of the Legislature when Mike Lane represented his Dryden district on the County Legislature for twelve years, nine of those as its Vice-Chair. This experience gave me considerable opportunity to work closely with him. As a result, I came to know him well, and to respect his ability for hard-work, sound judgment and leadership.
Mike has many years of experience serving in many positions in local government. I felt that I could depend on him, and, therefore I appointed him to lead several important committees of the Legislature. He never shied away from hard work or difficult issues. Mike always carried out his responsibilities dependably and with good judgment. The welfare of his Dryden constituency always was foremost in his mind, as was the welfare of the entire county.
I strongly urge the voters in his Dryden district to return him to the County Legislature. He will represent you well.
Stuart Stein
Town of Ithaca
Dryden voters can make a strong Town Board even stronger, by electing Simon St. Laurent and re-electing Jason Leifer for the next four years. At tonight's “Meet the Candidates” event, they were the most knowledgeable and prepared. They had specific, practical ideas for every issue raised: preparing for gas drilling, increasing the tax base to stabilize taxes, and improving broadband and cell service townwide.
Jason has worked tirelessly on the board for two years; this would be his first full term. A lawyer, he helped write the new local law granting an exemption on property tax assessments for the value of capital improvements made to one's home. Jason's also been managing the town's community centers grants and working on a small business loan initiative.
Simon's volunteer service has included being a trustee of the Dryden Town Historical Society and a “master chef” for Varna's pancake breakfasts. His popular blog, http://livingindryden.org/, shows great knowledge about every corner of Dryden. A top priority for Simon is supporting agriculture, saying we need to encourage a more diverse agricultural economy and stimulate the demand for local foods.
For experience plus new energy, vote for Jason and Simon.
Martha Robertson
Town of Dryden
Lately, I find myself less and less interested in candidates who talk the talk and more and more interested in legislators who do the work. Ideology has its place in columns and debates, but what counts in the long run is electing someone who will show up for the meetings, represent the district, and make government work for the people.
This takes time, and it takes energy. Few people understand the commitment before they take the oath of office. Mike Lane gets it as few people do, not just because he's served as a trustee, a mayor, and a legislator, but also because he's honestly fascinated by the hard work of governing and happy dealing with the critical details that make our county run.
No one can better represent Dryden and Freeville, because no one knows the district better than Mike. He knows its people and its history, and he has a vision for its future that is practical, not abstract. I'm grateful that he has chosen to run again; the legislature can use his common sense and expertise, and I know that he will give Dryden and Freeville a strong, effective voice in the tough decisions ahead.
Kathy Zahler
Town of Dryden
I urge the voters of the Town of Dryden to support the Democratic slate on November 3. Mike Lane has served his constituents well for 12 years on the County Legislature and needs to be elected again.
Jason Leifer as Town Councilman has given countless hours to assure that the needs of the citizens are met by working to expand broadband and assist local business. Jason has only served one year, but has demonstrated his strong commitment to public service and deserves a full four-year term to continue the work on the behalf of local concerns.
Simon St. Laurent has volunteered countless hours to support the Varna Community Center. Through his blog ÒLiving in DrydenÓ,his regular attendance at Town Board meetings, past trustee of the Dryden Historical Society and present chairing of an effort to reduce impacts of rising energy costs, he has demonstrated his commitment to hit the ground running working for Dryden.
We have a fine slate of candidates; that is why I will vote Democratic on November 3. I urge others to do the same.
James Skaley
Town of Dryden
In my opinion, if ever there was a man for and of his community, it is Mike Lane. In this year of disillusion with the politicians on so many levels, how fortunate we are to have a public servant like Mike, a gentle man of integrity about whom we know we will hear no scandal. A hard worker, already familiar with village, town, and county issues, he will hit the ground running. Mike has no hidden agenda, no rigid ideology. His goal is a better future for our entire community. He is friendly and accessible. Come on, people. How lucky can we get?
Millie Sherwood
Village of Freeville
Mike Lane has the practical experience and common sense we need working for Dryden on the County Legislature. Since returning to his hometown after law school, Mike has shown his commitment to public service in his law practice, his Sertoma Club membership and his years of service as Mayor and County Legislator.
The County Legislature affects our lives every day with law enforcement, health department oversight and highway maintenance. The legislature also affects our future with emergency planning, economic development and environmental protection. As Mayor and County Legislator Mike has worked to find and implement the best answers to our challenges. He understands the immediate priorities of public safety and transportation as well as the long range importance of investing in small business development and farmland and environmental protection. He has never shied away from difficult budget decisions needed to protect taxpayers from undue burdens.
Join me in voting to return Mike Lane to the Tompkins County Legislature. We need his experience and dedication working for us.
Mary Ann Sumner
Dryden Town Supervisor
I support the re-election of Jason Leifer to the Dryden Town Board. During his time on the board Jason has proved through words, actions and accessibility his solid commitment to our town and its residents.
As a member of the Dryden Recreation Commission, I am especially impressed with Jason's work on behalf of the community centers in our area, seeking out grants that have led to important capital improvements. If you live in the Town of Dryden, please join me Nov. 3 in re-electing this hardworking, thoughtful citizen to the Dryden Town Board.
Monica Knight
Village of Dryden
Like me, Jason Leifer is a practicing attorney who lives in Dryden. In addition to his busy life with his two young children and his law practice, Jason is a hard-working, active member of Dryden's town board. He constantly impresses me with his understanding of town government and his ability to get things done, whether it's finding and managing grant money or passing a real property tax assessment exemption for people who make home improvements but don't want to face the usual immediate burden of reassessment and higher taxes.
Jason's ideas about maintaining Dryden's independence in land-use issues also impress me, and his goals are important to all of us in this era of gas drilling and the necessity for more cell towers. I hope that everyone in the Town of Dryden will join me in returning Jason Leifer to the town board on Nov. 3.
Kelly A. Damm
Town of Dryden
I am glad to know that Mike Lane is running again for county legislature. Mike ha
s devoted his life to working for the village and town of Dryden, first as a village trustee and mayor, and later as our county legislator from District 14. Mike still regularly attends meetings of the village board, town board, and county legislature. We need Mike's expertise on the issues and his ability to get things done for the people of Dryden. On Nov. 3, please join me in voting for Mike Lane for county legislature.
Jean Fitzgibbons
Village of Dryden
Every time there's something nice or important going on in the Village or Town of Dryden, Mike Lane is there and involved. Knowing that he had been on the county legislature before, I once asked him how much time it took. He responded that a few years ago it was estimated at about 30 hours a week. He scheduled appointments at his law office around meetings.
As a retired, self-employed professional, I don't know how this dedicated man can do what he does. However, we in Dryden are certainly fortunate that he is willing to be our county legislator. He is thoughtful, careful and articulate. Please join me in voting for him.
William Tyler
Village of Dryden
Go to any festival or community function, attend any meeting, or sit on a warm summer evening listening to local music and you will find Mike Lane. This is a person who loves his community and the people in it. He knows his neighbors and the history of our town. He has experience on the Tompkins County Legislature and understands the challenges we face.
Mike Lane is someone determined to be by our sides to fight for what is best for our community. Stand by his side and support him for the legislature in November.
Bob Ellis
Village of Dryden
Why Simon St. Laurent?
The town of Dryden has been very lucky to have this quiet unassuming man and his young family living and working in our community. His passion for finding ways for community members to battle increased energy costs, maintain our agricultural strengths, combined with his love of our rich history make him an excellent candidate for our town board. We can all benefit from his thoughtful approach to the issues we face. Please join me in supporting Simon St. Laurent on November 3rd.
Wendy Martin
Village of Dryden
Voters in Dryden's legislative district 14 have a chance to elect a person of unmatched experience in local government to represent us again in the county legislature.
Who but Mike Lane has served as village trustee for two years and mayor for 10, not to mention 12 years (1994-2005) in the county legislature? When not in public office, he is often present at village, town and county board meetings, keeping up with what is going on and adding to his immense knowledge of tax and budget matters, water, sewer, solid waste and other environmental issues, intermunicipal cooperation possibilities and much else.
Mike has been active in the Southworth Library, the Dryden Town Historical Society and Sertoma Club, among other organizations. It is difficult to imagine how many hours of hard work he has put into public service in the 30 years since he established his law practice here in his hometown. Mike is a friendly and fair-minded person who listens thoughtfully to all points of view. Please take advantage of his wealth of experience and elect Mike Lane to the legislature on Nov. 3.
Martha Ferger
Village of Dryden
As a member of Dryden’s Fire Department Ambulance Service, and having served with the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County for years, I understand how government can work for the people, and I believe that Mike Lane understands that, too. I am proud to support Mike Lane for County Legislator from District 14 in Dryden.
Mike Lane’s previous service on the County Legislature proved that he was serious, thoughtful, and fiscally responsible. I trust him to make choices that keep us safe, maintain basic services, and protect our most vulnerable citizens. Mike will never forget the people he represents, and he will always do what’s best for Dryden and Tompkins County. Elect Mike Lane on November 3.
Fred Gentz
Village of Dryden
I urge the citizens of Dryden to vote for Simon St. Laurent and Jason Leifer for Town Board. When I choose a person for my representative, I want someone willing to spend the energy and the immense time it takes to understand all aspects of the issues. Both Simon and Jason have proved they can do it.
I have watched for years as Simon tirelessly shows up at each town meeting, documenting the discussions in words and pictures on his website, livingindryden.org, and asks key questions that need to be raised. He freely volunteers his time getting to know his neighbors and community better, including efforts with the Dryden Historical Society and the Varna Community Center, among others. He loves to think through issues with anyone and everyone. Good decisions come from thorough understanding of the issues, and Simon takes the time to talk to people and develop that knowledge. His fellow candidate, current town board member Jason Leifer, has made major contributions as our representative, bringing in development block grants, grants for rural broadband access, and funding for community centers.
Electing Simon St. Laurent and re-electing Jason Leifer to the town board are the best things we citizens can do to keep Dryden a wonderful community.
David Weinstein
Town of Dryden
Simon St. Laurent is a hard-working public servant. In the years I have known him, Simon has dedicated countless hours to listening to people in Dryden and responding to their concerns. In this troubled economy, we need local legislators who will take the time to gather information and base decisions on our local situation. Simon is who we need. His ideas make sense: he wants to encourage local agriculture, to focus on bringing the internet to rural customers and to aid local economic development by attracting jobs that will employ local people on a long-term basis.
By taking time to listen and base decisions on fact, not view, Simon will help us all share the pain so we can later share the recovery. By giving everyone a fair hearing, Simon will ensure we all have a say in how our increasingly limited public resources can be used to better Dryden for all of us. I hope you will join me in voting for Simon St. Laurent on November 3.
Liam G. B. Murphy
Town of Dryden
