Jackie Smith was born and raised in the community, and is a graduate of Brockport High School ’89. She was appointed to the Town Board last February. She and her husband, Kevin, have three children and she has been an employee of Wegmans Food Markets for 23 years.
“I’m excited to continue the hard work I’ve started on the town board,” Jackie says of her decision to run. She says additionally, her priority will be advocating for and serving the residents of Clarkson. “I am dedicated to preserving individual rights and will be an integral and responsive representative for the people of Clarkson. I represent transparency in our town, I am open to any and all residents to call me, email me or stop by and discuss what’s on your mind.”
The most important issues facing Clarkson, Smith says, are keeping taxes low and maintaining the town’s rural heritage.
“We need to make sure the services we provide are what our residents need and want,” she explains, “and that they are met with satisfaction.”
Maintaining minimal tax rate increases in light of increasing costs is crucial, she says. “As a whole, the town has worked hard to decrease spending. I realize that keeping our town taxes low is important to ensuring Clarkson is an affordable place in which to live,” she says.
Councilperson Smith says she understands that the vision of Clarkson residents is to keep the town’s rural character.
“My goal is to foster a balanced, diversified and sustainable local economy that contributes to our residents’ quality of life,” Smith says. “I’m committed to working hard toward a balanced use of land that respects the environment, private property rights, and the safeguarding of our community’s character.”
Smith says she and her husband love the small-town, neighborly feel of Clarkson and enjoy town parks as well as organizations like the Clarkson Historical Society.
“I am running for town council because I love where I live and want to maintain the uniqueness that makes us Clarkson,” she explains. “My experience of resolving issues within the context of the ‘bigger picture’ brings a new voice and different perspective in creating solutions for our town.”
Smith says the proposed Brook Field development issue gave her an opportunity to show residents that she makes decisions based on residents’ feedback, her experience and thought process.
“During my time on the Zoning Board, I helped develop the Mixed Hamlet Zoning for the Town of Clarkson where we worked thoroughly with the (Town’s) Comprehensive Plan – since this is the ‘blue print’ to where residents of Clarkson envision the Town’s future,” Smith says.
She realized her concerns regarding the Brook Field project – that is was too large for the community and that it would only add to traffic related problems – were the same concerns as other residents.
“After I felt I had all the information in front of me to make a sound and informed decision on behalf of Clarkson residents, I made my decision independently as a Town Board member representing my constituents,” Smith says. “When the motion was called (October 14 Town Board vote on incentive zoning application for Brook Field) it was at this time I took the knowledge of what I had heard from residents, what our Comprehensive Plan states, and the information regarding the project and voted the incentive zoning down.”
Smith has the Republican, Conservative and Independence endorsements. Her community service/volunteer work includes – active volunteer for the Veterans Memorial Park, Recreation and Parks Advisory Council, Clarkson Historical Society, Clarkson Good Neighbor Day, and Clarkson Rodeo.
Tom Trapp and his wife, Lori, have lived in Clarkson for 24 years, raising three daughters in the community, and now most of their five grandchildren also live in the town, Trapp says.
Trapp explains that he strongly believes residents and taxpayers of Clarkson need an independent representative on the Town Board and he is running because “I would like an opportunity to serve residents. I’m a people person and an active person,” he says.
His professional career as an organizer and secretary treasurer of Teamsters Local 503 has given him a leadership background, Trapp says. “I have been an advocate for working families,” he notes, and adds he has also utilized financial and budgetary skills in his profession.
One of the most important issues facing the town is development, Trapp says. In the wake of the rejection of incentive zoning for the proposed Brook Field project, Trapp feels the town must consider development proposals prudently.
“We need to maintain the rural character of the town,” Trapp says. “We need to take a look at the right projects for the community. In talking to residents, I’ve found most folks here have the same philosophy – we don’t want to be a Greece or a Henrietta – we like Clarkson.”
Trapp notes that he is open to development that is right for the town.
He enjoys living in Clarkson because there is a real sense of community in the town. “I like the friendly residents who are very neighborly,” Trapp observes.
After raising his family in Clarkson, Trapp says he feels he has roots in the community.
He is an active member of the community, he adds, and keeps aware of town-related issues, particularly those concerning the spending of taxpayer money. Trapp is an active member and former officer of the Knights of Columbus.
If elected, Trapp says he would provide that independent voice in town government, allowing residents to be heard when they feel they have an issue to bring forward.
“I am for open and transparent government that’s accessible to residents,” Trapp says.
In that vein, he would like to see the time of regular Town Board meetings changed from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Trapp says the 6 p.m. starting time is difficult for many people who want to attend meetings.
He would also like to see Town Board meetings taped and broadcast – something he says would be nice for older residents who find it difficult to get out to meetings as well as for residents who would like to be able to review a meeting if they have questions.
Additionally, Trapp says he would like to see the creation of an Ethics Board for the town. He says he is ready to stand up on behalf of residents, is fiscally conservative and will make decisions independently if elected.
Tom Trapp has the Democratic and Working Families endorsements.
