Monroe County Legislature
Candidate for Monroe County Legislature District 2
Jackie Smith
My name is Jackie Smith, and I am running for my second term as Monroe County Legislator representing District 2, which encompasses the Towns of Clarkson, Hamlin, the west side of Sweden, and the Village of Brockport. I was born and raised in this community. This community is where my husband, Kevin, and I chose to stay and raise our family. I am a graduate of Brockport High School, MCC, and SUNY Empire with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Economics. I am also a 30-year employee of Wegmans Food Markets.
I have always been very active in our community. I’ve served as Girl Scout Leader, Rec Coach, BHS Booster Board Member, Clarkson Recreation Advisory Member, Clarkson Historical Society Treasurer, Zoning Board Member for seven years, Clarkson Town Board Member for six years, and Chair of Clarkson Veterans Park and Good Neighbor Day Committees.
I was proud to earn your vote two years ago to be your voice at the County, and I have worked hard on your behalf by cutting the property tax rate, protecting small businesses and jobs during COVID, and hosting mask and food/hygiene drives to help our neighbors in need. I also co-sponsored two local laws to protect residents’ health and safety through the Narcan Notification Local Law and Carrie Ray 3 Foot Law
As your County Legislator, I will build upon my record of cutting taxes, helping our community, and strengthening public safety. I am dedicated to our community and would be honored to have your vote on Election Day.
Jackie Smith
Candidate for Monroe County Legislature District 19
Sherita Traywick
My name is Sherita Traywick and I am running for the Monroe County Legislature, District 19 (Greece, Parma)
My top priorities are helping rebuild from the pandemic, connecting people to jobs, strengthening our healthcare system, relief for small businesses, and public safety.
My husband, Richard, and I are longtime residents of Greece, our children attend Greece Schools, I am an elected member of the Greece School Board, and I care about our community.
As your County Legislator, I will use my 20+ years of legal, government, and nonprofit experience to connect people to the many job opportunities that are available. I will continue to advocate for livable wages, resources for childcare, and relief for small businesses. I will continue my work within our communities to create opportunities for the community and law enforcement to work together to ensure our safety. I will also work to strengthen our healthcare system and support our healthcare workers to ensure we have enough staff and resources to keep our communities healthy and COVID-free.
I thank you for your time and consideration and ask for your vote on November 2.
To learn more, please visit www.votetraywick.com.
Sherita Traywick
Candidate for Monroe County Legislature District 20
Robert Colby
This year, I am running to be elected County Legislator for District 20. Public service has always run deep in my family’s history – every generation of the Colby family has served this community in some governmental capacity. My family brought their life here in 1802 with the opening of Colby Homestead Farms, where I currently work as Co-Owner/Vice-President. I’m grateful to have served our community over the years in a number of roles including: County Legislator, Member of Ogden Chamber of Commerce and Master Planning Committee, Founding Member of the Spencerport Youth Hall of Fame, and President of the Monroe County Farm Bureau. In less formal roles, I’m proud to be an active member of the First Congregational Church of Spencerport and several local non-profits such as Heritage Christian Services. This community has given so much to me and my family – and this community deserves so much in return.
I am proud of all that we have been able to accomplish, from cutting taxes and strengthening public safety to bolstering small business. As your County Legislator, I will continue working to keep more money in the pockets of taxpayers, protect our families, and support our local small businesses. I look forward to seeing all that we will accomplish for the betterment of our neighbors.
For more information on my record of results or about me, please visit RobertColby.org.
Robert Colby
Candidate for Monroe County Legislature District 20
Jaime Erskine-Pettit
Now is the time for the next generation of leadership for our community. I’m Jaime Erskine-Pettit, and I’m running for Monroe County Legislature to represent Ogden, Sweden, and parts of Greece. Like many of you, I’m not a politician; rather, I’m a hardworking resident looking for accountability in our government. I’m an active, working mom of a blended family; I’m the wife of a veteran, and I was raised by a single mom. I’m a healthcare provider, a founder of a local non-profit, and a granddaughter of an immigrant. I relate to and understand the diversity that exists within our community and the varying needs that local government must serve. I value family, personal responsibility, and the role community plays in our lives.
In 2012, my family experienced the tragic loss of our son, Drake Ross Pettit. Within a year of his death, we founded the non-profit Dreams from Drake, which supports grieving families who have lost a sibling or parent. This experience tapped into a strength that I never knew I had. I have the strength and determination to serve our community’s needs as a county legislator. I will provide the necessary leadership and support to transform our community from surviving to thriving.
I am committed to the growth and success of Monroe County. I will push for budget allocation, laws, and policies that positively affect the lives of the people who want to raise families, work, run a business, and/or receive an education in our county. I want Monroe County to be the kind of place that future generations will want to call home. It would be my privilege to serve as your next county legislator. I would greatly appreciate your vote. Please visit voteJEP.com for more information or follow my journey on FB at facebook.com/jerskinepettit.
Jaime Erskine-Pettit
Town of Clarkson
Candidate for Clarkson Town Supervisor
William Fine
I am running for Clarkson town supervisor because I believe we can make government responsible to the needs of the citizens in an open, transparent manner. Over the past few years we have seen distrust in government grow. People feel helpless and insecure; they have a sense of disconnect from their government. All this contributes to the anger we see as hate crimes have climbed across the country. This is not just a national issue, as we have seen in local school board meetings and political signs posted around town; the anger is palpable. As a fiscal conservative, government is responsible to the citizens it serves in a respectable manner allowing citizens to provide for themselves. That is how citizens can respect and be part of their government.
I am a combat Vietnam Veteran, giving me a unique set of leadership skills, including the need for clear communication and the importance of teamwork. As a Registered Nurse working at night on an orthopedic surgical floor, competent decision making was a critical component of my job; people’s lives depended on my judgement.
I also bring a vision to expand the tax base of Clarkson that maintains its rural characteristics. That is a major reason why we need high speed internet and broadband. It is a major goal to bring town water supply to those who want it and improve town infrastructure. That will attract new businesses, expanding our tax base.
I ask for your vote to make government work for you. Thank you.
William Fine
Candidate for Clarkson Town Supervisor
Christa L. Filipowicz
As I seek my second term as Clarkson Supervisor, I wanted to thank our residents for having confidence in my experience and abilities to lead the town. I’ve met so many of you and appreciate those who stop by the Town Hall to share ideas.
No one could have expected or been prepared for the COVID pandemic and the many challenges it brought, but I am so proud of how our employees found new ways to work and how our community found new ways to deliver their services. We’ve worked together and accomplished a lot.
I’m also proud of the lucrative Community Host Agreements with solar companies that are nearing $1 million, earmarked for the renovation of the historic Town Hall. This money will go toward ADA compliance, roofing, HVAC, drinking water, and bathrooms. In addition, we received $780K from the American Rescue Plan which provides for costly sewer and storm water updates.
We await grant results from Rural Development to bring water to remaining areas in the town without public water. With these revenue streams, town taxes should not be needed for these projects.
I also would like to acknowledge the service of Town Board members Patrick Didas and Alan Hoy who will be retiring December 31. Both of these men are examples of pure altruism, in my opinion the best trait there is for those in public service.
I will continue to work hard for all Clarkson residents and would appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve as Clarkson Supervisor.
Christa L. Filipowicz
Candidate for Clarkson Town Board
John Culhane
My wife, Sarah, and I moved to Clarkson in 1996. Our decision was partially based on my experience working as the Front-End Manager at Wegmans in Brockport. I’d worked at several stores by then and noticed the customers and employees were some of the friendliest and hardworking I had encountered. It was the kind of community that I wanted to raise my family in.
My career at Wegmans began in the warehouse. After graduating from Geneseo with a bachelor’s in management, I worked in the stores for five years. The rest of my 38 years have been in Operations Support, Marketing, Pharmacy, Risk Management, and Human Resources. I have extensive budgeting, forecasting, analysis, and management experience that I believe will allow me to provide valuable input serving on the Clarkson Town Board.
I am a fiscal conservative and strong believer in servant leadership. I served 14 years on the board of Camp Koinonia, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening families, including four years as President.
A graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy, a community outreach program, I have established relationships with valuable community resources in the alumni organization.
In March 2020, I became a Planning Board member, and I’ve enjoyed serving in this role. This inspired me to find more ways to make a difference in the Clarkson community.
I am running for one of the two open Town Board positions to give back to this great rural community that I have been blessed to be a part of. I’d be honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Clarkson Town Board and would appreciate your vote on November 2.
John Culhane
Candidate for Clarkson Town Board
Nick D’Amuro
My name is Nick D’Amuro and I am running for a seat on the Clarkson Town Board.
I was born and raised in Lewiston, just down Route 104, and attended SUNY Geneseo, where I studied history, education, political science, and was a member of the track & field team. Upon graduation in 2013, I began teaching social studies at the Holley Central School District, where I also coach varsity football and track & field. It was always my dream to serve as a teacher and coach in a small town similar to the one I grew up in, and I take pride in that work each day.
I moved to Clarkson in 2016, and quickly fell in love with the community. My wife, Alexandria, and I welcomed our daughter Ella this summer. Towns like ours are the unique backbone of American society and I am proud to call this place home for my family.
After the 2020 election and reflecting on the current political climate, I weighed a decision to run for office. I had worked on political campaigns in the past, but I wanted to make a real change in my own community.
I hold the belief that local government should be honest, transparent, and dedicated. The exceptional ideas that we are built on as a nation ask local officials to be accessible and straightforward with their constituents, which I promise I will be if elected. The swarm of national politics will always rage, and neighbors may disagree, but here in Clarkson we will seek the best course for our citizens, regardless of party affiliation.
To serve, to work, to represent you would be a wonderful privilege.
Nick D’Amuro
Candidate for Clarkson Town Board
Sheldon Meyers
I previously served from 2008-2011 but chose not to run for a second term because of job and family priorities. Back then, I was able to gain the support of enough Republicans, Democrats, and Independents to win a seat on the board, and I did not disappoint them. Now that my kids are out on their own, I’d like to serve again.
My record shows that I have always had the back of the Clarkson residents and taxpayers. As a businessman and 30-year resident, I am fiscally prudent and understand what is important to town residents. In fact, during my term on the board, I was the only one who voted against raising taxes while supporting: safety – voted in support of forming the Brockport Volunteer Fire Department; keeping the town’s rural character; weeding out wasteful spending; promoting small local businesses; voted for public water projects; supported public services like quality plowing and protecting the environment.
There are several goals I am committed to working on if elected. Advocate for “Green Light” to expand into Clarkson to give Spectrum competition. Postpone the 2022 Reassessment until the market stabilizes. It is not mandated by the state, and as it stands, our home values will be determined by an abnormally high pandemic-driven market. With county support, actively pursue a buyer to restore the Garland House Restaurant. Offer a GPS Mobile App allowing residents to track plows. Also, the town has been awarded $780,000 in COVID relief funds. We would lay out the allowable expenditures for residents and encourage feedback on how it should be spent.
With two open town board seats and three candidates running, there is an opportunity to split your vote. Your support will add a board member with a strong work ethic. Please consider me on November 2.
Sheldon Meyers
Candidate for Clarkson Town Clerk
Susan Henshaw
My name is Susan Henshaw and I am your current Clarkson Town Clerk and Tax Collector. I am a lifelong resident of our community and a graduate of Brockport High School. My husband, Paul, and I have been married 28 years and have raised our three sons, Brandon, Mitch and Tyler, right here in Clarkson.
I have been very active in school activities throughout the years, which include organizing a multitude of fundraising events along with being the former baseball and hockey booster secretary, then eventual president of both organizations. I have strong customer service, leadership, and organizational skills that helped me while working with state governors, attorneys general, members of congress and VIP’s of several large companies.
I have enjoyed serving the Clarkson Community where you have seen my passion for flowers and gardening, along with hosting the Free Rabies Clinic, Shred Day Event, or assisting in the many public events our town provides. I offer After-Hours courtesy appointments, I am a Notary Public, and I am committed to serving the residents of Clarkson with integrity, honesty, and hard work. I look forward to continuing my service to the community and I would be honored to have your vote on November 2.
Susan Henshaw
Town of Hamlin
Candidate for Hamlin Town Board
Angel Male
I am proud to be a United States Marine. After serving my country, I accepted a position consulting for Monroe County. I worked on large projects for several critical departments including Public Safety. Currently, I work at Rochester Institute of Technology as a Network Engineer, designing and supporting communications solutions across campus, budgeting and finance, and managing a team of employees.
Trent and I chose to raise our family in Hamlin. We have raised our four children to give back, to speak up for change, and to always do the right thing.
Serving has always been my passion. I have dedicated many hours to improving the communications of each Hamlin Town Department including volunteering at the Dog Shelter and Hamlin Recreation Commission. Trent and I are also a part of the VFW, giving back to our local veteran community.
Hamlin needs new ideas and a fresh perspective to meet changing times. For the past year I have attended all Town Board and Support Board meetings. As a lifelong Republican with a background in engineering, finance, and management, I can begin to tackle the challenges facing Hamlin. Honor, Courage, and Commitment are the core values of every Marine. I will always be honest with the people of Hamlin, have the courage to speak up for what is right, and commit to moving Hamlin forward. Vote Angel Male on Row C. Semper Fidelis.
Angel Male
Candidate for Hamlin Town Board
Elizabeth Maxwell
Though you know most of my opponents, I believe you deserve better than the status quo, and I would like to introduce myself. My name is Elizabeth Maxwell, and I am asking for your vote. My opponents discuss in detail what they want to accomplish. I wish to share with you what I have already accomplished. Though I am endorsed by the Working Families Party and Democratic Party, I pride myself on bipartisan advocacy in the realm of childhood early intervention. I worked with our county legislator on a traffic safety study on Route 18 at Drake Road, and I am a member of Friends of Hamlin Recreation. As a Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council member, I was instrumental in creating positive changes in local childhood early intervention programs. I was thrilled to have surveyed the people of Hamlin social media in January of 2021 and listened to your feedback (the survey is available for anyone who would like to view it). You, the people of Hamlin, responded, and I promise to work toward those things you found most important such as improving the local parks, attracting new businesses to the area, and continuing my fight to improve the lives of our children.
My educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Social and Public Policy, and I am currently pursuing my Master’s. My education and policy experience provides me with the tools to make positive changes for each of you.
Elizabeth Maxwell
Candidate for Hamlin Town Board
Jennifer Goodrich Voelkl
I’m proud that my daughter is the fifth generation in my family living on beautiful Lake Ontario where my ancestors settled almost 100 years ago. I joined the Hamlin Town Board in 2014, taking my father’s seat after he lost his battle with cancer. Although I can never fill his shoes, I’m glad that I bring a pair of heels to the table. I am a Registered Nurse; caring, listening, and advocating is my job. I enjoy gardening, music, and spending time with my family. I’m running for re-election because I want the people of Hamlin to have honest representation that considers the greater good of the community at large. I encourage all residents to take more of an active role in their town and will strive for enhanced communication. I believe Hamlin can grow while retaining its character and history. My goals for Hamlin are genuine. I want to keep this a safe, rural community with preservation of farmland, open space, and the shoreline. I believe in fiscal accountability and responsible budgeting, a balanced approach to growth and development, and pursuit of resources available to the town through grants and funding opportunities. In order to make informed, fair decisions on behalf of the community, I will continue to educate myself outside of the board room. Public service is a humbling honor. Thank you for placing your trust in me.
Jennifer Voelkl
Town of Ogden
Candidate for Ogden Town Supervisor
Mike Zale
When I first ran for office 11 years ago, my goal was simple: to serve the residents of the Town of Ogden. Since then, I’ve learned a lot more about what that really means to the people of this great town. It means simply to be available, to listen, and to allow everyone a seat at the table. After all, public service isn’t about us; it’s about serving the people we are elected to represent. This is what I have aimed for as a board member of the Spencerport Central School District, as a Monroe County Legislator, and now as an Ogden Town Board member. It is exactly what I will do as Ogden Town Supervisor.
Prior to getting involved in politics, I was a small business owner of an accounting franchise that had seven offices and 15 employees. Simultaneously, I decided to coach youth soccer and spent 13 years coaching at the high school level. Over the last ten years, I have taught business education to high school students and helped start many student-directed initiatives such as the school Bookstore, E-Sports Club, and FoodLink Mobile Food drives.
While previous experiences in public service and business have helped prepare me for this position, nothing has prepared me more to make decisions for the residents of Ogden than raising a young family of my own. My wife, Kristen, and I are raising four very energetic boys. It is the most important job I’ve ever had and ever will have, and I keep that in mind every time I make a decision for all families and residents of Ogden.
Mike Zale
Candidate for Ogden Highway Superintendent
Daniel S. Wolf
I have resided in Ogden for 28 years. My wife, Diane, and I have four children and three grandchildren. My passion for community service led me to be a volunteer firefighter with the Spencerport Fire District for 37 years, where I still serve today. I am also a member of the Spencerport Exempts, where I serve as the 2nd Vice President.
I earned the position of Highway Superintendent through special election and appointment in 2020. I worked for the Town Highway Department for 22 years prior to this position. Since then, I have brought quality services and improved relationships with the Village of Spencerport and County Work Managers to create more revenue streams for the town. Under my leadership, a Personal Protective Equipment Program has been implemented. The highway crew now has access to safety equipment and training. My commitment to training highway staff has been recognized by the NYS LTAP Center – Cornell Local Roads Program. In September 2021, Cornell recognized me along with two of my staff members for achieving Road Master Level I. I maximized the utilization of the Deputy Highway Superintendent position to improve the day-to-day operations of the highway department and make resident communication a top priority. I believe my consistency and persistent character make me a reliable public servant and that my knowledge and accumulating experience are assets to the town. As a member of this community, I support local businesses and will continue to make the residents my priority while in office.
Daniel S. Wolf
Candidate for Ogden Town Board
Crystal Benjamin-Bafford
My name is Crystal Benjamin-Bafford and I am running for a seat on the Ogden Town Board. I am proud to call Ogden my home. My three children attend Spencerport Schools, and my husband is a volunteer with the Spencerport Fire Department. I am dedicated to serving this community. I am the Immediate Past President of the Spencerport Chapter of the Kiwanis Club, an international service organization. I also volunteer with Spencerport Schools and recently served on a Town of Ogden Committee that developed a new policy relating to the Ogden Police Department.
My professional expertise relates to public administration and community planning. I believe that my background and professional experience would truly be an asset to the Town of Ogden. Many of us have watched as this community has transformed from a quaint, rural town to one which now attracts major housing developments, solar fields, and commercial development. This type of growth needs leadership and vision. Pulling from both my personal and professional experience, I am ready to help shape a vision for our community that will allow us to grow sensibly while still maintaining the Town of Ogden as a place that we are all proud to call home.
I value collaboration and open communication. I believe that Town government should strive to be inclusive and transparent, and that it should place a high value on the voices of local residents. It would truly be an honor to represent you on the Ogden Town Board. I would be grateful to receive your vote on November 2. If you would like more information about me, please visit: https://www.crystalforogden.com/.
Crystal Benjamin-Bafford
Candidate for Ogden Town Board
Josh Hinman
I decided to run to represent the town within which I was born, grew up, and am now raising my own family. I have served on Ogden’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) for many years and would like to further my service to the town in this new role.
Growing up in Ogden has afforded me a great perspective from which to draw upon. I’ve seen firsthand the issues that our citizens deal with, day in and day out, both as a child and now as a parent and taxpayer. I’ve served our community in a capacity that has allowed me to interact with our fellow citizens in a unique way – seeing some of their concerns and being able to address them through my decisions as a ZBA member. It also allows me to consider our town in a different light – how and why we do what we do, and the costs to our town in doing these things. These are meaningful experiences that I can bring to the table and use as we make important decisions for the residents of our town.
Serving our community is a huge part of my entire family. From my mother, Marsha Hinman, teaching for Spencerport CSD for nearly 40 years, to my public service, and my siblings and I coaching for our local sports programs, we simply serve. My wife also serves our community on the front lines as a nurse at Unity Hospital. Even my son now serves this community as a paper carrier for this very publication.
In the end, I simply want to continue to serve my town. I want to keep Ogden great and use my experiences to help lead it into the next chapter of prosperity.
Josh Hinman
Candidate for Ogden Town Board
Steven G. Toms
A lifelong resident of Ogden, I graduated in 1977 from Spencerport Central School and BOCES 2. In my senior year, I had the privilege to participate in a co-op program from BOCES to work with Wendell Castle, a renowned local artist and furniture maker.
Post-graduation, I went on to work with Wendell for five years before leaving to start a career at Eastman Kodak. Initially working as a Model Maker, I gradually migrated into IT as computers became more prevalent in the workplace. I have well over 30 years of IT, management, and project management experience in my nearly 40 years at Kodak, Carestream Health, and currently Royal Philips Health group.
My wife, Deb, and I have supported multiple Scouting events, homecoming parades, and sporting events for all three of our children while they attended Spencerport schools.
Once the last of our children graduated high school, I decided to get more involved with our town. In 2016 I joined the Ogden Republican Committee, where I quickly became interested in our local politics. In 2019 I was elected Vice Chairman of the Committee and have been attending the Ogden Town Board meetings for the past three years. This year I earned our Committee support to run for a Town Board seat.
My goals are to help maintain fiscal responsibility in the town while maintaining the level of service our residents have come to expect.
I look forward to updating our strategic plan to continue the balance of growth while maintaining the open space we’ve all come to enjoy.
Steven G. Toms
Town of Sweden
Candidate for Sweden Town Supervisor
Kevin Johnson
Our campaign slogan this year describes our community perfectly: Smart. Strong. Successful. Sweden. I could not be prouder of our team or our Town. Sweden is undeniably in a better position than it was four years ago, and we promise to do everything in our power to make it even better over the next few years.
How is Sweden better? The Town tax levy is the lowest it has been since 2018 (excluding the new water district). More people have access to public water. More people have access to public sewer. All of us have access to thousands of feet of new sidewalks. At the park, we have new restrooms, playgrounds, a lodge and splashpad. We have repaired miles of roadways and thousands of square feet of parking lots.
We have streamlined departments, upgraded our technology and equipment. We communicate with residents in more ways, more often. We rose to the pandemic challenge and kept our employees safe while providing the services residents need.
What’s next? We are building a Senior Room addition to the Community Center and a new skatepark next spring. We are exploring new water districts – in places where there is strong support and reasonable financing available. We have some aged buildings that need attention. We will update our Town Code to address new types of businesses, utilities and structures.
Sweden has momentum. It is a community that is rising. On November 2, please vote for my teammates and me so that we may continue to help Sweden succeed.
Kevin Johnson
Candidate for Sweden Town Board
Patricia Hayles
I have been proud to serve on the Sweden Town Board for the past four years. We have accomplished a great deal working together. Those accomplishments have affected every department including the tri-municipal support of the Seymour Library.
Why would I like to be reelected? As much as we have accomplished, there is much more to be done. The current projects to be completed include: The skatepark renovation, continuation of the multi phase water project, the new Senior wing at the Community Center, and continued support of the Seymour Library.
The accomplishments over the last four years have been completed while remaining fiscally responsible, leveraging available grants and using reasonable amounts of town reserves. The Town Board also prepares and adheres to an annual budget for day-to-day operations. We’ve done this each year without going over the 2% tax cap, including during the very challenging times of the COVID Pandemic. In fact, we lowered the town taxes for 2021.
I have lived in Sweden for over 30 years. My husband, Bill, and I raised our children here. It’s a community I am happy to call home. I would like to continue to serve this community as your representative on the Sweden Town Board. I ask for your vote to reelect me on or before November 2.
Patricia Hayles
Candidate for Sweden Town Board
Karen LoBracco
I grew up in suburban Buffalo, the oldest of six in a service-oriented family. After living all over NYS as well as Virginia, Ohio, and Georgia, I returned to my upstate roots in 2008. Here I treasure relationships built among neighbors and the way being surrounded by our agricultural heritage keeps me grounded.
My formal education includes a BS in Health Education and a Master’s in Business Administration. While “book learning” is good, it only becomes useful when applied in the real world. In addition to professional positions, I have served as treasurer of continental professional organizations, been a Girl Scout leader, foster parent, led community Back-to-School and Holiday programs, and serve in leadership positions in my denomination. Locally, I helped staff the Clothing Closet, volunteer with the Center for Youth which serves homeless teens, serve on the Brockport Board of Zoning Appeals, and was a member of the Tax Relief Task Force and the Police Reform & Reimagination Committee.
Our Town of Sweden is a mixture of suburban neighborhoods, apartments, and productive farms, with residents of varying ages and political persuasions. I will challenge the Sweden Town Board to include the perspectives of ALL, insisting that service on boards and committees is based on qualifications rather than party affiliation. In deliberations I will ask questions about alternatives and long-range impacts, rather than blindly affirming what is offered. In short, I will be YOUR voice, challenging the status quo when necessary while supporting the good of our town always.
For more information, visit ElectKarenLoBracco.com.
Karen LoBracco
Candidate for Sweden Town Board
Gary Sullivan
It was an honor this spring to be appointed to replace Bob Muesebeck upon his retirement from the Town Board. I came to Brockport from Long Island in the 1970s to attend SUNY Brockport, and like many others, decided to stay. My wife, Darlene, and I have made our home in Sweden Village for more than 30 years. It’s where we raised our three children. This summer, we were blessed with our first grandchild.
My law enforcement career spanned more than 32 years, first with Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and then with the Rochester Police Department as an Investigator. Although now retired, I keep busy with part-time employment in the security field. I am a member of the Nativity Church, spent many years volunteering at Camp Good Days and Special Times, was active in the SUNY Brockport Alumni Association for over 15 years, and volunteered for many years with local youth sports and Brockport High School Booster programs.
I’ve spent these first seven months on the Town Board chairing the committee that is re-writing the solar and wind energy codes and the battery storage facility code. The revisions will be complete soon.
I serve as the liaison to the Sweden Town Park. I jumped into the new skatepark project (construction 2022) and am working on a plan to repair/upgrade the baseball fields. I would like to repurpose the crumbled former Quonset hut foundation for additional recreation space (pickleball and/or tennis courts).
I have learned a great deal about the Sweden Town government over the past months and would appreciate your support to continue for a full term.
Gary Sullivan
Candidate for Sweden Town Justice
Jessica Diaz
I am running for Sweden Town Court Justice because I am passionate about the law and our community. I grew up in Spencerport and attended SUNY Brockport for my undergraduate education. We moved back to Sweden seven years ago. My daughter is ten years old and attends Brockport Schools. We feel truly blessed to raise our daughter here. Being a mom of a young daughter, I am especially invested in the safety of our community as well as female representation in our courts.
As a practicing attorney, I have worked on complex litigation in many different areas of the law, including constitutional, real estate, and administrative law. I have devoted thousands of hours to researching legal issues and crafting arguments for submission to various courts. I am also well acquainted with the latest technological advances and would embrace those updated resources for the betterment of our town court. I believe this professional, legal background and education is highly valuable in ensuring the smooth and efficient running of our local court.
As a first-generation American, I’m also well aware of how many people in this world do not have access to fair courts, and how important it is for courts to be transparent and accessible. For many people, town court will be the only experience they will ever have with the court system. That’s why it is imperative that Sweden Town Court be fair, efficient, and just.
It would be a tremendous honor to serve the people of our town as Sweden Court Justice.
Jessica A. Diaz, Esq.
Candidate for Sweden Town Justice
Tony Perry
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as one of your Sweden Town Justices for the past four years. It is a privilege to fill the seat vacated by Kevin Johnson when he became Town Supervisor.
I grew up in Port Crane, New York, and came here to attend SUNY Brockport, where I earned a degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology. After graduation, I made Sweden my permanent home and raised my family here. My three adult children still live in the area.
I spent 32 years in law enforcement as a patrolman, investigator, and road patrol sergeant. I retired from the Town of Gates Police Department in 2016.
I am seeking a second term as a Justice because I believe I bring a strong knowledge of the law, experience in court proceedings, and a deep desire to provide a Town Court that is impartial, efficient, and just. Town Courts deal with a vast range of issues, including traffic infractions and civil matters. All criminal cases are initially heard in local court, with the most serious felonies being transferred to a superior court. Town Judges must be prepared to deal with anything that arises.
Over the past four years, I have worked closely with the Court Clerks to modernize equipment and procedures. During the pandemic, we learned to conduct proceedings in a new way. The Sweden Town Court rose to the challenges it faced, and I am very proud of our efforts.
I would be honored to receive your vote on November 2 for a second term.
Tony Perry
