by Mike Zale, Ogden Town Supervisor
This fall, Ogden residents will see a question on the November ballot: Should the Ogden Town Supervisor’s term be changed from two to four years?
It’s a fair and important question – one we’ve been hearing more frequently over the past few years. Since taking office, I’ve often been asked how long the Town Supervisor’s term lasts. When I explain that it’s a two-year term, running for office every other year – the response is almost always the same: “That’s it? That’s barely enough time to get anything done.” And they’re right.
Town government projects – whether it’s road work, grant funding, park upgrades, or infrastructure improvements – aren’t completed in months. They often take years, from concept to funding to execution. The work we’re doing today is the result of efforts that began years ago. In a role where long-term planning is critical, stability matters
Take our new Comprehensive Plan, for example. We began work in 2022 and just completed it in the spring of 2024. Over that time, we formed a steering committee, reviewed the previous plan, drafted a grant application (which we ultimately didn’t receive), hired a consulting firm, gathered community input, hosted public outreach sessions, and spent months shaping the plan before it was ultimately adopted by the Town Board. The entire process took longer than my first term in office – but the results speak for themselves. We now have a 10-year road map for the future of the Town that was created by our residents. It just takes time to get it right. And that’s just one project – others like the new Splash Pad at Pineway Ponds, the future Buffalo Road Park, and major upgrades to our recreational facilities also require steady, consistent leadership to see through from start to finish.
That’s why residents often follow up with another question: “Why don’t you just make it a four-year term?” And the honest answer is: that isn’t up to me. By design, changes to any elected position’s term must be made by the voters, not by the Supervisor or the Town Board. That’s why we’ve asked the Board of Elections to place this question on the ballot – to hear directly from you, the residents of Ogden.
The second reason for the proposed change is alignment. While we’ve opposed the State’s decision to force local elections into even-numbered years, that reality is now upon us. As we adapt, we believe it makes more sense for the Supervisor’s term to align with state-level election cycles – since state decisions around infrastructure, grants, mandates, and funding have the most direct impact on the day-to-day operations of town government as opposed to Presidential cycles.
When the public considers this question, it’s important to understand a few things. First, this vote will not affect this year’s election or any current officeholder. If approved, the change would apply only to future elections and not-yet-nominated candidates. Second, this change has precedent. In 1999, the Town Board asked voters if the Town Clerk’s term should shift from two to four years. Voters agreed – and that decision has only added to the stability of that office. Today, every other elected position in both the Town of Ogden and the Village of Spencerport already carries a four-year term. The Town Supervisor is the only exception.
With so many exciting opportunities already in motion, our focus is on keeping that momentum going – spending more time serving the community and less time campaigning. That’s why the Town Board is bringing this question to you: Should the Supervisor’s term be brought in line with other local offices? Ultimately, this decision isn’t ours to make – it’s yours.
We believe in transparency, accountability, and empowering residents – not political parties or individual officeholders – to shape how their local government functions.
We hope you’ll give the issue thoughtful consideration and make your voice heard this November. However you vote, it will be a decision made by the people of Ogden – and that’s exactly how it should be.
