Two incumbents on ballot for top spot in Holley

Two incumbents on ballot for top spot in Holley
Village residents vote March 21

Trustees John Kenney and Tom O'Neill have both tossed their hats into the ring for the top spot in the Village of Holley for the March elections. With Mayor Skip Carpenter deciding not to seek re-election because of a move out of the village, the seat became available.

Kenney has been on the board for three years and said he got involved in village politics when he began attending board meetings on a regular basis and from there his interest grew until he decided to seek election to a trustee seat. "This year I was encouraged by people who have supported my run in the past to run for the mayor position," he said.

The village is faced with infrastructure issues and aging sewer lines in need of replacement, Kenney said. "We've also been trying to decide on a use for the old high school and coming up with a balance between the need to fill the industrial park and keeping the businesses in the Square viable."

The budget will also be a challenge this year. "We are dealing with state mandates and if we are lucky, we're hoping to maintain the tax rate," Kenney said. "If we get fortunate enough to have a large industry locate in the industrial park, that will help reduce some of the burden and I'd like to see a tax decrease."

During his tenure on the board, Kenney said the officials have had to react to changes in the community as they relate to Diaz and loss of industry and have had a proposal to combine municipal buildings with the Town of Murray voted down.

"Right now I plan to do what I've been doing since I've been on the board - remain available to the residents and listen to their concerns. That's what I've tried to do since I was first selected."

Kenney has lived in the village since 1964 and says his wife, Wendy, is his biggest supporter.

Tom O'Neill has sought the mayoral position in the past and hopes this year will be the one in which he gains the seat. "I may be kind of new to the board but I have learned a lot about the operation of the village since I've been a trustee," he said. "There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed and as mayor I'd be in the driver's seat and would have the ability to prioritize the issues and see them taken care of."

He echoed Kenney's comments on the village needing to address its infrastructure and sewer problems. "With the sewer we have some collapsed pipes that need to be taken care of and some of those pipes feed from the industrial park," he said. "As we get more businesses locating in the park, the sewer demand will only increase."

Like most municipalities, Holley is in a budget crunch, he said. "We are going to have to make some hard decisions and may have to look at cuts in the police or department of public works departments or cuts in services," he said. "We don't want to have to raise taxes but with so many state mandates we are facing some tough times."

O'Neill said there are a couple of prospects for the industrial park but no firm commitments. "We need to expand the park and get some sorely needed revenue coming into the village."

"I'm committed to the position of mayor and to the village," O'Neill said. "I believe it's a full time job and because I'm retired I will have time to devote to the position."

The elections are March 21 and 2006 will be the last year for March elections. Beginning in 2007, elections will be held in June as a way to hopefully boost voter turnout.