Three men vie for two spots as Holley trustees

Three men vie for two spots as Holley trustees

Two incumbents and one newcomer are vying for two open trustee seats on the Holley village board. If re-elected, Ross Gaylord will be heading into his seventh year (he was on the board from 1988-1994 and finished out a term in 2005); John Heise is seeking re-election to his second term; and Mark Porter has taken up the challenge to seek a board seat for the first time.

All three men agree that the village's sanitary sewer system's issues need to be addressed as the system could easily become an environmental concern in which the Department of Environmental Conservation could begin levying fines. They also all raised concerns about the need to find a use for the old high school - a state grant was received by the village so it can move forward with exploring alternative uses for the abandoned building.

Ross Gaylord, a lifelong resident of the village, said he has always been involved in the community throughout the years and has served with the fire department for more than 45 years and is a past fire chief. "I just believe in giving back to the community and serving on the board was something I enjoyed previously and I am looking forward to serving again," he said.

Like any small community, Holley is always looking for new industries to locate within its borders and it is also looking to continue filling its industrial park. "We acquired a couple new businesses up there and are looking for a few more - we are in the talking stages with a couple right now," he said.

Finding a solution to the space issues that plague the village hall is something that has long been on village officials' agendas. "We need something larger and something where we can have the meeting room on the first floor," he said. "The second floor isn't handicapped accessible and neither are the restrooms. We've had engineers come in and give us estimates to bring us up to ADA codes and we have also looked at a different building within the village square but no decisions have been made yet."

Village officials are trying to hold the line on the budget and taxes, Gaylord said. "I don't think we will be able to lower the tax rate but we'd like to hold the line on it."

The fire hall needs repairs and there is fire equipment that needs replacing, he said. "The roof leaks at the fire hall and needs to be replaced and we also have to look at buying a new major piece of fire apparatus."

The first priority, though, is to work on the sanitary sewer problems. "We need to come up with a plan to take care of that and replace the pipes," he said.

When asked why he was seeking re-election, Gaylord said, "I'm trying to do the best job I can for the village and the residents and I think we've done a good job since I've been on the board. We've accomplished a lot but we still have a long way to go."

Gaylord said he is always open and available to talk to residents about any concerns they might have.

John Heise, who has lived in the village with his family for more than 20 years, is seeking re-election for two reasons. "I want to continue giving something back to the community and I want to continue the work that has been started during my first term."

There have been a number of successes during his term, Heise said. "We are beginning to address the needs of our infrastructure, such as the sewer system and sidewalk repairs. We also plan to add a new electrical substation in the industrial park which will allow for further growth.

Heise was also involved in the village's review and revision of all its local laws.

"What we have completed also highlights what still needs to be done," he said. "We have to begin repairing our sanitation system and study the rate structure and expenses for our water and sewer system because our costs in these areas are exceeding the income."

There is also a need to encourage businesses to move into the town square and its adjacent areas. "We need to also nurture the businesses we already have and have to do it in a cost efficient manner," he said. "The burden on local taxpayers is a heavy one and the cost of what we must do always must be part of our planning process."

A retired school district administrator, Heise said his on-the-job training in working with budgets/tax rates, staff and citizens are necessary traits for a board member. "I am familiar with balancing the needs of all three," he said. "Now that I'm retired I can bring my experience and availability to the board and to the residents."

He and his wife, Sandy, have two children, Kevin and Samantha.

"I would encourage voters to select me for my leadership and listening skills, my honesty and my experiences in similar roles. As a village, we are still facing some difficult decisions," he said. "I will make these decisions after listening to a variety of ideas and based on what is best for citizens of the village. We need to continue moving forward and continue making the village an attractive place to live and work."

Mark Porter said he decided to seek election to the village board because for the past 15 years he has served the residents of the village as a volunteer firefighter, the past five as fire chief. "Now I want to focus my time on the residents as a board member," he said. "I am very concerned with the issues facing the village and want to see them be addressed without burdening the taxpayers."

As fire chief, Porter said he has been responsible for handling budgets, acquiring additional supplemental funding and assigning resources. "As fire chief I have worked closely with the board and have been able to learn a great deal about the day to day operations and workings of the village government," he said.

Keeping the tax rate stable and dealing with the storm sewer issues are two concerns facing the village, he said. "If the village doesn't comply with state mandates, the village could be faced with fines that will be levied on a per-day basis," he said. "If the penalties are enforced, it could cripple the village budget."

Porter said finding a way to utilize the historic high school is a project that needs to be brought to fruition. "The firehouse also is in need of major repairs that have not been addressed for several years," he said.

He has lived in the village since 1991 with his wife, Rose, and their children, Jennifer, Lori and Joshua.

"It's definitely time for a change in the village," Porter said. "It's time the residents of Holley elect a person who can make decisions on their own. Far too often, individuals run for their own personal agenda. I don't have an agenda. I just want to do what's right for the taxpayers and the village."