Editor's note: The author of this letter is making reference to a Sept. 23 Facebook post by incumbent Massena Town Supervisor Joe Gray at goo.gl/HDkQCD, and a post Gray made on his campaign website that has since been deleted.

To the Editor:

When deciding to put my name in for Massena Town Supervisor, I considered many factors. One of the biggest motivators was that I felt that the Town Board was wallowing and had no clear direction. I felt that there was no guidance to reinvent Massena as the bustling, vibrant town that it once was. I envisioned a supervisor who keeps councilmen appraised of related town activities throughout the month, provide direction to staff and ensure they have the tools to get their jobs done as cost effectively as possible, attend meetings on time and meet with the public, both in the town hall and out on the street. I have always felt that the Town Supervisor is the face of the town and be out in the community at the many events that we have. A Town Supervisor should be an active participant in Massena with a desire to mingle and socialize with residents and visitors.

You can imagine my surprise when I read a post dated September 23 where my opponent, Joe Gray states, “It is important to point out that the Town Supervisor by definition is not the “leader” of the Town Council.” I strongly disagree with this perspective, and this likely pinpoints the reason why I have been frustrated as a Town Councilman. While it is true that the Supervisor has equal weight when it comes to voting in meetings, I believe there is an opportunity for the Supervisor to provide true leadership. I will dedicate the time and energy to work with constituents, the Town Council and our local government to ensure that all voices are heard, progress is made, and real action is taken. I believe we need to develop a tracking system for town council committees to demonstrate what progress has been made over time. If elected, I will ensure this tracking system is created and utilized so that true progress within the Council is monitored in a clear and transparent way.

If elected Town Supervisor, I propose to set up a private work station for Town Councilmen. This will allow the councilmen the opportunity to get official work done while also offering the public and Town employees the opportunity to meet with them, express concerns and learn more about the Town’s goals and progress. I firmly believe that more interaction will lead to increased public participation and accountability.

Finally, I would like to address my opponent’s disparaging remarks about the Town Councilmen in the post earlier referenced (09/23/2017). He writes that there is only one out of four councilmen (the only one who is not running for office this year) who takes initiative to get projects done. This is the second time that my opponent has taken pot shots at the town council, the first time alleging that all four councilmen owe allegiance to ‘Albany’ and not Massena due to where their retirement check emanates. Now he alleges that only one out of four councilmen has the ability to lead initiatives. I believe that if my opponent wants to pick and snipe during an election, he should do it to me and not the other town councilmen, who are certainly hardworking councilmen for the town and most certainly loyal to Massena and not some phantom group at the state capital.

I believe the Town of Massena deserves a true leader willing to work hard and create significant, measurable change for the residents of Massena. I hope to be that person. Please vote for me to be your Massena Town Supervisor on November 7. In the meantime, I would appreciate hearing from you regarding your concerns for Massena and your vision for our Town.

If you haven’t registered to vote or are going to be out of town on Election Day, email me at stevesohaughnessy5@gmail.com and I will deliver a registration form and/or absentee ballot.

Steve O’Shaughnessy

Massena town supervisor candiate