To the Editor:

How I decided to run for town supervisor stems from my first term as town councilman. When I was elected to that position almost two years ago, I felt that I would be able to help to improve Massena.

I had hoped that the town council would work together, led by the town supervisor, identify problems and develop solutions, get what we needed, people and materials and go out get it done in an orderly, well designed manner. I soon found that was missing.

I discovered that there was no orientation plan for new council members. That they are were left to figure things on their own.

I was able to find out when the monthly meetings were and I attended all of the budget meetings while I was running for office, so I had a feel for that, but everything else had to be sought after and answers were subject to other people’s perceptions.

If I am elected town supervisor:

• I will develop an orientation program for new members so that they will be ready to hit the ground running, before they take the oath of office. This will include written policies and one on one orientation sessions. This can’t be done by a supervisor that is in the office for an hour or so a day.

• I will encourage a younger group of people to serve on the board of managers at the library, cultural center, Massena Electric and/or planning zoning boards to expose them to public service. Hopefully, these people will develop the desire for public service that our councilmen have presently and bring their ideas for a better Massena to the table.

• I will make sure that Massena has specific plans with goals clearly identified with measurable results. And as your town supervisor, I will not attempt to take all of the credit for town board successes. There are five people on that board, as well as many support staff and volunteers and we should honor the work of all involved, not just the leader.

Election Day is Nov. 7. If you haven’t done so, please register and then vote. Thank you.

Steve O’Shaughnessy

Massena town supervisor candidate