SMITHVILLE – Two Republicans are running for Town of Smithville Supervisor in the Nov. 8 general election: Fred J. Heisler Jr. and Councilman Roger J. Connelly.
But only one, Heisler, has his party’s endorsement.
Connelly, who has four years of experience on the town board, said he came to the town’s primary election to find his opponent already endorsed. Voters will find Connelly’s name on the Conservative line instead, under a platform called “Common Sense.” No Democrats nor independents appear on the ballot for supervisor.
Retiring Smithville Supervisor Allan I. Johnson, also a member of the GOP, has not backed either candidate. In addition to a new supervisor, voters will select two new members to the town board and, quite possibly, a new superintendent of highways to guide government in this small, rural town (pop. 1,330) located in south central Chenango County.
Both candidates for Chenango County supervisor have resided, managed successful businesses and volunteered in the Town of Smithville for many years. Connelly owns Chenango Carpet and Furniture and Roger’s Auto Body and Heisler co-owns a residential remodeling company.
Both aim to take an active leadership role in the town’s highway department as well as push through much needed repairs or possibly the replacement of the garage itself.
“It’s been damaged for a year. A piece of soffit is falling down. Clean up is needed,” said Connelly, who added that he planned to bring both common sense and his 25 years of business sense to government.
“There’s been a lot of turmoil there and the garage is a big part of the budget. So if elected, I plan to be more involved. One of my strong points is that I will be on hand and already have experience on the board,” he said.
Connelly, who is 59, said he ran for council to gain experience in anticipation of running for supervisor. He is a graduate of Leadership Chenango’s 2010 class, volunteered on the board of directors for Chenango Housing Improvement Program and the Greene Chamber of Commerce and is a past president of and Lion of the Year recipient in Greene Lion’s Club.
Heisler, 62, said the outgoing administration has left the town in good shape; with no unfinished business. If elected, he said he would use the planning board’s comprehensive plan as a stepping off point to define new objectives.
Calling on his 30-plus years in the construction, design and management experience, the candidate specifically aims to research grant funding opportunities such as Restore New York to enhance the aesthetics of the community, whether through plantings, painting and property improvement efforts.
“We are already a nice, rural bedroom community for Binghamton and Norwich,” Heisler said, adding that he would like to see the town board improve upon that concept.
This is the first time he’s run for public office. Heisler volunteered his time to build an addition to the town’s community center and was also instrumental in having the structure registered with the National Register of Historic Places. He currently serves on a committee that is rebuilding the Smithville Presbyterian church, which was destroyed by fire about a year ago.