The Town of Rush is holding elections for only two of its offices on Tuesday, November 2nd. On the ballot will be the position of Town Supervisor and two positions of Town Council. The chairperson of each party’s town committee asked their candidates, on behalf of The Sentinel, to answer a series of questions, which would appear in the last edition of the newspaper prior to the election. As promised, this information has also been posted online below.
Please Note: On two of the questions respondents were limited to 500 characters. A note has been made in the instances where respondents exceeded this limit. Also, the party lines that each of the candidates will appear on have been abbreviated using the following notion: D (Democrat), R (Republican), C (Conservative), WFP (Working Families), and RH (Rush Hometown). Incumbency has been denoted after the party lines. Finally, candidates appear in the same order in which they will be on the ballot.
Town Supervisor (Vote for one)
Gerry Kusse (D, RH) – Incumbent
Which party are you registered with? [Editor’s Note: Candidate did not respond]
How long have you lived in Rush? [Editor’s Note: Candidate did not respond]
Bio: [Editor’s Note: Candidate did not respond]
Why should someone vote for you? [Editor’s Note: Candidate did not respond]
Phyllis P. Wickerham (R, C)
Which party are you registered with? Republican
How long have you lived in Rush? 1-10 years
Bio: I come from a hard-working farm family and being involved within the community is something that my parents instilled in me from a very early age. I currently serve as the Community Affairs Assistant for the Office of State Senator Patrick Gallivan where I regularly have the opportunity to address constituent concerns and represent the Senator at community meetings and functions. I previously was elected to the Rush Henrietta School Board in 2006 and served the Rush and Henrietta communities in [Editor’s Note: Respondent exceeded 500 character limit]
Why should someone vote for you? My name is Phyllis Wickerham and I want to be Rush Town Supervisor. I believe that the direction we are going, under the current administration, will not lead to a prosperous, vibrant community that residents can enjoy for years to come. I also believe consistent and fair policies and practices need to be followed when operating the Town and dealing with residents. I moved to this community for the same reasons most of you did. I love the rural, tranquil and peaceful setting that rolling fields [Editor’s Note: Respondent exceeded 500 character limit]
Town Council (Vote for any two)
Jeanne E. Morelli (D, RH)
Which party are you registered with? [Editor’s Note: Candidate did not respond]
How long have you lived in Rush? [Editor’s Note: Candidate did not respond]
Bio: [Editor’s Note: Candidate did not respond]
Why should someone vote for you? [Editor’s Note: Candidate did not respond]
Daniel J. Chase (D, R, RH)
Which party are you registered with? [Editor’s Note: Candidate did not respond]
How long have you lived in Rush? [Editor’s Note: Candidate did not respond]
Bio: [Editor’s Note: Candidate did not respond]
Why should someone vote for you? [Editor’s Note: Candidate did not respond]
James Kolb (R, C)
Which party are you registered with? Republican
How long have you lived in Rush? 20+ years
Bio: Join your fellow residents on November 2nd in electing a uniquely qualified candidate for the Rush Town Board, James Kolb on Row B. In the spring of 1996 my wife Kim and I purchased our home next to the I-390 exit in Rush. We relocated our successful catering business behind our home and in 2011 opened Colby’s Ice cream & Bake Shop at the corner of Route 251 & 15. We moved to Rush for the convenience of the interstate access and the rural community life we had enjoyed at our previous home. [Editor’s Note: Respondent exceeded 500 character limit]
Why should someone vote for you? Our town needs to return to sound financial and administrative practices, before there is a financial crisis. Recent financial directors for the town have quit and the present is unqualified. The need to encourage businesses to offer resident services such as a small grocery mart, medical, and a second gas station would be beneficial to everyone. Supporting our farming community is essential to preserving the rural setting we love. Allow specific development that will enhance the nature of [Editor’s Note: Respondent exceeded 500 character limit]
Ryan M. Lang (C) – Incumbent
Which party are you registered with? Republican
How long have you lived in Rush? 11-20 years
Bio: I have been an area resident for over 29 years and have lived in the Town of Rush for the past 11 years with my wife Trina and son Zachary. Having a long and active career in law enforcement, I have the attributes necessary to effectively communicate and advocate for ALL people of the Town and understand the importance of following procedures in Town operations. I am a strong supporter of the local business community and have invested in the community as a member and participant in St. Joseph’ [Editor’s Note: Respondent exceeded 500 character limit]
Why should someone vote for you? Simply put, your vote for me would continue your confidence you had in me last election and entrust the most qualified, hardest working, and most dedicated candidate for the job. Need proof? Look at my accomplishments in the past year that I have held a position on the Town Board. Serving as liaison to three separate sub-committees, extensive research and conservative approach before any vote/decision is rendered, delivering a true bipartisan ideology. I represent ALL the people of the TO [Editor’s Note: Respondent exceeded 500 character limit]
Monroe County Legislature 5th District (Vote for one)
Terry Daniele (D, WFP)
Which party are you registered with? Democrat
How long have you lived in Mendon? 1-10 years
Bio: I am a life long resident of Monroe County. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from RIT in American Sign Language to English Interpreting. I am the mother of two adult children, one of whom lives here in Rochester. I am happily married to retired attorney Tony Daniele. I was the Supervisor of Interpreting Services for the West Side of Monroe County. I was also the owner of two successful small businesses. I now have a private practice as a Sign Language Interpreter. I write an article fo [Editor’s Note: Respondent exceeded 500 character limit]
Why should someone vote for you? I want to move Monroe County away from business as usual in our legislature. I pledge to work with County Executive Adam Bello to implement his Pandemic Recovery Plan. I will responsibly use the ARP funds to fight the virus; help our small businesses recover from the pandemic; get people back to work; upgrade our roads, bridges, parks and bring high speed broad band to all corners of Monroe County. I will help to bring new businesses to Monroe County and grow existing businesses to exp [Editor’s Note: Respondent exceeded 500 character limit]
Richard B. Milne (R, C)
Which party are you registered with? Republican
How long have you lived in Mendon? 20+ years
Bio: Rick Milne has spent his life dedicated to public service – and is looking forward to continuing this service in the Monroe County Legislature. Milne is beloved in the Village of Honeoye Falls and held in high regard by other elected leaders, locally and statewide – something he takes great pride in. After serving the Honeoye Falls Village Board of Trustees for five years, Rick was elected to serve as Mayor in 2005 and has served the community in this role for over a decade. Rick also was electe [Editor’s Note: Respondent exceeded 500 character limit]
Why should someone vote for you? Rick’s common ground solutions plan will see him work together with County Executive Adam Bello and all local elected officials to help make the best decisions for all people in our community. In recent years, the Monroe County Legislature has passed legislation with unanimous support over 98% of the time – Rick hopes to build on these bipartisan accomplishments and will prioritize working across party lines to find common-ground solutions that provide the best possible result for our neighbors. [Editor’s Note: Respondent exceeded 500 character limit]
