Dryden voters will elect a mayor and two trustees on March 21, as the incumbent mayor and one incumbent village board member face challenges.
MAYOR
Incumbent Mayor Michael Murphy, a Democrat, faces Republican Thomas Corey for a two-year post.
Murphy, 78, has lived on Lee Road for 45 years. He has spent five years as a village trustee, and five more as mayor.
“I have acquired each year as trustee or mayor more information and knowledge that helps me be a better mayor,” he said. “Some projects I started last year and some of my projects are long-term projects getting close to being fulfilled. I want to finish them.”
He would build more sidewalks and remotely lighted crosswalks. He also plans to restore homes and help building owners on West Main Street remodel their apartments.
Murphy wants to increase the tax base by seeking more apartments, businesses, homes, restaurants, chargers for electric vehicles, and by creating a dog park. He plans on applying for grants, including the New York Forward grant of $4.5 million.
Corey, 72, has lived in Dryden for 47 years. He was a charter member of Dryden Rotary and Ithaca Toastmasters, and has served on the village board, where he said he worked to keep taxes under control and managed the community’s water and sewer resources.
He was vice president of the Tompkins Chamber of Commerce, and has chaired the Mission committee at United Presbyterian Church of Cortland for 25 years.
Corey believes residential and commercial development in the village will grow the tax base.
“People come to live in Dryden for the benefits of village life,” he said. “These should include safety and security, as well the chance for growth in a healthy, thriving community. The cost of living is fundamental to that dream.”
He also aims to revitalize Main Street, and increase water quality testing.
He wants to establish a downtown development plan with capital funding and aims to collaborate with Ithaca Area Development to attract projects, and with the town to discuss intermunicipal projects, he said.
COUNCIL
Incumbent Jason Dickinson, a Democrat, seeks re-election to a two-year term, facing newcomers Thomas Sinclair, a Democrat, and Republicans Frederick H. Stock and Tim Arnold.
The top two vote-getters will win the seats.
Dickinson has lived in the village for 20 years. He will appear on the Democratic and Protecting Dryden ballot lines. He has been on the village board for five years, and serves on the Public Safety Committee, he says.
“I want to work with others to find creative ways to improve services and save taxpayer money,” Dickinson said. “My vision of the future of Dryden is to keep and develop a pedestrian village with bustling businesses.”
Dickinson supports creating a dog park and quality townhouses to increase the tax base and customers for Dryden businesses.
“The dog park will need planning, community participation and some time to prepare the land,” he says. “The development of townhouses requires collaborating with the builders while keeping the vision of a beautiful pedestrian village. We will write into the agreement requirement to make the property green, family friendly and aesthetically pleasant.”
Stock, 72, a Republican has lived in Dryden for 34 years. He has never held elected office.
“I am running for office because I would rather seek positive change through elected office than sit back and complain,” Stock said. “Retirement grants me the time needed to dedicate to public service.”
He aims for residential growth, and restoration of Main Street and the sidewalks.
“Change can begin locally,” he said. “Our village is in an ideal location. We offer the amenities and infrastructure of a metropolitan area with advantages of small-town living. With a positive mindset and a long-term focus, we can have a brighter future moving forward.”
Thomas Sinclair, 63, is running on the Democratic and Protecting Dryden lines. He has lived in the village for 12 years. He was on the village board from 2017 to 2019 and is a member of the village planning board.
“Serving the public was built into my character by my parents,” Sinclair said. “I believe that good and transparent government is an essential part of any thriving community.”
He teaches public administration at Binghamton University, where he has twice served as chair. Last fall, he worked with a team of village residents and business leaders to write a grant proposal to improve the Village.
He wants to revitalize downtown Dryden and increase its walkability with sidewalks and crosswalks. He wants to work on winning state and federal grants.
Arnold could not be reached.
