Conesus Lake Association Questions

Town of Geneseo
Supervisor Candidates

Wes Kennison
1) At the local level, we have many initiatives going. We have experienced some success. We have a long, long way to go to achieve a healthy lake. Since the big fixes will require big bucks, we need to redouble our efforts in Washington D.C. and Albany to bring forward the necessary resources. We have worked hard to build relationships in the Legislature, the Governor’s Office, and the Congress. Changing local leadership would mean starting from scratch in those areas. We need to keep the team in the field.

2) The Solarbee project required courage. We have demonstrated a willingness to take risks, commit resources and make a difference. There is no magic bullet. Success can only be achieved by fighting the battle on many fronts at the same time. The Conesus Lake Watershed Management Plan contains the list of things that need to get done. We have accomplished many objectives of the plan. We need to finish the implementation of the plan.

3) We have made sure that the lake residents are represented on the Zoning Board of Appeals. As chair of the Conesus Lake Watershed Council, I have been proud to promote sensible uniformity of policy throughout the watershed. The success we had in writing and implementing the Erosion Control Law, is a model for harmonizing lake regulations among the townships. We can now take advantage of research done by the Genesee Regional Planning Council on the subject of lakefront zoning to guide us. Let’s get it done. I have also appointed Greg Foust to our Comprehensive Plan Committee to be sure that we have a strong voice for lake issues in the crafting of that plan.

4) We have been working with the offices of Senators Schumer and Clinton to move the Finger Lakes Recovery Act along. This bill is slated to provide $50,000,000 for the Finger Lakes. We have positioned ourselves well to to take advantage of those funds. At the right time we will be seeking your help to write letters in support. Given the tremendous success of the USDA study of best management practices in agriculture we are proving that these methods keep fertilizers in the fields where they belong and out of the lake.

5) We are very proud of the improvements we have made to Long Point Park. The renovation of the pavilion, the boathouse, and the pending creation of a Long Point Park Museum. The big project before us (funding already approved) is the construction of a twelve-month bathroom facility and a dock upgrade to make it easily accessible from the water. But it all takes money. We have a great record grantwriting for the lake. We will continue that success into the future. But a key issue in funding must be addressed here. Lake residents pay a big chunk of property taxes to the Town, County and School District. We need to bring more economic development to the town outside village to grow the tax base, raise revenues and hold the line on rising costs. The Lowes debate obscures the fact that this administration is adding small businesses to Geneseo at a rate of more than one per month. That is a miracle in rural New York. We are keeping sales tax dollars home and easing the burden on property tax. The development issues impact the lake directly because every initiative costs money. Those who would chase businesses away harm our future ability to fund lake projects.

6) We work hard to bring folks into compliance. Those who insist on violating the law should receive the consequences.

7) We have a great start with our Erosion Control Law and our Watershed Inspection Program. The law gives us some teeth in controlling erosion from construction sites. We need to go further to address other erosion sources through stream bank remediation, especially given changing weather patterns that have brought violent rains to us.

8) We need to allow for commercial development in the Volunteer Road area to ease the property tax burden on the lake residents and farmers.

9) Consistency is the coin of the realm. The towns must be passionate in seeking the best methods available to control development in the Watershed. We need to expand municipal water and sewer, and relieve the pressure on aging septic systems. If all municipalities seek state of the art strategies together, then harmonizing those strategies should be no big deal.

10) The fullest extent of the law.

11) Over the past eight years, I have never been shy about advocating for Conesus Lake throughout the town, county, state and nation. The lake is a vital resource for tourism, drinking water and quality of life. The rising status of the Watershed Council as a forum for lake issues has provided a focal point for public communication. Some candidates in this race think that the Lowes Project is the only issue that matters. I disagree. I will not let anyone forget the lake.

12) I have been a tireless advocate for the lake for eight years. I have built relationships with the CLA, and our friends in Albany and Washington that cannot be replicated by any of my opponents. I am honored to be on the team with David Dwyer and Hop Manapol who have been there every day to support the lake. Let’s keep a winning team in tnhe field.