Voters in the Town of Ithaca are being asked to vote for one candidate.One candidate; one open seat; full term.Tompkins County Board of Elections: For more information, including sample ballots https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/boe (607) 274-5522; 214 West State Street, Ithaca, NY 14850Polling place: https://voterlookup.elections.ny.govTown Councilperson: The Town Board is the governing, legislative, and policy making body of the Town and is comprised of four Council members. The Board appropriates funds for governmental functions and services, and controls Town finances and salaries. With the exception of elected officials, the Town Board also hires Town employees as well as appoints members of boards serving the Town such as the Planning Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Conservation Advisory Council.
Candidate's Name
Michelle E Wright
Campaign Address
PO Box 1018, Trumansburg NY 14886
Current Employment/Occupation
Deputy Clerk, Village of Trumansburg; Bookkeeper, Child Development Council
Government Experience-elected or volunteer (e.g. committees)
Appointed as Deputy Supervisor and Budget Officer at the Town of Ulysses ('14-'17; '19-'25); Board of Elections Poll Site Worker ('20-'23); various volunteer and committee roles
Education
Graduate degree in Global Development; Undergraduate dual degree in Agriculture Science Education and Environmental Engineering Technology
Local government with strong community participation is the foundation of a healthy democracy. I love democracy and I love local government.
Local government delivers the services that define our community’s quality of life.
Town government specifically is responsible for ensuring:
1) Safe roads (Townships own the majority of roads in NYS)
2) Potable water
3) Environmentally responsible wastewater treatment
4) Fire protection (a State required service, an aside that NYS does not require local government to provide EMS services)
5) Land use regulation
6) The health and well-being of our community through youth programs, recreational opportunities
7) Other services that amount to the high quality of life many (but not all) experience here in the Town of Ithaca
I have professional experience supporting the delivery of all of these services.
Town governments help create the conditions required for communities to thrive.
I am proud of the work local government does every day, and I find it deeply fulfilling to support my community and our democratic institutions through public service.
That is why I am running for the Town of Ithaca Board.
My experience serving the Town of Ulysses as Second Deputy Supervisor and Budget Officer gave me a broad understanding of how town government functions in New York State.
I am trained in governmental accounting and have experience applying that knowledge to support effective and efficient service delivery. My understanding of local government budgeting, financing, and long-term planning will help me evaluate what affordability means for the Town of Ithaca as economic conditions continue to change.
One of my passions in local government is infrastructure: roads, bridges, culverts, drainage systems, water systems, and other essential public assets. These often-overlooked systems form the framework that allows our communities to function. The long-term health of local democracy depends, in part, on our ability to maintain and invest in them responsibly.
My prior experience in town government will allow me to quickly engage in the work of representing Town of Ithaca residents, serving responsibly, and contributing meaningfully to the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Two issues stand out to me: affordability and participation.
Affordability is a challenge facing local governments across the country. Communities are increasingly asked to provide high-quality services while managing rising costs and limited resources. I hope to develop a comprehensive understanding of the Town of Ithaca's finances and help identify creative, practical solutions that maintain both affordability and service quality.
Participation is equally important. A healthy democracy depends on an informed and engaged community. I would like to explore ways to increase residents' awareness of local government and create more opportunities for meaningful participation in civic life.
One difference between being a political candidate and the work of serving as an elected official is access to information. Non-incumbent candidates do not yet have the full context required to accurately prescribe solutions to every challenge facing a municipality.
Effective public service requires understanding the details of municipal operations, finances, personnel, and the many legal and regulatory requirements that govern local government in New York State.
Today, I do not claim to have all the information necessary to know exactly how I will best advance affordability and community participation as a Town Board member. What I can promise is that I will approach the role with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to learning.
My first priority will be gaining a thorough understanding of the Town's operations, finances, infrastructure, and community needs. That foundation will allow me to identify both opportunities and constraints and to make informed decisions that promote long-term affordability and stronger civic engagement.
The Town Clerk's Office already does an excellent job maintaining public records and communicating information about Town operations. It serves as an important hub of information for the public.
As a Town Board member, I hope to remain accessible and connected to the community in as many ways as possible. However, communication can be challenging because Town Board members serve “at-large.” Rather than representing a single district, each Town Board member represents all residents of the Town of Ithaca, a community of approximately 22,000 people.
Residents who are “in the know” might already have access to a Town Board member or understand the process to submit public comment to weigh in on issues. When I consider this question, I consider disenfranchised people who do not know how to approach local democratic systems and their elected officials.
This connects directly to what I see as one of our community's key challenges: participation. How can we better educate and empower residents to engage with local government? What tools, resources, and capacity are needed to do that effectively? These are important questions, and I look forward to exploring them and helping strengthen the connection between residents and their local government.
Local government is the most accessible form of democracy because you can run into your elected officials when doing your routine errands around town, please come say “hi” if you see me out and about.
