WAER News continues its Election Connection coverage with a look at Onondaga County’s 5th legislative district. The wide-open seat covers much of Salina and DeWitt as well as adjoining corners of Clay and Cicero. Either Democrat Ellen Block or Republican David Carnie will represent the district since Deb Cody was appointed in 2017. David Carnie said he brings experience from his time with the town of Salina.
“I sat on the comprehensive plan committee and I'm currently I'm working with SMTC on an intermodal study," he said. "I've worked on multiple collective bargaining agreements with the unions. We have the SEIU as well as the Teamsters in Salina. I'm working with people in different agencies, different municipalities. It's my ability to work with people.”
Carnie said that cooperation includes with minority Democrats on the county legislature.
“I won't think of everything," he said. "It's important for me to hear perspectives from other people so I can perhaps learn something and have that discussion. It's all about helping people.”
Helping people also happens to be Democrat Ellen Block’s line of work. As a licensed mental health counselor, she said it makes her a good listener.
“I'm used to listening to people from all walks of life with all different ideas and opinions that may be different from my own," Block said. "I go into listening to my potential constituents the same way I go into a mental health counseling session, which is with an open mind and not bringing my own personal beliefs to push on anybody else.”
Block said her counseling work better informs her about where the county could improve its array of social services.
“Hearing concerns from my clients and wondering how I could be helpful on a larger scale," she said. "I have a lot of background in those services and I know a lot of programs that are available and also ideas on where I think they could be expanded on or amended.”
Outside of her practice, Block said residents want more of a voice in county government and more transparency about how their tax dollars are spent.
Early voting begins Oct. 25 and continues through Nov. 2. Election Day is Nov. 4.
