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Doug Finch and Jim Terwilliger are glowing examples of council members who do their homework, speak from the heart and vote their conscience.
Finch, a Republican who works for local Assemblyman Brian Kolb, has led the charge in the battle against traffic and — there being no single cure-all to the problem — advocates solutions from every angle he can.
One of our favorites: encouraging police to more strictly enforce traffic noise laws. You can’t exactly ban 18-wheelers from rumbling down the state-owned Main Street, but you can build a reputation among truckers that roaring through the community is not taken kindly.
A Democrat with high-level Kodak management and the banking industry in his background, Terwilliger is every bit the financial watchdog you would expect, a most helpful skill for a council member.
But like Finch, he is far from one-dimensional, and you get the impression that every decision — even every word he speaks — is carefully weighed, measured and defensible.
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Doug Finch,
Canandaigua, City Councilmember at Large says ...
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Doug has received the endorsement of the Republican, Independence, and Conservative Committees for election to City Council.
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Bob Green,
Canandaigua says ...
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I have known Doug and his family for a number of years. He is a very devoted individual to them and is a sincere public servant. Along with his background in public service, he provides analytical insight in problem solving - listening intently to both sides of an issue. He is an intense outdoor sportsman with sincere respect for our environment. He realizes we must be good stewards of our surrounding resources - striking a balance between a local economy and preservation.
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Tom Zimmerman,
Canandaigua says ...
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Doug Finch is a hard working individual who is more interested in bettering the lives of our residents than party politics. Clearly Doug has demonstrated that he is willing to work with Democrats, Republicans, and others to see that the task at hand is accomplished. Doug is very knowledgeable with regard to state and local government, and will be a terrific asset for the residents of Canandaigua as a Councilmember at large. It is because of his continued commitment and concern for all residents that I and the Ontario County Independence Party are happy to support Doug Finch for Canandaigua City Council.
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John A. Wharton,
Canandaigua says ...
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After living in Ward 1 in Canandaigua, for 42 years, I often reflect back on how my quality of life has been impacted since my move to this city. I chose to live on a quiet small street that led to nowhere, and the traffic flow was nil. Upon completion of the high school on East Street, my small quiet street became a busy street during school days. Then upon the closing of East Street through the VA, my street became an artery of traffic along with the folks down on Charlotte Street. My point here is that the leadership of this community has let me down and I want a change. I therefore have talked to Doug Finch, who is running for election as a council member at large in our city. He has assured me that he will make every effort to alleviate the traffic problems on Chapel, North Pleasant and Charlotte streets. He also mentioned that he felt that architectural guidelines for private residences, not in historic districts, were unnecessary. In closing, Doug Finch has said all the right things to convince me that he will get my vote. I’m asking my fellow city friends to give Doug some real consideration.
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Frank MacKay, Chairman,
New York State Independence Party says ...
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I am pleased to write today to support the candidacy of Doug Finch for Canandaigua City Council at Large.
Doug Finch has shown on more than one occasion that he is more interested in getting the job done; than he is in political games or partisan politics. Doug joins a list of Democrats, Republicans, and others endorsed by the Independence Party for the 2006 Elections, including Eliot Spitzer, Hillary Clinton, and many others.
Doug has a sincere desire to serve the residents of Canandaigua, and I know will work very hard as a City Council Member at large. Whether it is fighting for our Veterans and the Canandaigua VA, or getting a pot hole fixed; Doug will take the time to listen to his constituents and then determine a plan of action to see the task accomplished.
As State Chairman of the Independence Party of New York, I am proud to have a quality candidate like Doug Finch running on our party line.
I whole heartedly endorse his candidacy for Canandaigua City Council at large and urge all eligible voters in Canandaigua to throw their support to Doug Finch on Election Day, November 7th. Sincerely, Frank M. MacKay Chairman Independence Party of New York
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Mike Gelinas,
Canandaigua says ...
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Doug Finch will be a very effective representative for all of us in the City of Canandaigua, as one of our council members at large.
Doug truly cares about our concerns, and will roll up his sleeves and get to work starting on day one.
Doug does not overlook some of the smaller problems in the community, like storm water drainage, while certainly working on the bigger issues like traffic, pedestrian safety, truck traffic, protecting our property values, and other quality of life issues.
Doug knows that we need to take care of our wonderful city and resources like our lake; for our children, grandchildren, and their future.
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Daily Messenger,
Canandaigua says ...
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In an otherwise quiet local election year, Canandaigua city residents will be asked on Nov. 7 to select someone to fill out the remainder of a two-year term on City Council. It’s a can’t-lose proposition for Canandaigua as both candidates — Republican Doug Finch and Democrat David Wink — have much to offer.
But our choice is Finch, who would be an articulate and intelligent voice on the council and who more than knows his way around both local and state government.
Finch, who lives on Deseyn Drive in Ward 1 of the city, is certainly plugged into the quality-of-life issues that matter most to city residents.
He zeros in on the obvious concerns, such as truck noise, traffic congestion, and pedestrian safety on Main Street, but also recognizes some of the less obvious issues such as storm water drainage problems that plague parts of the city. All of the above are among the front-burner items on his agenda, Finch promises.
His “day job” as the chief of staff for Assemblyman Brian Kolb, R-Canandaigua, could be useful in that regard. He works with local leaders trying to enlist state help. And Finch understands the mysterious ways of Albany, vowing to use his knowledge and experience in grant writing and making the right connections to the city’s benefit.
But he presents himself in an apolitical way; connections are helpful, sure, but he doesn’t give the sense that he believes there is a Republican and Democratic way to fix storm sewers and patch roads.
Though he would be filling the term of Republican Lori Rivet (who has moved out of the city) and become part of the 6-3 minority, Finch seems more than capable of carrying on the current council’s generally exemplary record of avoiding partisanship.
Finch is also willing to stake out his general outlook on government when he openly worries about city officials “getting a little crazy” when it comes to regulating the design and appearance of new homes, and when he draws the line on taxes.
Pointing out that the city is one of the beneficiaries of an increase in county sales taxes this year, Finch says he would oppose an increase in the ever-burdensome property tax people pay in these parts.
Wink, a Park Avenue resident, is also bright and community-minded. A retired industrial manager and 40-year resident of the city, he’s an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and Literacy Volunteers of Ontario County. He brings a folksy wisdom gained in part by years of experience on the Ontario County Planning Board.
Like Finch, he identifies quality of day-to-day life in Canandaigua as his top priority. He’s less definitive, though, on a prospective tax hike, saying “circumstances that cry out for a need” could justify a hike. Normally, we’d agree, but on the heels of a rare sales tax increase that is generating tons of government revenue across the county, property tax hikes should go on sabbatical.
And Wink’s acceptance of the idea of city-dictated “appearance standards” for homeowners and developers is a red flag of sorts in a community that seems to have gone on fine for years without this particular layer of regulation.
Both men were defeated last November when they were edged out of council seats in a year of stellar candidates across the board. Fortunately, neither Finch nor Wink was willing to take no for an answer, and bring high-caliber candidacies to next month’s special election.
In our view, Finch is the best of two very good options.
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Dan Bray,
Canandaigua says ...
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Doug Finch is a hard working, dedicated family man who will work cooperatively with everyone on City Council to get the job done for us. Doug’s in depth understanding of grants, government funding, and the inner workings of government at all levels will make him a valuable asset to City Council.
Doug is committed to holding the line on city property taxes. He knows that relieving the tax burden will help Canandaigua taxpayers especially people on fixed income and first time homeowners who are trying to make mortgage payments while still providing for their growing families.
But Doug also understands that City Council needs to find ways to make our government more cost effective and efficient in order to hold the line on taxes without sacrificing services and he is ready to help.
Doug will offer and support ideas to promote quality economic development and create jobs. He will support efforts to get us back to the fiscal basics by focusing resources on infrastructure such as storm water management, streets and sidewalks and quality of life issues such as public safety, youth initiatives, and neighborhood improvements.
As Assemblyman Brian Kolb’s Chief of Staff, Doug has worked directly with the public on a daily basis and is well suited to help improve communications with the public - a problem that has plagued City Council for years.
Doug will bring experience, dedication, and a “can do” attitude to the job and would be a great addition to City Council.
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Al Merklinger,
Canandaigua, Allvets says ...
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Doug Finch is an excellent candidate for Canandaigua City Council atlarge seat.
Doug is employed at Assemblyman Brian Kolb’s office in Geneva. This past spring, N.Y. Allvets had a corporation tax problem with the state of New York.
We took our problem to Assemblyman Kolb’s office and explained the problem to Doug. He called the state Tax Department in Albany and explained the problem to them.
Our problem was solved in a very short time. We received written confirmation within a week.
Doug is a member of the Finger Lakes Veterans Advisory Committee at our local Veterans Hospital in Canandaigua. This board is working to keep our VA hospital open to serve the needs of our veterans and save local jobs.
Doug is an excellent listener and is very helpful with state problems. I know he would be an excellent member of the Canandaigua City Council.
Alan G. Merklinger Route 21 Canandaigua
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Tom Zimmerman,
Canandaigua, Ontario County Independence Chairman says ...
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Doug is a hard working individual who is more interested in bettering the lives of our residents than party politics. Clearly Doug has demonstrated that he is willing to work with Democrats, Republicans, and others to see that the task at hand is accomplished. It is because of his continued commitment and concern to all residents that we are happy to support Doug for Canandaigua City Council.
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Barb Finch,
Canandaigua says ...
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Doug has a lot of government knowledge and experience, representing over 125,000 people, as chief of staff for Assemblyman Brian Kolb. He is a honest man that would go out of his way to help anyone in need. Doug enjoys spending time with the family, camping and cooking. I think Doug would make an excellent city councilman and would do a great job resprenting us in city government.
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ONTARIO COUNTY CONSERVATIVE PARTY,
Canandaigua says ...
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Ontario County Conservative Party
The Ontario County Conservative Party is pleased to announce their endorsement and support of Douglas E. Finch in the November election, to fill the remaining term of recently resigned Councilmember at Large Lori Rivet.
Doug Finch was interviewed and members of the executive committee voted his nomination on Wednesday, September 13, 2006.
Finch was also endorsed by the Ontario County Conservative Party in 2005 when he ran for Ward 1 Councilman.
It is the opinion of the executive committee members present that Doug Finch’s values and principles are well inline with those of the party and he will reflect those values well in his service to the people of the City of Canandaigua.
#30#
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CANANDAIGUA CITY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE,
Canandaigua, Political Organization says ...
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The Canandaigua City Republican Committee has endorsed Douglas E. Finch to fill the unexpired Councilmember at Large seat of former Councilmember Lori Rivet.
We are delighted to nominate Doug for this position as we know he will be a caring and effective advocate for all of the residents of the City of Canandaigua.
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