Candidates

Meet our Local Elected Officials, Elected in 2019 Local Elections
Experience, Service, Commitment
As accomplished leaders with years of experience in public service, we have the skills needed to guide Caroline forward. We will nurture its growth, protect its resources, and safeguard the welfare of people who call Caroline home.

Town Supervisor - Mark Witmer, 3rd term

Mark is eager to serve another term as town supervisor and looks forward to building on the progress that has been made in recent years. A biologist and environmentalist by background, Mark has lived and worked in Caroline since 2003. He has a passion for solar energy, heat pumps, and other energy alternatives, and he has brought that passion to the town government. Under Mark’s leadership, Caroline recently achieved six of NYSERDA’s “High Impact Action Items,” qualifying it for a top-tier , $100,000 Clean Energy Communities grant. With assistance from the Town Planning Board and the Town Energy Independent Caroline committee, Mark has led a revision of local laws around Subdivision and Site Planning to strengthen guidance on energy and water conservation.
Mark is married to Ann Herzig and they have two daughters attending Skidmore College. Their household is completed by an elderly lab mix, Pepper, a half-blind cat, Uno, and a small flock of chickens.

Town Council - Tim Murray, 2nd term

A Caroline resident for 38 years, Tim supports continuing revisions on the Comprehensive Plan to preserve the rural and historic character of the town, energy independence, expanded emergency health services and broadband, and planned economic renewal of Town and highway infrastructures. In addition to continuing support for youth programs, Tim would like to see similar services and programs developed for local seniors. Tim is the Director of the Cornell Council for the Arts, is a professor of film and contemporary art, and has decades of administrative and fundraising experience.
Tim is married to Renate Ferro. Both have served many years on the Caroline and the Tompkins County Democratic Committees. They have two grown children, Ashley and Erin Ferro-Murray, who attended Caroline School and ICSD.

Town Council - Irene Weiser, 3rd term; resigned effective January 2021

A retired veterinarian, Irene has been a Caroline resident for 27 years. In her 8 years of service to Caroline, she has tackled some of the town's most vexing issues with dogged persistence. She obtained funding and secured broadband service in northeast and southeast Caroline, and pledges to continue efforts until every household has access. She established a County-wide Emergency Medical Services Task Force, whose efforts resulted in the formation of County recruitment and training programs to address volunteer shortages. She serves on the County’s Energy Advisory committee and seeks to provide affordable, renewable energy to all Caroline residents. Most recently she has been working to find suitable locations for hydrants to ensure our firefighters have ready access to water year-round, and to find ways to address the growth and parking challenges in the Brooktondale hamlet.
Irene enjoys walking her dogs on the South Hill Recreation trail and looks forward to extending access to the trail into Caroline.

Highway Superintendent - Bobby Spencer, 1st term

Robert Spencer Jr (better known as Bobby) currently works for the Tompkins County Highway Department. He is running to replace retiring Town of Caroline Highway Superintendent, Cindy Whittaker. Bobby was born and raised in Caroline and was later employed here by the highway department for two years. He has maintained good working relationships with many town and county officials as well as residents in Caroline. His other work experience includes three years as a mechanic for Finishline Automotive and four years as a heavy equipment operator and foreman for Carson Groundworks. Bobby is aware that the primary responsibilities of the position involve planning, budgeting, complying with regulations, communicating with agencies and the public, and so forth. The fact that he has hands-on experience and is also very willing to jump behind the wheel or have a look under the hood whenever needed, will make him as especially valuable asset for our Town.
Bobby has 5 children and a new grandson.

Town Clerk - Jessie Townsend, 1st term

Jessie served as Caroline’s Deputy Town Clerk in 2018, and now seeks to serve as the Town Clerk. Jessie is currently working as assistant to Cindy Whittaker, the Town Highway Superintendent. Jessie’s colleagues at the Town offices speak very highly of her skills and dedication and are enthusiastic about her decision to run for Town Clerk. She looks forward to establishing regular office hours and serving the public in a friendly and efficient manner. Jessie lives in Caroline Center, two miles from the house where she grew up. She loves the town and her work serving the residents of the community and hopes to do so for many years to come.
Jessie is married (ten years, in September) to Matt, who works for the Highway Department in Cayuga Heights. They have two daughters Lacey (9) and Aubrey (6) who attend Caroline Elementary School – where Jessie also went to school as a child. Jessie loves animals and currently has two dogs and a cat, and been known to take in rescues.

Town Justice -Susan Barr, 3rd term

Susan has served as a judge in Caroline for eight years and is seeking re-election to the Town Justice position. Her previous professional experience includes seven years in the military, as an Army Officer in the Corps of Engineers and as a paratrooper. A 27-year resident of Caroline, Susan has volunteered extensively as a 4-H club leader, on the town planning board, and on the board of the Brooktondale Community Center. She has handled arraignments at all hours, traffic court, search warrants, civil lawsuits, and evictions, all while treating local residents with compassion and respect. She believes that anyone can “do something stupid” at some point, and our society benefits if these people see a way forward.
Susan is married to a computer scientist who teaches at IC. Her daughter engineers wind turbines and her son is a computer tech support guy. In her free time, Susan enjoys making Ukrainian Easter eggs, gardening, cycling, playing tenor recorder, and carving wood spoons.