Incumbent Canandaigua Town Supervisor Jared Simpson, a Republican and former Canandaigua teacher, is facing a challenge from business owner Don Cotter, a Democrat.
Simpson, whose father, Robert Simpson, was a Canandaigua town supervisor, was elected supervisor in 2021. Cotter, who is co-owner of CDGA Coffee Co. and co-founded Naked Dove Brewing Co., is also running on the Canandaigua Forward line.
Simpson and Cotter are seeking three-year terms.
Early voting starts Oct. 25; Election Day is Nov. 4.
The candidates were asked for answers to two questions. The emailed responses that follow have been lightly edited.
Q: How do you see the town of Canandaigua’s future and how will you help to shape its success over the next three years?
Simpson: We are one of the only growing communities in New York. We have businesses and families that want to be here. However, we face a significant problem — a lack of electric infrastructure. RG&E has not made adequate investment in our area to keep up with the demands for growth.
As chairman of the Ontario County Board of Supervisors, I have built close working relationships with representatives from New York state economic development and because of that, we are in the running for a $10 million grant that will help fund vital electric infrastructure. If successful, this funding will help bring housing and jobs to the town for the next four years and beyond.
Over the next four years I will continue to use the relationships I have built to advocate for the town at the county and state level.
We must continue directing growth away from key farmland and natural resources. I recently worked directly with one of our farmers to permanently preserve over 250 acres of farmland. This area was under tremendous development pressure, and now it will be permanently protected. I will continue to build on these relationships to make sure that we are always looking to protect our natural resources.
I have also worked closely with the board and staff to continually review our zoning to make sure that it makes sense and is in the best interest of the town. I will make sure that we are always looking to improve and are not afraid to change when it is in the best interests of our residents. Over the next three years I will use the vast experience gained in my first term to make sure that we are doing the right things and making the best choices for our residents.
Cotter: Canandaigua has a bright future. We are lucky to live in an area of incredible beauty and unlimited promise.
As a team, Bobby Ellis, Scott Hall (Democratic Town Board candidates) and I bring unique strengths to help guide us forward into that future. They include: 1) managerial expertise with a track record of accomplishments and accountability; 2) an open approach to government; 3) a forward thinking, proactive mindset; 4) varied business and life experiences; and 5) a more representative government.
The current town government says it values transparency. The reality, however, is quite different. Examples are one-way discussions at town hall meetings and a lack of visibility to cost overruns such as the questionably unnecessary town hall remodel and a bloated managerial staff. Lack of accountability is not acceptable.
Under my leadership, we will be clear on how we are spending taxpayer dollars vs. budget and explicitly show spending from one year to the next. We will also hold regular town hall meetings (completely separate from Town Board meetings) where we facilitate civil back-and-forth discussions about what topics are on the minds of town citizens.
Currently there is a tremendous amount of energy trying to solve problems that town management has been ignoring for decades. The board, under my leadership, will actively work to solve those challenges utilizing knowledge and expertise from within our community and other communities like ours. Simultaneously, we will be looking down the road to see what challenges will arise 10 years on and what we can do now to prepare for them. We will look to be a leader within our region on creative solutions, balancing growth while protecting the environment.
Lastly, we will manage in a way that recognizes that our town is comprised of 10,000 residents with unique voices and diverse values, all of which will be afforded the respect and dignity deserved.
Q: What will you do to support the health of Canandaigua Lake?
Cotter: Protecting the health of Canandaigua Lake is critical to our town and surrounding communities. As such, I would implement a plan we’ll call “The Seven C’s for a Clean Canandaigua Lake.”
Coordination. To achieve our objectives for a healthy lake, we must engage and coordinate with other municipalities, businesses, residents, and visitors.
Critique. We must take a dispassionate view, free of blame of all past actions and inactions that have put the health of Canandaigua Lake in peril. These insights and analyses will guide solutions for the future.
Consideration. When looking toward the future, all ideas and solutions will be on the table. This includes analyzing current activities, exploring new ideas from throughout our community and seeking success stories from both here and abroad.
Collaboration. The recent collaboration between Wegmans and the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association is a great example of what can be accomplished when different stakeholders band together. I would guide the town to pursue other collaborations with wineries, farms and developers to keep the health of the lake front and center.
Commitment. Desire for a clean lake is not enough. Each individual, community and business must step forward and commit themselves to protect the lake.
Control. Where we cannot achieve the desired health of Canandaigua Lake voluntarily, the town, in conjunction with other municipalities, might need to enact laws to ensure its protection.
Consistency. These efforts are not a one-time event. Only through consistent application of the ‘seven C’s’ will we protect the lake for current residents and guests for generations to come.
Simpson: For the past two years I have served as co-chair of the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council. This intermunicipal group is made up of all the communities in the watershed. One goal of this group is to identify and complete water quality projects that protect the lake.
From Middle Cheshire Road to 5 and 20, to Happiness House to Sucker Brook, our projects have prevented thousands of pounds of harmful nutrients from entering the lake. They have also increased storage and slowed the flow of water to prevent a repeat of the catastrophic flooding of 2023.
Over the next four years I hope to be able to continue to use this leadership role to bring vital water quality projects to the town. We have exciting projects in store. These projects will permanently protect land from the shores of the lake to the source waters of Sucker Brook. They will provide even more storage to slow the flow and clean the water as it heads to the lake.
Earlier this year, Friends of Canandaigua Lake was organized. The purpose of this organization is to raise money to invest in water quality projects and to permanently preserve and protect land in the watershed. This organization is chaired by Danny Wegman and Richard Sands, and I have the honor of being on the board of directors.
I am excited for what we will be able to accomplish in the next four years. We have already identified land to be acquired and projects to be completed within the town. The next step is to use the strong relationships that I have already built with property owners to make sure that these projects happen. I look forward to using these two leadership roles to build on the town of Canandaigua’s strong history of preserving and protecting our lake.
More about Jared Simpson
Jared Simpson, 54, and his wife of 31 years, Kellie, have four children. He had a 27-year career as a high school and middle school social studies teacher in Canandaigua, and for 15-plus years coached high school football and girls lacrosse.
A lifelong town of Canandaigua resident, Simpson enjoys being outdoors, hunting, woodworking and home renovation projects. He is chairman of the Ontario County Board of Supervisors and is a member of the Canandaigua Rotary Club and the Canandaigua congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
More about Don Cotter
Don Cotter, who will turn 65 on Election Day, and wife Donna have two children. He was VP Northeast Independent Business Unit, Constellation Brands; VP Sales, Genesee Brewery; and co-founder of Naked Dove Brewing Co. He is the co-founder of CDGA Coffee Company.
Cotter is president of the Canandaigua Farmers Market and is a team member of Called to Care, Canandaigua. He enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, travel, board gaming, and cooking.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
