Republican candidates for Sept. 13 primary election

 On Tuesday, Sept. 13, town of Schroeppel members of the Republican party will have an opportunity to go to the polls and vote for candidates running for a number of town positions. Those chosen in the primary will appear on the ballot as the Republican candidates in November. 

The candidate chosen in the September primary will appear as the Republican party candidate for town supervisor in the November election. 

Paul Casler

Currently serving as town supervisor, Paul Casler, who lives on Kline Road in Pennellville, is one of two candidates running in the Republican primary for a place on the ticket in the November election. Prior to building this home, Casler was a resident of the village of Phoenix for 16 years.  He was appointed as a member of the Schroeppel Town Board in the spring of 2006, and had a successful run for that position in the fall of 2006. Casler ran for town supervisor in 2007, and since that time has been responsible for overseeing all town government activities. 

Casler spent most of his youth in the Morrisville area, graduating in 1983 from Morrisville High School. He worked full time for a company that did commercial glass work and, for many years, worked part time using his skills in home building, remodeling and repair. In 2004, Casler started his own business, PDC Contracting, and has made it a success. 

Casler has two boys, Paul and Daniel, who have both attended John C. Birdlebough High School. Casler also devotes time and enjoys supporting Special Olympics, as Paul participates with their ongoing programs. 

Pat Nugent

Patrick Nugent has lived on Ennis Avenue in Pennellville with his wife, Carol Ann Nugent, for the past 35 years. They have two daughters, both Phoenix graduates, and two grandchildren with another grandchild expected to make it’s debut any day now. He has been endorsed as the Republican party candidate for town supervisor. 

Nugent graduated from Paul V. Moore High School in Central Square and received his bachelor of science degree from SUNY Cortland. He went on to obtain his master’s degree in education at Syracuse University. From there, Nugent pursued a career as a physical education teacher, also teaching health sciences, and coaching football and wrestling for a number of years. 

He began working with the village of Phoenix in 1972, part time in the Parks and Recreation Department, eventually working into full time into the 1980’s. Nugent was involved at the time in cooperative efforts between the town of Schroeppel, Phoenix Central School District and village of Phoenix which resulted in several initiatives - creating the Community Services Department through the town of Schroeppel in 1975 and subsequent youth-oriented programs, re-development of the community pool, along with establishment of the Pop Warner program. He also participated in development of the Phoenix Day Care Center, local senior nutrition programs, Section 8 community development programs, and a cooperative GED adult education program in cooperation with the school district. 

Nugent went on to work as an agent with Sutton Real Estate in Syracuse for many years and, in the mid-1990s with the development of telecommunications, established several internet-based companies.

He is a long time member of the Knights of Columbus through St. Michael’s Church in Central Square, serving on their board of advisors and as their chairman for a time. Nugent continues to work to support various fundraising initiatives locally, has served on the board with the Syracuse Center for the Arts and volunteers with a variety of foundations including the Lupus Foundation. 

Town Council (Vote 2)

Three candidates are running in the Republican September primary for two spots available on the town council. The two chosen in the primary will appear on the Republican ballot line as candidates in November for two four-year terms on the town council.

William P. Godfrey

A life-long resident of the community, William P. Godfrey lives in Pennellville with his wife Marjorie (Candee) Godfrey. Together the couple raised four children, and now enjoy their seven grandchildren. Godfrey graduated from Phoenix High School and has attended University College in Syracuse. He and his brother are co-owners of the historic sawmill at the center of the village. 

Godfrey served in the military for 22 months - a Korean War combat veteran. Now retired, Godfrey was employed by General Electric for 38 years, beginning in their apprentice toolmakers training program. He went on to work for Carrier Corporation for 3 1/2 years. During his career Godfrey worked as a machinist, shop planner, tool designer, circuit planner and spent 12 years as a supervisor. 

A 50-year member of the Callimachus Lodge No. 369 F&AM (Free and Accepted Masons) and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post No. 5540 in Phoenix, Godfrey has spent many years volunteering with both organizations. In addition, Godfrey is the President/Caretaker for the Pennellville Cemetery and continues to provide caretaking grave service primarily for Pennellville, Roosevelt and Phoenix cemeteries, among others. He also continues to cut firewood part-time. 

In addition, Godfrey had previously served on the Schroeppel town board from 2002 through 2005, and now seeks another term as councilman.  

Brian S. McMonagle

Brian McMonagle is a long time resident of the community who graduated from the Phoenix High School in 1978 and lives in Pennellville. McMonagle went on to obtain a two year degree from the State University of New York Delhi. He is a single parent of two children, Nicole and Sean, also graduates of Phoenix. 

McMonagle was appointed as a town councilman on the town of Schroeppel board in the spring of 2011, to fill out the term vacated by Lynette Greco when she resigned. He is now seeking election for a full four year term on the town council.  

For the past 18 years, McMonagle has been employed at Tactair Fluid Controls working in aerospace design, designing parts for airplanes. He has been involved with Pop Warner for many years, serving on their board in 2000 and 2001, and continues to donate his time as a volunteer for the organization. He also volunteers with the Phoenix Little League.

Paul VanDyke

Paul Vandyke was born and raised in Schroeppel by Gail and Wesley Van Dyke. His father passed away this past year. He was married to the late Mary Ann VanOrder for 22 years and has two children. 

Van Dyke graduated from Phoenix High School in 1978 and has worked for Oswego County for 28 years; first as a fire dispatcher and currently as a shift supervisor at 911. For several years Van Dyke was the Code Enforcement Officer for both the town of Schroeppel and village of Phoenix and is past Assistant Chief and President of the Enterprise Fire Company.

Town Justice (Vote 2)

Due to the resignation of Judge Fran Ciardullo and retirement of Judge Richard Burton, both town justice positions must be filled during this year’s election. The two candidates who receive the highest number of votes in the Primary election on Sept. 13, will be the Republican candidates on the ballot in November for a four year term as Schroeppel Town Justice.

John Brandt

A 35-year resident of the town of Schroeppel living on Gilbert Mills Road, John Brandt is married to Judy Brandt, former town councilwoman and deputy supervisor. They have three daughters, Karen Brandt-Brown, Kelly and Kristin (K.C.) Brandt. 

An Army veteran, Brandt spent 40 years as a New York state licensed attorney-at-law with a local law practice. He has been endorsed by the Republican Party having previously served as Schroeppel Town Justice, Oswego County Court Judge, acting Supreme Court Justice, Family and Surrogate Court Judge, and has over 25 years service in the New York State Unified Court System. Brandt was also involved in establishing the first countywide Drug Court in New York State in 1997, where he created numerous sentencing alternatives and implemented many other court initiatives. 

He continues to be an active community volunteer in a variety of youth activities and civic programs around Schroeppel.

Karen Brandt

Like her husband, Scott Brown, Karen Brandt has been a lifelong resident of the town of Schroeppel. She has been endorsed as a town justice candidate by the Republican party. 

Brandt graduated from John C. Birdlebough High School in 1993 and went on to graduate in 1997 from SUNY Oneonta. Following that, she attended Syracuse University College of Law where she obtained her degree. Brandt is now a New York state licensed attorney-at-law who has represented hundreds of individuals in traffic, criminal and civil matters in town, county and supreme courts. She currently serves as senior court attorney for Oswego County Family Court.

In addition, Brandt has served on numerous boards, including the Child Advocacy Program of Oswego County, and the Town of Schroeppel Republican Committee. She is a member of St. Stephen’s Church in Phoenix.  

Steven C. Kempisty

Having grown up in Clay, Steven Kempisty graduated from Cicero-North Syracuse High School and went on to obtain his undergraduate college degree from SUNY Fredonia. He completed law school at the Massachusetts School of Law at Andover, Mass. and practiced law in Boston for a number of years before returning to the Central New York area. He maintains his license with the Federal First Circuit court. 

Currently Kempisty is a certified arbitration hearing judge for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and has worked in the field of arbitration in New York state for seven years. He serves as program director for the legal studies department at Bryant and Stratton College in Liverpool, where he is also an instructor.  

Kempisty is a communicant at Sacred Heart Church in Cicero, a member of the Clay Sportsman Club, and also spends time helping out at the Pine Plains Cemetery in Clay.