Tom Buckel for Onondaga County Legislature

Tom Buckel is recognized for his bold willingness to serve working families and people in need--constantly developing, advocating, and implementing innovative and groundbreaking solutions to some of our most challenging local issues.

Tom’s top priorities are economic development (creating manufacturing, technology and biotech jobs and reducing poverty), education (increasing access to quality schools at all levels, city and suburban), protecting the environment, and both economic and social justice. Tom is focused on restoring Central New York’s role as an economic, social and educational leader while actively resisting any attempt by the Trump administration and his acolytes on the county legislature to take us backwards.

Tom is married to Mary Elizabeth Vossler. They reside in Syracuse and have three children, Elizabeth (husband, Georges), Anne and John, and two Rottweilers, Lord Stark and Lady Greta. The dogs serve as therapy and support dogs for veterans at the Syracuse Veterans Administration Hospital.

The son of Tom and Marilyn Buckel ,Tom grew up the Valley region of Syracuse and Camillus. He attended Bishop Ludden High School, Canisius College and the University of Virginia Law School.

After law school, Tom joined the Syracuse firm of Hancock Estabrook, where he served as a partner for 32 years. Tom was elected and reelected to the Onondaga County Legislature from 2007 through 2011.

In 2013 Tom was recruited to help expand New York Chief Judge Jonathon Lippman’s “Access to Justice” initiative by serving as Managing Attorney of a legal aid organization that covers 13 upstate counties, including Onondaga.Tom earned the highest "AV Preeminent". in legal ability and ethics by the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell® attorney Peer Review Rating™.

The N.Y.S. Division of Military and Naval Affairs recognized Tom for his heroism in helping save the life of a wounded soldier from a horrific car crash by Awarding Tom the Conspicuous Service Medal, its highest civilian recognition.

Issues

Economic Growth

Tom believes that Central New York must once again become a place of unparalleled economic opportunity, a place where high tech comes to take flight, where our creative and dedicated workforce entertains and connects the world, and where our agricultural products feed America.

But he understands that progress means confronting the reality that our local economy is among the weakest in the nation. For too many in Central New York, the economic recovery enjoyed by other parts of New York State, and throughout the nation, has become a spectator sport.

Building an economy that lifts everyone up means building a workforce that’s prepared to step into the jobs of tomorrow. Tom will chart a path for better infrastructure, not passive entertainment, retail and hotel ventures, that supports future manufacturing, building up exports and pillars of Central New York’s success such as sonar and drone development, biotechnology and higher education. Tom has a record of joining others in calling on Congress and the State Legislature to utilize funds to boost Central New York’s trade competitiveness, invest in Central New York's infrastructure, and help to grow middle-class jobs, our farms and our manufacturing floors.

Education

Constructing a thriving economy means getting serious about closing both the income and opportunity gaps, which begins with education. Tom knows that early childhood education and college education should be accessible to all Central New Yorkers.

Tom has served as a Trustee of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and as a Regent of Le Moyne College, working hard to keep tuition fees down, solve the student debt crisis and improve academic success rates across the board.

He has demonstrated his commitment to shaping the future of education in Central New York through his leadership in mentoring programs and programs for homeless kids, and support of Onondaga Community College.

Tom also recognizes the dynamic and changing workforce that lies ahead for Central New York’s students. He will continue to champion legislation to provide every Central New York student with access to rigorous computer science classes to better prepare students both for college and for the careers of tomorrow.

Energy and the Environment

Tom sponsored foundational legislation that passed in his first term on the County Legislature that set out goals and standards for sustainable energy development in Onondaga County. He also sponsored net metering county legislation to allow the sale of unused sustainable energy by consumers to National Grid. He sponsored the successful ordinance to protect hospital and health care patients by preventing smoking within 100 feet of health care facilities.

Tom will continue to promote legislation to make Central New York as a leader in the land, sustainable and resource management. Tom will also be a force to stop the harmful increase in trash burning at the Rock Cut Road incinerator, through modern “zero waste” recycling programs.

Residents in East Syracuse subject to new, and harsh noise from new railway facilities will be able to count on Tom to relentlessly pursue homeowner aid for sound remediation and sound insulation.

Technology in Government

Tom is a leading regional voice for a government that is more open, transparent, and accessible to all Central New Yorkers. He will promote open county data initiatives, and a citizen empowerment platform to support advocates, journalists, researchers, and citizens harness the power of county data and engage in budget support and recommendations. Tom believes that by creating a transparent government through technology, we can engage the collective wisdom of people outside government and put the power in the hands of the people to transform government, democratize voices, and bring our nineteenth-century county government into the twenty-first century.