Press

Tuesday, October 30, 2007. In an essay published by the Skaneateles Journal, Karen discusses the need for real workable solutions to the many issues facing Onondaga County. Also, Karen describes her life experiences and explains that she will bring a focus on people to county government. Read Karen's essay here!

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Thursday, October 18, 2007. Familiar Showdown for Legislature Seat. The Post Standard describes the stark contrast between Karen's campaign and that of her opponent. Click to understand why change is needed!

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Wednesday, October 10, 2007. The Post Standard asked Karen and her opponent to explain their positions on three issues on the minds of voters: government consolidation, property taxes and the local economy. Click to understand why change is needed!

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

District Council No. 4 Local Union No. 31 Supports Karen!

Click on the document to read Union No. 31's endorsement.

Monday, October 8, 2007

Local 200United SEIU Supports Karen!

Click on the document to read Local 200United SEIU's endorsement.

Friday, September 28, 2007

Matt Driscoll Supports Karen!

Click on the document to read Matt Driscoll's endorsement.

Press Release, Saturday, September 29, 2007

Something Old, Something New!

Something old, something new!

Saturday morning, September 29th, the front lawn of Sycamore Hill Gardens was covered with red lettered signs, hundreds of them, each a set of four brief remarks followed by the blue “VOTE HANFORD” circle on a white background.

If you're old enough to remember the Burma Shave signs you've got the general idea. If you're not, you're in for a treat because they are already beginning to pop up around the countryside, towns, villages, and suburbs that make up Onondaga County's 6th Legislative District.

Ready for some examples? They range from the simple BE YOU RED/ OR BE YOU BLUE/ PROMISE I'LL WORK/ HARD FOR YOU to the catchy but thought provoking MILK PRICE IS RISING/ WHEN WILL IT STOP?/ WITH CARS EATING CORN/ WE'RE IN FOR A SHOCK! and the locally oriented HOUSES FOR SALE/ ALL ALONG OUR LAKE/ OUT OF TOWN ASSESSORS/ WAS IT A MISTAKE?

As a life-long area resident, who has herself suffered through endless phone calls, TV and radio commercials, and bombardments of political mailings, Karen is banking that all of us have reached the “enough is enough” stage and are ready for something a little different. “My goal is to demonstrate an understanding of local and larger issues and put a smile on people's faces at the same time,” explained Hanford. “Putting People First is my campaign slogan. I thought, how can I reach out to all the people in District 6 (Camillus, Skaneateles, Marcellus, Otisco, and Spafford) without annoying them in the process. Hope you all enjoy my 100 solutions as much as I enjoyed writing them.” You be the judge. Currently there are 100 unique sets in production and Hanford's Campaign encourages one and all to vote for a favorite at: karenhanford.com, just click on Karen's Signs. New slogans suitable for the general public are welcomed at KarenDistrict6@aol.com. As the candidate wrote, HERE'S THE MESSAGE/ I'M TRYING TO SAY/ MY WORK IS FOR NOTHING/ IF YOU STAY AWAY/ VOTE HANFORD.

Online Article, Tuesday, May 15, 2007

There's Green on Them Hills

The Hanfords have a plan for green housing development in Marcellus. The big news at the Hanford’s Sycamore Hills Mother’s Day Garden Tour goes beyond the picture perfect day and the outstanding support for Baltimore Woods Centers for Nature Education. It lies in the potential future of Marcellus’ West Hill, which the Hanfords would like to go green . . .
Read the article . . .

Press Release, Friday, April 20, 2007

The Difference Between a Band-Aid and a Cure

I am very pleased to hear that the Onondaga County Legislature has placed the issue of health and obesity on its agenda. Two years ago, appearing with my county legislature opponents in front of The Post-Standard editorial board, I focused on the idea of better health education for area residents as the best low-cost method for cutting health care spending, public or private.

As I offered my comments regarding the personal responsibility we all share to improve and maintain our health, the remark was made, "Aren't you the Democrat?" I would like to say here that the words "personal responsibility" and "Democrat" are not mutually exclusive; neither is "saving taxpayers' dollars," as I learned at a recent session of the legislature in which it was the Democrats working to repeal or reduce the 1 percent sales tax increase that we all continue to pay on a daily basis throughout Onondaga County.

And while you are thinking about how to save taxpayer dollars, please think about this as well. It is generally accepted that 90 percent of all health problems are habit-related (i.e. smoking, overeating, lack of exercise). Onondaga County could set a national example and use our existing public education system to teach our future citizens the habits of good health.

Our school systems can weave nutritional and other health information into every subject: converting grams to ounces can teach math, reading labels can teach reading, understanding the burning of calories can teach science, following the course of communicable disease through the Black Plague can teach history.

Learning what creates and maintains good health is a lifetime lesson that impacts quality of life throughout a community. Putting a real focus on health in public education and learning for a fuller and healthier life is a program that can be pioneered in our county using existing resources and saving taxpayer dollars short- and long-term.

Press Release, Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Hanford Attends Onondaga County Legislature Meeting

Today, from 2:30 until 4:45, I sat in the public seating in Room 440 to attend the monthly meeting of the Onondaga County Legislature and I left sobered. The seats are hard and the Robert's Rules of Order took center stage rarely interrupted by any true debate about how to spend taxpayers' dollars.

Today I saw creative individuals; individuals who work well in a very structured environment; individual participators; hard workers; focused proponents of a single issue; the well-prepared, the sort of prepared, and the less thoughtfully prepared….all with a single goal…to do their best to govern our county and make good decisions for all of our futures.

I realized that if I am elected in 2007 as District 6 County Legislator I will be a goat amongst the sheep…an individual with a different approach to the task of solving problems. I put myself in that room, on those committees and thought, “What would I do differently to put life, synergy, and vitality into our County Legislature? What could I add to this mix of hard working, well-intentioned individuals that would make the critical difference to all of our futures?

First, I would not succumb to unconditional acceptance of the status quo. Second, I would look for areas of agreement and a level, respectful playing field…that's where consensus is built and maintained, that's what great government can offer to its citizens, that's how solutions are formulated. In my opinion, to move our county into a better future, county legislators must work together, not bicker, look for points of difference, or score points off one another.

I invite you as a citizen of our county to join me at next month's meeting and use the public press to share with all of us what you see.

In the words of Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis who served from 1916 until 1939, “The most important political office is that of private citizen.” Join me and serve by attending the monthly sessions of our County Legislature.

Press Release, Sunday, March 25, 2007

Hanford Receives Spafford Endorsement

Sunday night, Karen Hanford continued the candidate interview process for Onondaga County Legislator for the 6th District and met with Spafford Democrats at the home of Rick and Chris Fesko. Rick Fesko is a member of the Town Council of Spafford. Chris is the Executive Director of the Spafford Democratic Party.

Attending were a dozen members of the Spafford Democratic Party including The Spafford Democratic Committee: Committee Chairman Hi H, Jim O'Connell; Spafford Town Council member, Merrill Clark; Rose Clark, and Donna Nash. Discussion covered Mrs. Hanford's extensive preparation for this her second bid for the County Legislature.

Hanford opened her remarks with, "Thanks to existing strong volunteer commitment, extremely well-organized town committees, and an early surge in funding we are very well positioned for a winning 2007 campaign. The changing tide in local, state, and national politics is an added bonus."

Karen Hanford is a lifelong resident of Onondaga County and has lived with her family in Marcellus since her husband George's return from military service in 1971. She has served as a member of the Marcellus School Board, Cazenovia College Board, and Landmark Theater Board. She is currently a member of Onondaga College's Foundation Board and is being considered for the Foundation Board of St. Camillus. Karen is employed by Hanford Pharmaceuticals and is a member of Hanford's Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Operating Committee.

"I am committed to serving the people of the 6th district,” Hanford stated, adding, "My primary concerns are economic development, public health, and environmental issues with a strong focus on the practical needs of local business and our farm community.”

The Spafford Democratic Committee unanimously endorsed Karen Hanford as candidate for District 6 Onondaga County Legislature.

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