Brighter Baldwinsville

04/18/2026

Join Jim Dale, candidate for mayor of the Village of Baldwinsville, for a town hall meeting Monday, May 4, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Baldwinsville Public Library, 33 E. Genesee Street.

11/06/2025

11/05/2025

Congratulations to Paul Dreher-Wiberg and Robert Rubinstein for Baldwinsville Village Justice on your wins tonight!

11/04/2025

2+ hours left! Get out and vote!

Our recommendations for Baldwinsville, Lysander, and NY Supreme Court races:

Village trustee: Paul Dreher-Wiberg (either on Democratic or Brighter Baldwinsville line)

Village justice: Robert Rubinstein (Democratic line)

Lysander highway superintendent: Carl Magdziuk (Democratic line)

Lysander Town Council: (Vote for 2) Ed Schmitt (on either the Democratic or Conservative line) AND
Vincent Mangan (on either the Republican or Conservative line)

All 4 Democratic Supreme Court candidates.

Yes to both referenda on the back

11/01/2025

To the editor of the Baldwinsville Messenger: (This letter did not make it into this week's print edition, but is online.)

I am outraged by the message the Baldwinsville Village Party is attempting to use as their campaign strategy this year. They are pushing the claim that Brighter Baldwinsville, the other local party, is trying to bring “national political issues” into the village to incite fear in the citizens of Baldwinsville and drive voter turnout this cycle. This claim is simply NONSENSE. The idea that Brighter Baldwinsville, or even the Lysander Democratic Committee for that matter, is being “controlled” by a national party in order to make “national political issues” a part of Baldwinsville life is RIDICULOUS.

Do they know what “national political issues” are? Do they want you to believe that we are addressing national issues like immigration reform, healthcare, Social Security, voting rights, LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, etc.? I challenge anyone to find an instance of a Brighter Baldwinsville or Democratic candidate running for election in village races talking about any of these issues. Rather, our candidates are focused on LOCAL ISSUES like pedestrian safety, reducing dangerous truck traffic in the village, obtaining grants for village improvements, improving code enforcement, waterfront development, village beautification, tourism, and attracting businesses and residents to our fine community.

The Village Party claims that last year’s overwhelming choice by Baldwinsville voters to move elections from a random March date to election day in November means that “national issues” MUST NOW be a part of every village election cycle. Again, this is NONSENSE, but that hasn’t deterred them from exploiting this issue and making it part of their own political calculus. They desperately want village residents to believe that local priorities like those being addressed by Brighter Baldwinsville and the local Lysander Democratic Committee will be supplanted by “national politics” just because election day changed. They, in fact, have purposefully chosen this political tactic to prey upon the fears of Baldwinsvillians. As a village resident and voter, I find this completely distasteful and obviously in line with divisive “national politics."

We ran a positive and clean campaign in 2024 and we are determined to do the same now in 2025. And so, we proudly proclaim that we love this village, that our focus is squarely on addressing local issues that will continue to make Baldwinsville a great place to live, to work and to raise families.

We. Are. Democrats. We think that’s a good thing because people want to know if they share the values of the candidates we place on the ballot. To paraphrase the mayor at the October 16 village meeting, “there are four good people running for village o􀆯ice. I encourage you to get to know them and vote for the ones that most closely align with your values.”

I personally ask you to support Rev. Paul Dreher-Wiberg, candidate for Village Trustee on the Brighter Baldwinsville and Democratic Party lines; and Robert Rubinstein, candidate for Village Justice on the Democratic Party line and endorsed by Brighter Baldwinsville.

Jim Dale
Brighter Baldwinsville party chair
Lysander Democratic Committee vice-chair

10/27/2025

Village postcards have arrived! Thanks to the volunteers who supported our campaign with their time, talents, and postage. Hope you enjoy the beautiful election reminders in your mailbox!

10/24/2025

After all the petitions signed and all the votes cast in 2024, Baldwinsville finally gets to vote on the actual Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4! Vote early starting Oct. 25 at one of the locations listed below or at your regular polling place on Election Day!

We ask you to consider voting for our Brighter Baldwinsville candidates:

-Rev. Paul Dreher-Wiberg is running for Village Trustee to fill a vacancy. Paul is on both the Brighter Baldwinsville and the Democratic Party lines. But only vote for one!

-Robert Rubinstein for Baldwinsville Village Justice is running for a 4-year term to serve as village justice. Rob is on the Democratic Party line and endorsed by Brighter Baldwinsville.

OK, Baldwinsville, this is what you voted for! After signing petitions and showing up to vote in 2024, you finally get to vote in village elections on actual Election Day!! We're counting on you to vote in all the races, but especially for the village offices that are up this year.

We have one open Village Trustee seat to fill a vacancy because of a resignation earlier this year. The winner will fill the seat for one year and the seat will be up for a 4-year election in November 2026.

The Village Justice office is also up for election to fill a vacancy after a resignation. The winner will hold the seat for four years.

Please vote on Tuesday, November 4 at your regular polling place, or vote early starting tomorrow at the locations listed below! Make YOUR voice heard!

10/21/2025

Paul Dreher-Wiberg, candidate for Village Trustee, in his own words:

NAME: Paul Dreher-Wiberg

PARTY: I am a member of the Brighter Baldwinsville and Democratic parties

DESIRED POSITION: Village Trustee

1. What background and accomplishments make you the ideal candidate?

Born in Staten Island, I grew up just outside of Baldwinsville from age 14. I am a veteran of the US Navy, and a graduate of University of Maine (Sociology) and Banger Theological Seminary (M.Div.) I have served as pastor of congregations in Maine, Northern California and Central New York. I have extensive leadership experience. I served as coordinator of Legislative sessions and trainer of session leaders for the California-Nevada Conference, United Methodist Church’s annual meeting. I then served for 6 years as President of Cal-Nevada UMC’s Board of Pensions. At the request of our presiding bishop, I subsequently served as Council for the Church, leading investigations and, when appropriate, prosecutions in cases of clergy misconduct. More recently, having returned to the greater Baldwinsville area, I served as moderator of the Oneida Association, New York Conference, the United Church of Christ (UCC) here in Central New York. I am now retired, and a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Baldwinsville, where I served as interim pastor in 2014-15, and where I currently serve as Tech team leader, overseeing the live streaming of our weekly worship.

2. Why are you running for this position?

I love Baldwinsville, having grown up here. I am a graduate of C.W. Baker High School, and after twenty-five years on the West Coast, I returned to the greater Baldwinsville area in 2004 and have resided within the village for the past four years. I believe that my experience and my ability to work with people and systems in team settings will enable me to make a positive contribution to the village. I believe that Baldwinsville can retain its small-town character while facing the challenges of the future in a region that will soon welcome an influx of new people with the arrival of Micron and its ancillary industries. We have a wonderful quality of life here in Baldwinsville, and I want to be a part of both preserving and enhancing that quality.

3. What are the most important issues the community is facing and what would you do about them?

a. Traffic management, especially truck traffic. Enhanced enforcement of codes and traffic laws.
b. Seeking state and federal resources to assist us in moving thoughtfully into the future.
c. Accountability regarding absentee landlords who do not maintain properties.
d. Careful review of existing codes and updating them to meet contemporary concerns.
e. In general, maintaining and improving quality of life.

10/21/2025

Robert Rubinstein for Baldwinsville Village Justice continues to demonstrate his outstanding judicial temperament in response to an irrelevant post by the Village Party. Rob will bring that same temperament and judgment to the office of village justice. Brighter Baldwinsville has been clear that Rob is not on our party line because when he stepped up to run, it was too late to pass petitions for him. He is, however, heartily endorsed by Brighter Baldwinsville.