Two newcomers and one incumbent are looking to fill two open seats on the Village of Phelps Board of Trustees in the upcoming village election.
Village residents can vote from noon to nine p.m. on March 18 at the Phelps Community Center in the Village Meeting Room, 8 Banta Street in Phelps.
Trustees serve four-year terms each, and the annual salary for the current trustees is $4,197. The Village of Phelps, located in Ontario County, has a population of 1,862, according to the World Population Review.
Who is running for village trustee in Phelps?
Michael Trickey is an HVAC and multi‑trade maintenance technician for Cornell University’s AgriTech campus in Geneva. He has lived in the village of Phelps for three years and serves as a part‑time driver for Phelps Ambulance and is a volunteer firefighter with the Village of Phelps Fire Department.
Christy Howard has been a lifelong resident of the village of Phelps. She has worked as a nurse for over 20 years and is currently working as a clinical nurse navigator at the Lipson Cancer Center in Clifton Springs. Howard serves as the Secretary of the Midlakes School District’s Parent Teacher Organization, where she said she supports students, school staff and PTO initiatives within the district.
Howard Hughson currently serves as the Village of Phelps deputy mayor and has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 1995, according to the Village of Phelps’ website. He is an alumni of Phelps Central School and has been a member of the village’s fire department since 1970. Hughson served in the U.S. Air Force from 1966 to 1970, and he is currently retired from the New York State Police Department, where he worked as a communications specialist for 36 years.
Hughson could not be reached for comment on the 2026 village election.
What is Michael Trickey’s main issue?
“Although I’ve never held an elected position before, I’m committed to serving the village.
“I have lived in the Village of Phelps for three years, and my family has long-standing roots in the community.
“While I don’t believe there is one single major issue, I do feel that with new housing developments coming, the lack of a walkable grocery store should be addressed,” Trickey said in response to a Democrat and Chronicle question.
What is Christy Howard’s main issue?
“One of the biggest issues facing the Village of Phelps, New York, is continuing to strengthen our downtown while supporting sustainable growth for residents and businesses.
“Although we have seen positive investment in recent years, we must keep the momentum going by attracting new businesses, improving building conditions, and creating welcoming public spaces.
“I would address this by continuing to support revitalization efforts, encouraging partnerships with local business owners, and listening closely to residents’ ideas.
“By working collaboratively and building on the progress already underway, we can preserve Phelps’ small-town character while creating new opportunities for economic growth and community pride,” Howard said in response to a Democrat and Chronicle question.
— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who covers breaking and trending news for the Finger Lakes Region. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Who is running for trustee in the village of Phelps?
Reporting by Madison Scott, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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