Legislator Cody Kelly making the rounds in 14th District

Published in the Star Review.

Onondaga County Legislator Cody Kelly may soon need a new pair of shoes.

That’s because he’s wearing his current pair out walking the neighborhoods of his 14th District and talking directly with those he represents. The district encompasses a large portion of the Town of Clay.

“Every door is an opportunity to help someone and answer their questions” Legislator Kelly says.

That’s important to him.

“My role has never been about politics or party” he says. “It’s about making a meaningful difference in people’s everyday lives and working on their behalf. Unfortunately, we’re in a climate where some of my colleagues in the Legislature have lost sight of that. I’m proud that I haven’t, and I never will.”

Legislator Kelly was appointed to his seat in 2021, and ran for election later that year. In his first year on the ballot, he outperformed his opponent by more than 1,200 votes. He won reelection in 2023 and 2025 after running unopposed.

In his time serving, he’s voted annually to lower county property tax rates. He’s continually supported programs to keep kids safe, and invest in their education. Legislator Kelly has secured funding for road and infrastructure work, and increased funding for public safety initiatives. This year, he successfully advocated for a cap on county sales tax for gasoline, critical at a time many are struggling with high prices at the pump. Kelly also circulated a petition which prevented a $4,000 increase in utility bills for New Yorkers, when energy costs have already skyrocketed.

These are all things Legislator Kelly has heard about from the people he’s visited in the Newbury Woods, Appaloosa Trail, Mirage Lane, Country Meadow and Merrill Farms neighborhoods. His pedometer has logged thousands of steps, and the late sunsets this time of year are helping him stay out longer.

Along the way, he’s met some great people, such as a long-time small business owner who served with the U.S. Army in Korea, and a woman very concerned about title theft and property fraud, who he helped put as ease by sharing details of the County Clerk’s alert system, which acts as a safeguard.

Many ask about the transformational Micron project that is close-to-home for everyone in Legislator Kelly’s district. He himself lives less than 5 minutes away from the construction site.

“I’m fortunate that I’ve been involved in the Micron conversations from the start” he says. “I’ve spent countless hours combing through environmental reviews, attended many public hearings, and I’m prepared to discuss everything going on with the project. I’m continuously fighting to make sure that project is done right to benefit our whole region, while protecting our environment and improving our quality of life.”

Legislator Kelly prides himself on talking with and helping those in his district all the time – whether it’s an election year or not. This year, he’s hoping for their support in November. But serving his community has always been about showing up every day, listening to people, and doing the work that makes a difference in people’s lives.

He adds, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve and I’ll continue working with the same focus, determination, and sense of responsibility to help build a stronger future for everyone I represent.”