District 15’s New County Legislator Continues Focus on Community in Newest Term

By Jose Hernandez

OSWEGO – District 15’s new county legislator, Lee Walker, hopes to use his position to help families in need in Oswego County.

Having already served on the county legislature, Walker will bring his experience into his new term while remaining open to continued learning.

Regardless of party affiliation, Walker believes that everyone who needs help deserves help.

“I’m going to be out there fighting for the little guy. The people who really need it most. Hopefully I can make a difference,” said Walker. “I’m a businessman, but I’m a regular guy, and I never forgot where I came from. If somebody needs a hand, I’m the first one to reach out. I love helping people.”

Through numerous social programs and by exercising financial responsibility in government spending, Walker believes that public servants should serve the public to the fullest of their ability.

A major issue Walker wants to focus on is keeping costs down.

Many Oswego residents likely saw an unusually large increase in their National Grid bill.

The large increase has heavily affected people on fixed incomes, where even a $50 increase in required spending could cause significant problems.

“National Grid needs to be held accountable. People cannot afford those kinds of raises. There has to be something done about that. I just can’t let that go,” said Walker.

Walker hopes to keep taxes stable. After the recent assessment saw a rise for many Oswego residents, many may feel relieved that someone in government has this as a goal.

“A lot of people were affected by the assessment, including myself. My assessment went up 2 fold, so my taxes went up a lot.”

Amid the National Grid increases and the reassessment, there have been recent talks about raising water and sewer rates.

“You can’t just keep taking and taking. With the economy, people have it tough.”

Already having a presence in the Oswego community, Walker plans to continue that presence by fulfilling his public service duties to the best of his abilities.

“I’ve never missed a meeting. I’m trying to keep the streak going. I’d be on vacation with my family, and I’d tell them we need to head back home, I have to be at a meeting,” said Walker.

County legislators get assigned to 2 committees: Walker was assigned to Public Safety and Health, where he will work with other legislators.

This will be Walker’s 3rd time working in Public Safety, the 1st in Health.

Walker was unanimously elected minority whip, which is directly under the minority leader.

“I was proud to be recognized by my peers by getting voted whip unanimously,” said Walker.

The minority whip works closely with the minority leader.

When asked what he was taking from his past experience with

“Fiscally responsible, watching the dollar and cents, trying to have no wasteful spending.”

Owning 2 businesses, Walker believes that if you can’t afford it, you shouldn’t buy it.

“I feel the same way with the county. We need to watch our dollars and cents; they add up to a big number. I want to be the guy who is fiscally responsible.”

When asked about the recent pay increase that caused a stir in Oswego County, Walker exclaimed that he would have never voted for it.

“If anyone looks up my voting record, I’ve never voted for a pay raise.”

Serving in 08-09, while he voted no on a pay raise, it was still passed. Walker decided to donate the difference to the Central New York Food Bank.

Walker plans to donate the entire amount of his County Legislator’s check to programs that provide food to people in need in the community.

This is a continuation of Walker’s efforts to give back to the community.

“When COVID hit, I was the 1st one in Oswego County to do a milk giveaway,” said Walker. He gave away 500 gallons of milk at his own cost.

Walker recently had a food drive at Vona’s, which recently closed its doors.

“Now that Vona’s gone, I have to find a new place to give away food,” said Walker.

Walker’s stepfather, Patrick ‘Paco’ Malone, was a county legislator in 1986. 40 years to the date, Walker is taking the same office.

The first time Walker ran was after Malone died of Leukemia in 1992. The election was to fill out the remainder of the term.

After serving out Malone’s remaining term in office following a special election, Walker decided to run again in the 1993 election, where he won and served an additional 2 years.

During those 2 years, there was a court-ordered redistricting. The result was a decrease in the number of county legislators from 36 to 25.

“I supported it, I voted for it, I’ve always supported reductions in government, and I lost my job,” explained Walker.

After a few failed campaigns, Walker returned to office in 08-09. He chose not to run for re-election.

Walker decided to run again in 2025, winning and is slated to serve as District 15’s county legislator.

Walker’s great-great-grandfather immigrated from Sicily in 1886, became a citizen in 1896, and bought the house Walker currently lives in in 1897.

He attended Leighton School. “I can live anywhere I’d like, but there’s no where I’d rather live than my homestead,” said Walker, “To me it’s 2nd to none.”

Walker’s businesses are closely tied to SUNY Oswego. His work in real estate houses students, and the D Line, a bus service, transports students safely downtown on weekends.

Likely due to his real estate experience, Walker has been added to the Land Bank committee. The Land Bank gets houses from the county and city and fixes them up for families to live in.

He has had involvement on multiple boards here in Oswego, from Harbor Fest’s entertainment board to the local libraries board.

“I’m hoping to make Oswego a better place to live. I was born here, raised here, and I’m going to die here.”

Walker plans to run for reelection next year.

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