In the weeks leading up to Election Day, controversy has surrounded former Town of Seneca Falls employee Ed Thurston, who’s running for highway superintendent, and current Town Supervisor Mike Ferrara. Thurston recently issued a statement to address allegations regarding his previous employment and detailed a contentious relationship with Ferrara.
While Thurston is running for highway superintendent, Ferrera is running for a second term as town supervisor. And with Election Day less than two weeks away – the claims outlined by Thurston have become central in both political races.
Editor’s Note: The entirety of Thurston’s statement can be read at the bottom of this article.
TIMELINE: Thurston details ‘hostile’ work environment
Thurston’s employment with the Town’s Water and Sewer Department began in November 2018. He alleges that beginning in 2020, Supervisor Ferrara began creating a hostile work environment for him, which intensified in the following years. At the crux of the controversy is Thurston’s claim that he was falsely accused of misreporting data on four separate occasions in 2022.
To counter this claim, Thurston says he took the matter to a civil hearing, where he faced the Town’s legal representation from the firm Bond, Schoeneck, and King. This representation raised eyebrows, as Attorney David Ferrara, the brother of Supervisor Mike Ferrara, is affiliated with the firm.
In his statement and during the hearing, Thurston detailed technical concerns about the equipment used in the Water and Sewer Department. He referenced the Hach DR900, a device responsible for logging water entries, and presented supporting documentation from its manufacturer. This documentation outlines ways data might not be saved correctly. Thurston emphasized that the integrity of Seneca Falls’ drinking water was never at risk during his tenure and said he had no reason to falsify records that would risk his employment and licensure.
He remains licensed through the…
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