Unfortunately, during an election, it is easy for a political candidate to say they will do this or that when really, they may just be saying whatever to be elected.  Well, I am not a politician, I am a community member like you who decided that just maybe I can use my skill and value set to help improve our village. 

 

I am not a self-proclaimed guru of finances or a savant with laws and regulations or a lifelong resident favorite but really do any of those characteristics make a good mayor?  The answer is a simple no.  My wife and I selected Scotia to put grow our family over thirty years ago and honestly being the Mayor of Scotia is about vision, collaboration, leadership, managing, being unafraid to make hard decisions, it is about having the RIGHT skill set.  My experiences both in my work history and community involvement have provided me with the skill set needed. 

 

Together we will use our collective efforts and dedication to create a vision and plan that will renew the greatness of the place we call home, Scotia.  I can and will promise you one thing, I will work tirelessly for you the people to make our plan happen.  Here is how we will get started.

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• Protecting the Taxpayer - Our taxes have over the past 6 years spiraled out of control.  Unchecked spending, a lack of long-term planning, and no revenue generation plan has put us in a situation where if we do not get tax dependency under control, we will not be able to survive.  Upon taking office create a citizen's finance committee that will be a sounding board and idea generator to help reduce our dependency upon taxes and increase our generation of additional revenue.  I will bring in a grant writer who, supplemented by citizens of our village to seek out and apply for each and every opportunity that provides revenue to support existing services and help expand address deficiencies we face in our village today.  This will not be a slash and burn approach administrative exercise but a budgeting development process that seeks to bring new revenue streams and revenue generation opportunities that will enhance our tax base growth to lessen the growing tax burden on the tax payors of Scotia.

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• Transparency - Local governments have a responsibility to be completely transparent to their community.  It is not enough to think people know what's happening in our community it is imperative the leaders of our village make it a priority to share information as rapidly and comprehensively as possible clearly, concisely, and through multiple means.  As mayor, I will hold regularly scheduled town gathers so can ask your question and get answers, so your suggestions and concerns will be heard, and to learn what's new and exciting in your village.

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• Business Revitalization - The key to maintaining the integrity of every municipality is to develop a strong business community that grows and expands in an intelligent and planned way.  We must and will rebuild our business corridor and support all businesses throughout our village while opening more opportunities for existing businesses to expand and opportunities for more businesses to call Scotia their home.  We will seek grants and fight for business development funds that helped rejuvenate other parts of our county.  I will work to bring more of those funds to our side of the river.  A strong Scotia is a strong Schenectady County.  There are few more impactful ways to revitalize a community than to build a strong business community and we will give our businesses the attention and help they need to make themselves strong.  When my wife and I walk the "Avenue" or stop at one of our other businesses in the village I inevitably will stop and turn to her and say you know with some real attention our business community could look like the downtown in a Hallmark movie.  I will work with all the business leaders and existing business groups to work in bringing the resources necessary to make our business community one that others strive to be like.  We will create a vision and make our decisions based upon that long-term vision and not just what looks good today. 

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• Maintaining Our Services and Unique Identity - People choose to live in Scotia because of the unique quality of life that we can provide.  That includes personalized, community-based services rather than those of other municipalities that might rely on the County or even State to provide them.  We have outstanding Fire, Police, and Public services in our community, and we need to find sustainable ways to preserve these services while also ensuring that they are an affordable expense for our Scotia residents.  In doing so, we will prioritize public safety and also the health and safety of our first responders and village employees in their work environment.

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• Revitalizing Our Infrastructure - Our aging village infrastructure has been neglected for too long and is in desperate need of attention.  Roadways, sidewalks, bridges, water and sewer systems – the vital elements that keep our village running – need to be addressed and revitalized.  Over the past several years, without responsible fiscal management, we have not been unable to invest in many of the necessary infrastructure improvements.  Ignoring a problem does not resolve it, and it is only a matter of time before these issues result in more severe – and expensive – emergency repairs.  The first step in revitalizing the infrastructure is to create a plan that identifies the needs by priority and then by creating the economic freedom to make those proactive investments – this can only be done with planning and responsible financial management. 

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• Investing in Our Youth - The single greatest commodity of any village, town county, or state is its youth.  However, it is easy to sometimes lose sight of the needs of our village children.  I will work to create opportunities for additional for our children.  We will seek funding from the county, state, and federal programs and will work with community groups and surrounding areas, including our town to explore and create opportunities in arts, music, sports, and theater. and other service areas.  I will work to secure funding so we can establish a robust summer work program for our young people and work with our local schools to establish learning opportunities for law enforcement, fire and paramedic, and public works.  Scotia is a community of families, a village unlike any other, with many life-long residents, and it is not uncommon for today’s Scotia children to become your neighbors tomorrow.  One of the most important lessons I hoped I conveyed as a member of the Scotia-Glenville Board of Education and as board president was that investing in our youth is investing in our future.

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• Collaboration with our Neighbors - For Scotia to be able to maintain its uniqueness and independence it needs to create positive relationships with our town and our county.  We will work with the Town of Glenville and the County of Schenectady as well as other surrounding municipalities to develop opportunities that can benefit the village and its citizens.  We will continue the existing beneficial relations in place and work to create better and more positive relationships with the town and more beneficial relationships with the county.  A strong Scotia is a strong Glenville a strong Scotia is a strong County of Schenectady.

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• Independent Voice- A village is about the people who live in it. It is about the character of its residents.  It is about the proudness of who we are and what we stand for.  It is about the inclusiveness of all voices and all its people.  It is about Scotia and not about patrician politics that have hampered this village for many years.  Every citizen's voice, every business owner's words, and every employee's concerns will be heard with an open mind and equal value.  Scotia will rise above others and truly become a government of its people driven by what is right for our village.

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