Q&A -- Kingston "Meet the Mayoral Candidates" UC Chamber Breakfast 2011-10-14

Q&A -- Kingston "Meet the Mayoral Candidates" UC Chamber Breakfast 2011-10-14

Kingston mayoral candidates speak at Ulster Chamber breakfast

Four candidates, each vying for Kingston's mayoral election, spoke at the monthly Ulster County Chamber of Commerce breakfast Friday morning. Democrat Shayne Gallo is in a four-way race against Republican Ron Polacco and Conservative Richard Cahill, Jr. Outsider Steve Ladin is also running on his home-spun Red Dog Party ticket.

"We need change," urged Gallo. "We can't afford any vacant storefronts," he said. "If the quality of life in this great city doesn't improve, people are going to move." Gallo added that Kingston needs a mayor "who understands that our greatest asset is our heritage, our pride -- which gives us a sense of place." Gallo stated, "I feel that I'm the only candidate running who has the necessary skills to accomplish the difficult tasks which lie ahead. The problems may seem daunting, but they're not insurmountable."

Polacco raised similar points. "Our city's not what it should be, we're moving in the wrong direction," he complained. "Nobody's going to move their business, their family here, send their kids to school on Broadway with the way it is." Polacco cited Midtown blight. "Gotta clean it up, that's the first step -- much like New York City with Times Square," concluding, "We have to cut spending, create an efficient city government that works for the people -- lowers taxes for everyone, helps business flourish, make our hometown safe and affordable."

Cahill offered details for his innovative plans. He boasted, "I'm the only candidate that answers the question, 'how?'" He pledged to shut down the ineffective economic development apparatus, "I will close that office and replace it with an economic growth team, made up of entrepreneurs." Cahill explained, "Here you are trying to swim in the ocean of the economy, and the government -- with their taxes and regulations -- is putting a great millstone around your neck, and telling you to sink or swim."

Underdog Steve Ladin stated "The first principle of leadership is moral accountability." He presented his solution for midtown crime. "Public safety is a very important issue," Ladin said. "Get a squad of people, bring street sweepers back to the city of Kingston. If we give them a cell phone, have them in every neighborhood, they can be a contact for the police, and also assist some of our senior citizens," Ladin suggested. "This kind of a program would not cost the city anything."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Ladin
• Polacco
• Cahill
• Gallo
• Kingston
• Mayor
• 2012