Schuyler candidates talk finances, gas storage

Oct 29, 2014 at 12:13 am by Observer-Review


Schuyler candidates talk finances, gas storage ADVERTISEMENT

Schuyler candidates talk finances, gas storage

WATKINS GLEN--More than 50 people attended a "Meet the Candidates" Night held by the Schuyler County League of Women Voters Wednesday night, Oct. 22 at the Watkins Glen elementary auditorium. During the forum, candidates for the positions of Schuyler County treasurer, district five legislator and district six legislator discussed where they stood on community issues and answered questions from the public. Many of the public's questions regarded the current financial state of the county as well as where they stand on Crestwood's proposed gas storage plans in the town of Reading.

The treasurer candidates were the first to speak, featuring Harriett Vickio and Margaret Starbuck. Vickio is currently serving as deputy treasurer, while Starbuck has previously served as treasurer for eight years. The candidates kept their statements short, addressing what they would do to fix the issues recently highlighted in an audit by the state comptroller's office.
Vickio was first to speak, highlighting her experience with both private and public sector accounting as well as emphasizing the need for training amongst staff in the treasurer's office.
"There is a lot of opportunity to make changes within our financial statements," Vickio said. She said she plans to continue using the current accounting software the county has, adding there is still "enormous potential for streamlining and time management." Vickio said she is running because "we need a competent treasurer who has integrity who [works] well with everyone."
Starbuck said she enjoyed her job for the eight years she was treasurer, but added the office needs to be properly staffed in order for it to work properly.
"Timely reconciliation is key, along with reporting and knowing what fund balance is," Starbuck said. She also said she would continue using the county's software, as they have kept it up to date. Starbuck said she is running for the office again because "people need a choice, not just be told by the legislature who their next treasurer will be."
Carl Blowers spoke next, who is running unopposed for a legislative district five position. He was allowed to give a three-minute statement to the audience and was not given audience questions to answer. Blowers said he is an experienced businessperson who has spent time serving on several nonprofit boards as well as being involved in the chamber of commerce.
"We need to grow our tax base, which means we need to add new businesses and expand our current tourism business," Blowers said. "But we need to do so while also protecting our natural beauty."
The three candidates for the legislative district six position ended the night, which included write-in candidate Sylvia Fox, incumbent Phil Barnes and Angie Franzese.
Fox spoke first, emphasizing her stance in support of an open, accountable government, while pushing for more transparency. She said government officials need to follow proper procedures from the top down and added officials need to be trained from the bottom up, including legislators.
"Right now I think our government is broken," Fox said. She emphasized her position against the gas storage plan, adding "the resolution [in support of the project] is not the problem, it's the process that is clearly broken."
Barnes spoke next, addressing the strides the county has made when it comes to being more open and saving taxpayer dollars. Referring to the proposed gas storage project, he said "one agenda item is not what county government is all about," adding legislators need to do what is best for the entire county.
"We have no say in it," Barnes said. "We are not controlling the licensing and permit process. All we really wanted is for the governor to do something. [...] Our position really doesn't matter to the state of New York."
Barnes said the reason Schuyler County is the only nearby county who voted in support of gas storage is because other counties -- aside from Yates -- never looked at both sides of the issue, adding "we did our homework."
Franzese spoke last, highlighting her previous legislative experience as her qualifications. In addition to voicing her opposition to the gas storage project, she spoke about the county's current financial situation, saying there needs to be better communication between the legislature and the treasurer.
"Our county is in trouble," Franzese said. "The report from the comptroller's office indicates Schuyler County is under significant fiscal stress."
Franzese continued by citing the legislature's unchanged sales tax revenue budgeting, despite budget shortfalls in prior years.
Each candidate also addressed the possibility of holding committee workshops after working hours so more members of the public are able to attend. Both Fox and Franzese supported the idea. Barnes agreed in theory they could be held at night, but added the meetings are usually sparsely attended to the point where legislators begin to question why they are holding such meetings.
Phil Palmesano (R,C--Corning) will be running unopposed for his 132nd District seat in the assembly, while Tom O'Mara (R--Big Flats) is also running unopposed in the state senate's 58th District.
Other positions to be elected in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election include Jagmohan Singh running for a four-year coroner position and Benjamin J. Saks running unopposed for an unexpired coroner term.
In Cayuta, Freeman L. Bischoff and Steven Brown are running for an unexpired term for town council. There is also an open position for an unexpired town clerk/tax collector position.
In Hector, Daniel J. Fitzsimmons is running unopposed for town justice. In Orange, Daniel A. Tiemann and Carol N. Rhoades are running for an unexpired town council position.
In Tyrone, Richard M. Game and Donald J. Desrochers will compete over an unexpired town supervisor position, while Mia A. Clemens, Edward J. Perry Sr. and Michele M. Gee are running for an unexpired town council position.
Congressman Tom Reed (R--Corning) is running as an incumbent against Martha Robertson, while Eric T. Schneiderman, John Cahill, Ramon Jimenez and Carl E. Person will be competing for attorney general.
Thomas P. DiNapoli will be running as an incumbent for the state comptroller position against Robert Antonacci and John Clifton. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Kathy C. Hochul are running for the governor and lieutenant governor positions respectively against Rob Astorino with Chris Moss, Howie Hawkins with Brian P. Jones, Steven Cohn with Bobby K. Kalotee and Michael McDermott with Chris Edes.
The polling booths will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. the day of the election. For a complete list of polling locations, visit http://www.schuylercounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/2676.

$element(adman,groupads,YatesRight5)$


$element(adman,groupads,YatesRight12)$


$element(adman,groupads,YatesRight1)$


$element(adman,groupads,YatesRight3)$


$element(adman,groupads,YatesRight6)$


$element(adman,groupads,YatesRight2)$


$element(adman,groupads,SchuylerRight2)$

Sections: NEWS 1