Oct. 23—As part of our coverage of the upcoming election, The Daily Star sent interview questions to candidates for contested offices, as well as key races where the sole candidate is running unopposed, in our coverage area of Otsego, Delaware, Schoharie and Chenango counties at the federal, state, county and municipal levels.
Below are the responses from candidates for city of Oneonta Common Council. The council is the governing body of the city and is made up of representatives from the city’s eight electoral wards.
The seats in the First and Eighth wards are up for election. The council members currently in office were appointed to fill vacancies.
Although the Seventh Ward seat is vacant, the vacancy was announced after the date necessary to have an election.
First Ward
Elayne Mosher Campoli
Why are you running for office?
I believe in Oneonta and I’m committed to working hard to find compassionate, effective and responsible solutions to address challenges. I’ve demonstrated this through my record of community service. When the council position became vacant, I saw a need in my community and I knew I could make a difference. I bring many skills to the position and I have the capacity and determination to learn what is needed. Communication is essential to create transparency and I will uphold these values in public service. I want to make a difference, and I’m dedicated to my family, friends and wider community.
Describe your experience or qualifications for office.
I’m investing time and energy to get involved, listening and learning about the needs and strengths of the city and interests of Ward 1 residents. In my work as a CCM, I coordinate services and benefits, juggle multiple needs, organize and facilitate meetings and respectful interactions, maintain compliance, and am familiar with social services and healthcare systems. I’m a founding member and former president of Otsego Pride Alliance, known for organizing an annual Pridefest in the city every year. I’m an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta for over 20 years, currently serving as a Board member.
What do you believe are the challenges and opportunities facing Oneonta?
Oneonta is a hometown with a lot of heart. This city is special and has a lot going for it! Overall, the City of Oneonta is in a strong financial position and we have a community that really cares and looks out for each other. The upcoming budget for 2025 faces some significant challenges especially due to the increasing cost of health insurance. Access to services, housing for year-round residents, and climate justice are challenges, but also present us opportunities to get creative and come up with solutions that can lead to economic development in the city.
Is there a particular issue that motivated you to run for Common Council?
Community building, and especially access to services like mental health and affordable housing. I got involved with other community members in starting a group called Oneonta Thrives and then joined the Safe Homes and Neighborhoods Task Force work group 2, Community Partnerships, and since joining council have been on Community Wellness Committee and attending Otsego County Human Services meetings in efforts to strengthen service networks. Along with this, outreach to programs including Opportunities for Otsego and Catholic Charities of Chenango County Safe Options Supports have all reinforced the need in our city for affordable housing and improved access to services.
What do you want to accomplish while in office?
Improve quality of life for all who call Oneonta home by prioritizing public health, affordability and climate smart planning. Increase access to mental health and other human services through collaboration between government and community providers. Create a vibrant city and downtown by supporting small businesses and innovative economic development. Hold the line on taxes and ensure our city is both fiscally responsible and responsive to community needs. Build community with public-private partnerships to expand successful community projects and events like Pridefest.
Rick Ranc
Why are you running for office?
Anyone could say “I want to make the city of Oneonta better.” I agree. People want a safe community and right now downtown and neighborhoods feel less safe. Oneontans see the need to expand those who pay property taxes — 47% of property owners are paying 100% of the taxes. The city of Oneonta ranks in the top ten municipalities in New York state for largest percentage of non-taxable property. That is not sustainable and not good for keeping and attracting businesses. Folks see neighborhood homes deteriorating and lacking upkeep. Those are partial reasons why I am running for the First Ward seat. Just in recent months, the current sitting First Ward person has not effectively moved in a positive direction on any of the aforementioned issues. I will have answers to those problem areas mentioned.
Describe your experience or qualifications for office.
I have dealt successfully with the public from all walks of life as a businessman having started a successful IT business in 2009 from the ground up here in the city of Oneonta. The city of Oneonta needs to be run more like a business. I know that you can’t be spending money you don’t have. The folks in the First Ward and the city of Oneonta need someone like me who knows the value of a dollar. I have the ability to determine the difference between wants and needs.
Modern day technology is part of a highly functioning municipality. My experiences and knowledge in Information Technology will aid the city of Oneonta in making good decisions. From a personal perspective, I am a trustee of the Masons, for years I was a Little League coach in Oneonta, I have sponsored Little League activities over the years and was a pee-wee football coach in Oneonta.
What do you believe are the challenges and opportunities facing Oneonta?
The public feeling safe both in downtown and in neighborhoods are challenges. Folks in the First Ward and throughout neighborhoods in the city of Oneonta have seen public safety deteriorate. I would support the addition of police officers to the OPD at the level requested in the multi-page document released to the common council some time ago.
Some folks who live in the city of Oneonta don’t frequent downtown and haven’t over the last few years, especially in the nearly last three years. That’s a challenge. Throwing large amounts of money at the problem will not solve this. Jibber-jabbering will not solve this. People who have a financial stake in the game must not be given a bleacher seat and the jibber-jabbers get the seats behind home plate.
Is there a particular issue that motivated you to run for Common Council?
Yes, those issues are: public safety and safe neighborhoods, getting the homeless off the streets, 47% of the property owners paying 100% of the property taxes, looking for other revenue sources other than raising property taxes, making sure our streets and sidewalks are in good shape, creating an atmosphere where businesses and folks want to stay in the city of Oneonta. Many long time folks have said among themselves, “If it gets any worse, we are getting out.” I will get to the bottom of this mindset and if it is something that the city administration is doing or not doing, I will be a very loud voice to correct the situation.
What do you want to accomplish while in office?
Every challenge and opportunity I have previously mentioned will be prioritize and the opinions of First Ward residents (under First Ward United) will help me push for the solutions to challenges and opportunities I have mentioned.
Eighth Ward
Don Mathisen
Why are you running for office?
I’ve reported on elected officials for many years. Now as an elected official I have the opportunity to make decisions about how the city of Oneonta operates, local property tax rates, and services the city delivers to residents.
Describe your experience or qualifications for office.
As a reporter I spent many years covering governments and elected officials. During the course of my work I learned about the functions of local, state and federal governments, how decisions are made, and the impacts those decisions have on the public. With that background and interest I now have an understanding of how the city of Oneonta’s government works and how to make it deliver for residents.
What do you believe are the challenges and opportunities facing Oneonta?
The main challenge Oneonta faces is an imbalance between for profit companies and not-for-profits. The city does not have enough for-profit companies that pay high wages and provide good benefits. I want to encourage more for profit businesses to locate or start up here. If the area has more jobs, people and housing will follow. Another challenge is providing existing services without raising property taxes beyond the state mandated property tax cap.
The city also has opportunities. We have two colleges with a lot of smart, ambitious employees and students. We want to retain the adults and encourage the students to stay after graduation. We live in a beautiful part of New York state. We need to capitalize on what nature has given us — water, mountains, forests and wonderful a countryside. These are asset that we can use to encourage people and businesses to locate here.
Is there a particular issue that motivated you to run for Common Council?
I have reached an age where I want to do public service. I have the time and drive to do the job.
I want the city to have a fiscally responsible budget and, when appropriate, expand municipal services.
EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel
