Robinson has potential
In the election for Gloversville councilman-at-large, voters will consider which of the three candidates would be the right person as the city struggles through challenging times.
All three - sitting council members James Robinson, a Republican, Ray Hindes, a Democrat, and John Castiglione, a Republican running as an independent after losing the Republican primary to Robinson - have their flaws, but Robinson would be the best choice for the city at this juncture.
Robinson, 54, has a sincere appreciation for his city. He's a Gloversville High School graduate and has served for six years as the city's 3rd Ward councilman. He worked as a union electrician in Albany for 20 years and has been a maintenance electrician for the Tryon youth detention facility in Johnstown for the past two years.
Robinson is pleasant and level-headed, and appears to be a good mediator. As councilman-at-large, he'd have the ability to reach out to the ward council members and help them work together. He'd encourage professional behavior on the council and could limit the bickering and discord we often see among the council members.
We like what we're hearing from Robinson on several issues. He says he wants to reduce city spending to lower a possible 8.5 percent tax increase facing the city. He vows to be honest with the citizens and to make city government more open to the public and information more accessible. He would make an effort to improve the city's relationship with neighboring municipalities.
Robinson says he eventually plans to run for mayor. If he becomes councilman-at-large - essentially the deputy mayor - he'd give the public a preview of how he might perform as mayor.
While we support Robinson, we also challenge him in several areas. If elected to this part-time position, he will have to show strong leadership. He must be prepared to step up at council meetings and take control. He'll have to show serious fiscal restraint and demand spending reductions as the city confronts budget problems and high taxes. He'll have to show up to all council meetings and make himself available to the public.
Robinson would be ineffective if he fails to meet those challenges.
Facebook
MySpace
Digg
Stumble
Mixx
Fark
del.icio.us
LiveSpaces
|
Preacher
|
|
|---|---|
|
10-23-09 10:58 AM
|
I would hardly call this a glowing endorsement folks. Sounds like the LH was forced to choose the lesser of the 3 evils - so to speak.
|
|
MadDog
|
|
|
10-23-09 7:50 AM
|
Folks, great potential but this editorial to me will make me vote for one of the other two guys running, these opions are often way off base, one that comes to mind is when the city and school joined together for a swim program the editorial said that on the surface it seemed like a good deal but looking deeper was totally bad for everyone, after the program ran it turned out to be highly successful with over 1200 people using the program the editor never even gave it a chance and also remember who they endorsed for Mayor, what was his name?
|
|
stratford
|
|
|
10-22-09 7:35 PM
|
The fox news hearald wants people to vote for a tax and spend republican? I'm shocked!
|
|
notgood
|
|
|
10-22-09 6:48 PM
|
Seeing he was a part of a union, I feel he would be no good for any of us.
|
|
stockqueen
|
|
|
10-22-09 1:52 PM
|
Someone who has been on the council for six years and has done absolutely nothing to help clean up the mess in City Hall should not have to be told to show up to meetings. His response on Talk of the Town is that he has a family. If he wins this election is his family going to magically dissappear? He has been very quick to criticize the DPW, but has not once visited their garage to see the junk that the city owns. He doesn't have a clue ....and will never be available....just like the current administration!
|
|
Discobulous
|
|
|
10-22-09 11:15 AM
|
The editor's evaluation is accurate, particularly the admonisions of the last paragraph. This is a 'one more chance' advocacy.
|