Four seek Gloversville’s top post
By KAYLEIGH KARUTIS, The Leader-HeraldArticle Photos
GLOVERSVILLE - While the four candidates for mayor here have differing views about how to address the city's problems, all agree the victor will take the helm of a city in dire financial straits.
With the city facing a budget gap of more than $1 million, the candidates - Democrat Judy Marcoux, Republican JoAnn Clear, Conservative Dirk Myers and independent Dayton King - agree that while the city must trim the budget, the incoming mayor also will need fresh ideas about how to generate more revenue.
Myers said the city must work with local business development organizations and also reach out to communities across the Capital Region.
"We have to let people know what's here and how it can benefit them," he said. "We have to work closely with the Economic Development Corporation, the [Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry] and the Gloversville2020 group."
Myers said he wants the proposed budgets to have more detailed information outlining exactly what each line item amount is paying for. That would help the mayor and Common Council develop a more precise budget, he said.
Myers, who is the general manager of Bow Tie Movieland in Schenectady, said his experience in business for the past 30 years puts him ahead of the other candidates. He said he plans to leave his job if elected.
"I'm the only candidate that is in the business world right now," he said. "I deal with these issues every day."
Myers said he sees the blight and failing neighborhoods as one of the biggest problems facing the city. He said if elected, he hopes to address blight more forcefully and plans to take on absentee landlords that don't maintain their properties.
Clear, who edged King in the Republican primary, said to bring in more revenue, the city must encourage growth around the incoming Wal-Mart Supercenter.
"I really think development in that area ... is key," she said.
Clear said encouraging growth downtown also will be important. She said the city must work with the owners of the downtown buildings to help them create housing and possibly office space on the upper floors. She suggested some tax abatements for such work to encourage growth.
Clear, who is retired, said she hopes to use her financial background to help bring the city to more stable footing. She was finance commissioner for the city from 1986 to 1989 and has a lengthy professional background in finance.
"I understand how serious the dilemma facing the city is," she said. "It's one thing to attend Gloversville2020 and [Business Improvement District] meetings. It's another to understand what they're talking about."
Clear said there is a lack of pride among some city residents and the city must "teach respect for others."
At 31, independent Dayton King is the youngest of the four candidates. He works at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center and said, if elected, he plans to keep two or three shifts there from about 4 a.m. to 8 to 10 a.m. King said his job at Wal-Mart would not interfere with his duties as mayor.
King said his energy and enthusiasm set him apart from his competitors. He said while he understands the dire financial situation the city is in, the mayor must also act as a promoter of the city who can emphasize the good rather than the bad. He said the city also must work to develop more revenue sharing projects with the surrounding municipalities.
"We need a mayor who will work with the EDC, the BID, the chamber, and get more private investment here," he said. "We need to promote the good and build on that. We need to look to other places across the state and get ideas from them."
King said the mayor must work to change the perception of the city among its residents. He said he plans to do that.
"We can change it around and show that we have good people. The city needs someone who will come out and stand up for our city rather than let the minority be louder," he said.
Marcoux, who knocked Mayor Tim Hughes out of the race with a win in the Democratic primary, said she hopes to bring professionalism, accountability and confidence back to City Hall if she is elected. She said old attitudes of opposition between Gloversville and the city of Johnstown must stop, and she said the city must examine sharing equipment and services with Johnstown in order to save money.
To combat blight and also generate more revenue from code enforcement, Marcoux said she favors creating a code enforcer position separate from the Fire Department that can issue tickets and fines immediately, rather than going through the lengthy and expensive court system.
Marcoux, who is retired, said she plans to surround herself with qualified individuals, particularly in the finance department, because the mayor must wear many hats and not just act as finance commissioner.
"I'm not running for finance commissioner. The mayor does not have the time to micromanage the city's finances," she said.
Marcoux said her background in finance as a property manager in Las Vegas and her love of the city and the unique perspective she gained as deputy historian uniquely qualify her to be mayor.
The mayor's term is four years, and the salary is approximately $39,000 a year.
Polls will be open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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TiredOfTax
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10-31-09 11:39 PM
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Republican state Assemblywoman Dierdre Scozzafava has suspended her campaign for upstate New York's 23rd Congressional District seat, giving a possible boost to Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman against Democrat Bill Owens, Fox News has confirmed. Some people just know how to play the game. Unlike Dayton's failing bid.
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AreaResident
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10-31-09 7:04 PM
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"Candidates don't pick their supporters...." I couldn't have said it better, myself. Thanks for forgiving King for his civilized response to Hughes' acceptance of his loss. As it happens, Al, I live here in Gloversville, where the only acorns are now being collected and buried by squirrels (who probably wish they could begin their hibernation early to avoid these annual election seasons.) It's so odd that you are obsessed with other people's online names when you hide behind so many different ones on so many different sites. The real Al Lebo always comes through, though. -- Jason Fazzio
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Adirondackal
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10-31-09 5:50 PM
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Candidates don't pick their supporters, AR. People pick candidates. This isn't Chicago or New York City or wherever the Democratic party and ACORN rule. Real people live here and they vote. And the allegations that conservatives are somehow less than the great liberals are as old as the main stream media where you live. And what is hillarious to me is that so few of the supporters of Dayton King actually use their real names, AREA RESIDENT. Do you have that much to hide?
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AreaResident
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10-31-09 5:14 PM
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Apparently "forthecommunity" missed Al's post reminding everyone that a candidate's family is off limits.
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AreaResident
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10-31-09 5:07 PM
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Al, nobody cares whether or not you have a job. The office of Mayor of Gloversville doesn't come with the powers of a third-world dictator. To expect people to believe some of the things you come up with only shows what a paranoid crackpot you are. Nobody reads your posts (here or elsewhere) for enlightenment. It's only to observe the workings of a seriously disturbed mind. Someone once described your ranting as "harmless". But you're only harmless to the community. The real danger of your thinking is the danger to your own sanity. Why Clear would continue to allow herself to be associated with you is another mystery that raises further questions about what kind of mayor she'd be.
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Forthecommunity
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10-31-09 10:13 AM
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Well, I think we have a good idea about what "life" would be like with King (and his gossiping wife) as mayor. He cannot handle the power trip...believe me, I know first hand. She cannot handle it either. He will cover up anything he needs to and will do anything at any cost to make himself look important. And she will be trailing right along at his shirt strings. Gloversville has no idea what they are getting themselves into with King and his wife. Gloversville has a habit of having "closed door" executive sessions...particularly with employees. If King gets that post, there will not be a thing that is PRIVATE about any employee in Gloversville. HE will know, then SHE will know and THEY will TELL!
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Adirondackal
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10-31-09 8:29 AM
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On Dayton King's website, and in various commentary, he has attacked Ms.Clear stating that she could not possibly have ideas seperate from her husband. He states that he and his wife essentially think alike. Then his wife posts a false accusation in these Letters because a private citizen dared to exercise his political free speech rights. The accusations were soley designed to cause (they thought)me to lose my job in this economy. Think about the kind of man who would do this before you vote on Tuesday. If he would do this to me now, imagine what he might do once he is in office and has the power that comes with that.
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NeverKnow
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10-31-09 12:09 AM
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Cruella, what I have posted is truth and if I could get the information posted without causing harm to myself or family I would. Area Resident, they can take me to court and put me on a stand because I know the truth and the complaint was made. I have no reason to make slandering remarks but the truth should be heard.
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NeverKnow
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10-31-09 12:05 AM
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I find it interesting that I post my concerns and almost each time they get removed from the site. How about freedom of speech??? I guess that the community doesn't need to know about the harassment complaints of individuals wanting to be mayor!!
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TiredOfTax
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10-30-09 7:50 AM
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Hey Judy why do you imply "been--- ahem "retired" for twenty years with credentials that can't be verified." If the leader was given all of everyones information and then chose to endorse Jo-Ann so just what is your implication here? I think that they got it right even when you still win the election because of the 3 right wing candidates.
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armyvet
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10-30-09 7:42 AM
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for the four left standing. cut tax's, have the city @$#%^!& who collect a check for nothing, clean the eyesoar of a city to cut down dpw ot in winter and summer (if they can walk to MCD'S an walmart, they work. no work no check), put something on main street to get the shoppers back, curfew on the kids. another words, just do the right thing. dont f the people over like king telesevices did and our hero timmy. just remember if any of you who win*****and keep reaching for our wallets, be prepared for a reach back. everyone has had enough.
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cruella
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10-30-09 5:15 AM
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As I said,Area Read MY POST! THen go back and READ all YOUR, like I did. You did a number on a few! Like Judy and JO-ann and I might add Mr. Hughes. I can read! I have nothing against who you want for mayor.Leave the others alone. Don`t include me in your remarks. AREARESIDENT
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Adirondackal
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10-30-09 5:04 AM
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I have to laugh at the King supporters trying to justify taking tainted money and/or endorsements from Hughes, VanGendren and Frank DeSantis. They rationalize that others would have done it as well. Here's the facts: NO OTHER CANDIDATE DID. PERIOD. Not Ms. Clear, not Ms.Marcoux and not Mr. Myers. Only one person took campaign monies from a candidate who failed to file a campaign finance disclosure form as required by law. A person who campaigns with a fast and loose attitude towards campaign funds is more than likely to do the same with our tax funds. Especially a candidate who has written a letter to the editor stating that he will maintain city agencies "at any cost". We cannot afford Dayton King.
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ConcernedInGville
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10-30-09 12:24 AM
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Ms. Marcoux -- You were not named as running a smear campaign. You have your Jihadists, straws and water carriers to do that. Do you and Cruella have walkie talkies?
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Discobulous
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10-29-09 11:56 PM
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The tension is clearly rising. And to think it will all be over soon.
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AreaResident
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10-29-09 11:20 PM
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Cruella, it isn't slander if it's true. Spreading untrue rumors about someone with the intent to damage their reputation is illegal. It's so bad for society that witness in court swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but, and why "bearing false witness" is one of only ten commandments in the book that witnesses use to swear in on. Your willingness to pat NeverKnow on the back for his post is why I included you in mine. His kind of remark is destructive to our right to free speech. The journalists at the Leader-Herald know this as part of their profession and have apparently removed NeverKnow from this thread. With a screen name like yours, I guess I shouldn't expect fairness or civility. But you'll note that I haven't responded to you on this site before. You have a right to say what you want, but so do I. Free speech keeps government honest. Slander and libel laws keep us honest.
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JudyMarcoux
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10-29-09 10:43 PM
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And for the record concernedinGVille - I have run a clean campaign and never maligned or slandered any of the other candidates.
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JudyMarcoux
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10-29-09 10:36 PM
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"At least we know King's credentials. Versus a candidate who has been--- ahem "retired" for twenty years with credentials that can't be verified." ConcernedinGVille - my credentials have been verified. I turned them over to the Leader-Herald, so what you posted is a lie, and you are right. Undocumented smears are the lowest form of politics, so why are you doing it ?
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cruella
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10-29-09 9:44 PM
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Arearesident, Did you hear me slander Mr.King? I think before you say anymore about anything you should re-read the post, and while your at it take a look at the editorials and read yours! It seems to me that you don`t mind reading slandering post about Mrs.Clear or Mrs.Marcoux, or posting, only when it comes to Mr.King. Are you having a problem with my freedom of speach? I don`t see anything wrong with my post. So hack away! Remember if I`m not protected by on-line screen names, neither are you!! Re- read my post, I said IF. I don`t really know that much about Mr.King, But I do hope that Cjpi02 is right! So back off!
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ConcernedInGville
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10-29-09 9:35 PM
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Cjpi02, AreaResident- AMEN . This campaign has been nothing but mud slinging from the left. What in tarnation does that tell you about the character of the Jihadists> It's time people looked at the actual qualifications of the candidates instead of hurling unsubstantiated, underhanded insinuations. It's so Alinsky like. " Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, polarize it. That way they won't be questioning your qualifications."
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Cjpi02
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10-29-09 9:08 PM
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King doesn't like Hughes, he's not like him, etc. If Hughes gave that money to Jo-Ann she would have took it too. Al would have told everyone he finally "saw the light." King's raising a family, uses his money to pay bills. It takes money to run a campaign. King wouldn't harrass a woman, stop the slander and lies. I've seen him at the soccer field and at his son's school. He's one of the good ones.
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AreaResident
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10-29-09 9:03 PM
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NeverKnow and Cruella -- there are laws against slander and you are no longer protected by anonymous online screen names. If you want to play that kind of politics involving some sort of desperate and pathetic October Surprise, there could be consequences. Our tainted and corrupt hillbilly politicsl culture in Fulton County doesn't need hacks bringing more disgrace upon the community. If you have a valid point to make, please make it fully and in the open. But innuendo and half-suggested insults has no place in a small town outside the usual gossip circles. Please knock this off for good.
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ConcernedInGville
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10-29-09 8:57 PM
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Keep mentioning Hughes..... is that all the ammo you have? Hughes IS NOT RUNNING!!!! Hughes was a Democrat...... Let's try to elect a mayor that will not continue on the same page as the 10 largest poor cities in America. Gloversville needs CHANGE -- a clean sweep - a FRESH START.
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cruella
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10-29-09 8:42 PM
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neverknow, no we don`t need another Hughes in cityhall if this is true! And if he`s got any idea of keeping Hughes on somewhere in town, it should be a big, big, BIG worry for our city!
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ConcernedInGville
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10-29-09 8:38 PM
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Any Jihadist can make a veiled accusation. Undocumented smears are the lowest form of politics. Shame on you.
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