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.
