GLOVERSVILLE - Ten local business leaders, apparent Mayor-elect Dayton King and Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry President Wally Hart will meet with Gov. David Paterson on Monday to discuss Paterson's plan to reduce the state deficit and its effect on small business owners.
Hart said Friday he chose a number of chamber members to attend the meeting. Similar discussions have occurred across the state to give Paterson a venue to discuss his budget and deficit reduction plan with some of the people it will most affect: small business owners.
He said the group will ask the governor to cut as much spending as possible and avoid any new fees and taxes.
"Every time [the state] spends more money, taxes and fees increase, and small businesses just can't afford it," Hart said.
Hart said the governor will talk to those present about the state budget and his plans for cutting the deficit. Hart said when he was invited to attend and bring several local officials and business owners, he asked if they would be able to address the governor.
"I don't need to talk," he said. "I hope that everyone will get a chance to speak."
King said he hopes to one day bring Fulton-Montgomery Community College student housing to downtown Gloversville in order to attract businesses to Main Street.
He hopes to talk to the governor about some of his ideas. Even though he is not yet officially mayor, he said, he is looking to hit the ground running in the likely event he takes office Jan. 1.
"Somebody asked me, 'What's the first thing you're going to do?'" King said. "And my response was: 'Listen.'"
Johnstown business Ruby & Quiri is sending two representatives to meet with the governor.
Sales Manager Amy Karas said she hopes to discuss the state's budget crisis with Paterson. She said Vermont recently held a "no sales-tax weekend," during which sales tax was not added to purchases at retail stores, and she said she could look to float a similar idea during the meeting.
With King's apparent election, she said, Fulton County could soon have "an exciting new start."
"We have a lot of issues going on in Fulton County, and I think this is a perfect opportunity to talk to him in a small group," Karas said. "I think we're very fortunate to have that opportunity."
Hart said the group will meet in the governor's executive chambers for the discussion.
Leader-Herald reporter Zach Subar contributed to this report.