Schenectady mayor touts successes in announcing bid for re-election

Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy announced his re-election campaign Wednesday by boasting about efforts under his administration that his challenger is criticizing him for.

McCarthy, a Democrat, said his run for mayor is “a rerun” of the mayoral race in 2011 against Roger Hull, the former Union College president and Alliance Party founder. McCarthy announced his bid for a second term surrounded by dozens of supporters during an hourlong news conference in the City Hall rotunda.

Hull, 72, announced last week that he is again looking to unseat McCarthy, 58. Hull said McCarthy, and his fellow Democrats on the City Council, have failed to keep their promise to city residents to revitalize neighborhoods. Hull also slammed McCarthy for declining property values and high property taxes.

“He criticized me four years ago for the wastewater treatment plant and the [Home Ownership Made Easy in Schenectady] program,” McCarthy said after the press conference, rushing to leave for a ribbon-cutting at Ellis Hospital. “It’s a multi-year — probably a decade — effort in the neighborhoods. In 12 years, 250 parcels were converted downtown. There are 16,000 parcels in the neighborhoods. Saratoga Springs is using our method; they’re not using Roger Hull’s method.”

McCarthy said during his 15-minute speech that Saratoga Springs plans next year to use Schenectady’s Strengthening Cities, Communities and Homes Summit model that the city launched last year. The summit brought together local, state and federal officials, along with realtors and nonprofits, to discuss how to best use resources to provide affordable housing.

McCarthy also pointed to his HOMES program as an initiative that works to provide home ownership opportunities in the city.

“All of this progress is helping to re-establish Schenectady as a leader,” McCarthy said. “Our code enforcement efforts are being followed regionally. Our housing initiatives are being used by other communities. Our unified economic development team is producing results that other communities envy.”

While Hull was president of Union from 1990 to 2005, the college constructed or renovated 25 buildings on campus, transformed the former Ramada Inn into College Park Hall and revitalized streets, like Seward Place and Roger Hull Place, immediately west of campus.

Hull also established Schenectady 2000 with Neil Golub, Price Chopper’s executive chairman, and the two are often credited with helping to create the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority and spearheading downtown’s revival.

“No mention was made of the fact that Schenectady 2000 started downtown’s renaissance under a Republican mayor and County Legislature or that Metroplex would not exist without the sponsorship of Republican Sen. Hugh Farley and the signing into law by Republican Gov. George Pataki,” the Schenectady City Republican Committee said in a prepared statement.

Hull was out of town Wednesday and could not be reached for comment.

The Republican committee also knocked McCarthy’s speech for not mentioning that some downtown redevelopment, like the MVP building, the state Department of Transportation building (which now houses the Workers Compensation Board), and others “were all done prior to the 2004 Democratic takeover.”

McCarthy touted Metroplex as the driving force behind Schenectady’s economic development. He said Metroplex works with other groups, like the Schenectady Industrial Development Agency, to produce results.

“The remarkable transformation of our downtown was done over a period of 12 years by a group of individuals who many times work for competing companies but who function as partners in progress for the city as a whole,” McCarthy said.

Schenectady County Legislature Chairman Tony Jasenski said economic development efforts were fragmented before Democratic leadership. The close relationship between the city and county has helped to unify and spur development, he said.

“Now we’re in control under one roof, so it’s like a one-stop shop with Metroplex, the IDA, the city and the county,” Jasenski said. “Some of these projects are complicated, but we’re all on the same page. Metroplex was formed to bring business and jobs and now refocusing to deal with infrastructure issues.”

Some of the area’s top power brokers are already lining up in favor of McCarthy or Hull. Galesi Group Chief Operating Officer David Buicko and Proctors CEO Philip Morris were at City Hall on Wednesday to support McCarthy’s re-election bid. McCarthy also gained the endorsement of Jeff Stark, president of the Greater Capital Region Building and Construction Trades Council.

“I have been and will continue to support Gary and the entire slate of candidates that are proactive in terms of creating economic vibrancy in a city that is making great strides,” Buicko said after the news conference.

The Galesi Group is developing the old Alco site into Mohawk Harbor with a casino, housing and a harbor. Buicko said the casino’s revenue stream to the city and the county — a combined $8.5 million — would help to reduce property taxes.

After a press conference at Ellis Hospital, immediately following McCarthy’s announcement, Golub said he believes McCarthy has done a great job as mayor, but he plans to support Hull in the race. Golub was a major contributor to Hull’s campaign in 2011.

“Roger and I have been very good friends for a long time, and I certainly have to support my friend because we have a long history together,” Golub said. “I do have to compliment Gary because he’s done a great job as mayor, and a lot has been accomplished in Schenectady.”

Categories: News, Schenectady County