Proctors hosts mayoral debate Cuevas questions strives made under Stratton's regime in Schenectady
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer First published: Thursday, October 25, 2007
SCHENECTADY -- Crime and taxes were the marquee issues at Proctors on Wednesday when the mayoral candidates took center stage to lay out their vision for the city. Speaking to a crowd of 200 people from the main stage, incumbent Brian U. Stratton and Republican hopeful Mike Cuevas sounded familiar themes that have become staples of their campaigns.
The men first took questions from three reporters. Then the moderator, Daily Gazette columnist Carl Strock, posed questions from the audience to the candidates. The debate was sponsored by the Gazette.
Stratton, a Democrat, and Cuevas locked horns on many issues, including the city's garbage fee, the police department and the quality of life in Schenectady's neighborhoods.
While Stratton argued that property and violent crimes in Schenectady have dipped under his watch, Cuevas challenged that assertion, noting that the mayor's numbers are just preliminary statistics.
Cuevas said the police department might not have a staffing problem if the mayor had sought a $500,000 cops grant in 2004.
Stratton defended that decision, saying he was precluded from applying for the funds because the city was in financial ruins at the time.
But Stratton contended the city has made strides, breathing life back into the once crumbling downtown corridor. If elected, he said, he would invest $500 million in the neighborhoods citywide.
"We are now in financial shape we can accept cop grants," the mayor added.
Cuevas said his humble roots and having lived in public housing as a boy allows him to understand the plight of the needy in the Electric City.
"I know what people in certain parts of this city are experiencing," the attorney said. He also decried the fact that Schenectady's work force doesn't reflect the citizenry, something the mayor says he is actively trying to address.
A question about the reluctance of people to cooperate with police prompted Stratton to announce plans to convene a summit to help bridge the gap between police and the community.
Resident questions dealt with code enforcement, minority hiring and the controversial swinger's club on Union Street.
In their closing remarks, both men repeated their positions and continued to make their case that they are the better man to run the city.
Paul Nelson can be reached at 454-5347 or by e-mail at pnelson@timesunion.com.
I’d like to thank the Gazette and Proctors for their part in the Oct. 24 mayoral debate. It is really unfortunate that of a city of over 60,000 people, approximately 150 showed up. I was very impressed by Mike Cuevas and his ideas for making Schenectady better. Throughout the debate, Mayor Brian Stratton continually blamed all the city problems on the previous administration, and patted himself on the back for lowering the taxes two years in a row. As a taxpayer, I am happy that my taxes have not gone up the last two years, but giving me back just over 2 percent is not something that I feel deserves bragging. Additionally I am still paying a garbage fee. As Cuevas stated during the debate, this administration turned too quickly to fees, and I totally agree. I don’t have a degree in math, but even I could have raised taxes to eliminate the debt of the city. This administration, including the City Council, refuses to “think outside the box.” The burden continually falls on the backs of the taxpayers, and if Brian Stratton is re-elected, we will have four more years of some of the highest taxes in the state and a crime rate that has gotten totally out of control. The city is not all wine and roses, as Brian suggests in his ads. Yes, downtown is growing, but the neighborhoods around it are crumbling. Wake up, Schenectady! Get out and vote on Nov. 6 for Mike Cuevas. If you attended the debate, you would know that he has some great ideas for moving Schenectady forward. He understands what the taxpayers have been put through the last four years, and unlike Brian Stratton, he will make Schenectady a safer, happier place to live without raising taxes. LISA CROOTE Schenectady
Stratton should be real proud of having the city of Schdy being listed as the 10th highest taxed county in the whole country. Now after the 4.5% tax increase that was just approved I wonder if Schdy is now the 5th highest taxed county in the USA.
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