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City already fielding 2011 candidates
By Lauren Stanforth Staff Writer
Published: 12:00 a.m., Monday, November 8, 2010

SCHENECTADY -- It's less than a week after the general election has ended, and the races for mayor and City Council next year are already heating up.

Republican and business owner Peter Guidarelli, who lost in a tight race to Mayor Brian U. Stratton in 2003, is seriously considering a rematch in 2011. And former Union College President Roger Hull, along with two city school board members, have decided to start a new party and attempt to run candidates for mayor and four City Council seats next year to break the trend of Democratic control of City Hall.

The reasons behind both possible challenges are similar -- better fiscal planning in a city boasting some of the highest property taxes in the nation, and more focus on rebuilding neighborhoods as opposed to revitalization just in downtown Schenectady.

"The bottom line is taxes have gone up dramatically and you have many more people paying attention to things politically than there were several years ago," said Guidarelli, 43, a former county legislator who lost during Stratton's first mayoral bid by about 300 votes.

The health of the Schenectady County Republican Party was questioned early this year after county legislator Angelo Santabarbara switched to the Democratic party (leaving only two Republicans left on that governing body) and no Republican challengers were fielded against three City Council candidates in 2009. But with conservative sentiments growing strong nationwide, and the 35 percent Schenectady County Legislature Chairwoman Democrat Susan Savage garnered in votes against Republican Sen. Hugh Farley on Tuesday, Republicans are feeling renewed for the upcoming local election cycle, said Guidarelli, a consultant and building owner downtown who has remained active in the party. Guidarelli said he'll make a formal decision about running for mayor by the first of the year...................>>>>.....................>>>>...................http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/City-already-fielding-2011-candidates-802721.php

The Mayor and DEM City Chair both unavailable for comment? That's a first. Last seen heading for the bunker after reviewing SS Savage's election results. Landslides have consequences.

     Tell us again about "working together". A new Mayor and new City Council majority. After 35 long years get your hands off the wheel and leave the City vehicle.

Savage was the breaking point!!
Everyone 'outside' of the county are apparently smarter than those 'in' the county.
They clearly would not give her the nod!

This chain of events have spoken volumes to schenectady county residents.
There is a sweet smell of 'change' in the air in schenectady county.

Exactly! But let's not forget IN-COUNTY results: Farley-60.12%
                                                                        Savage-39.52%

     SS Savage could not even get 40% of the vote in the County where she was alleged "leader". The locals were not fooled. The DEM machine has been totally humiliated. They actually thought they could win this and other State Senate DEMS lost because they diverted money to SS Savage. Good now the REPS will take back the State Senate.

     The curtain has been opened and everyone sees that a complete disaster Schenectady County is. Metrograft handing out property tax exemptions like candy, $50 Million in bonding approved for a County Home they can't site, lob hires in top posts, refusal to end extra DSS programs not State mandated, no private industries nor job creation, highest unemployment since the Great Depression, tax foreclosures exploding Countywide. Had enough-YET?  

their are a lot of axs to grind siting next to the sharpenor waiting for pg to make his descision

Don't know enough about guidarelli. I do know that Savage, Santabarbara and Kosiur have lost miserably and shamefully!

There is a year to see who will actually run and what they offer to bring to the 'people's table'!

One thing is for sure.....the present bunch is pathetic!

More recycled politicians.

Where's the Guyanese candidates?  The Black candidates?   Aren't both groups always complaining they don't get enough representation?

How could anyone be worse? Over the past month we have witnessed a horrible spectacle. Fiscal incompetents, unable to budget, unable to prioritize, whose only answer is screw property/business owners.

     The one party fiasco is thankfully coming to an end. The DEMS float out the curb tax only to cancel it and add more to the tax increase. This will only add to flight and foreclosures causing more layoffs to vital police and fire. Then Metrograft makes it worse by giving out tax giveaways. A vicious circle that can only be ended by new council people and a new Mayor.