Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Happy 2011!

2011 has already had an exciting start as President Barack Obama's visit to Schenectady County highlighted the great progress we have seen under Democratic leadership. With races throughout the county this fall, we face another critical year in continuing the change for the better that is happening in Schenectady County because Democrats at all levels of government in our county are working together.

Already the new unified economic development team has delivered 3,500 new jobs, and $400 million in new private sector investment in our economy. Through hard work and vision, decay and stagnation have given way to growth and renewal. Smarter, smaller more efficient government has saved taxpayers millions.

The city of Schenectady went from $10 million in debt and near junk bond status to a $10 million surplus and investment grade status. Democratic elected officials at all levels in Schenectady County are committed to continuing on the new course of fiscal accountability and unified responsible economic development that creates new jobs, improves the business climate and stabilizes the tax base.

We cannot turn back now. For 37 years the Republican old guard allowed the economy of our county to collapse. Downtown Schenectady was empty. The industrial parks in Glenville and Rotterdam were quiet. The city of Schenectady had fallen into an over $10 million deficit abetted by Enron-type accounting by the Republican mayor. Republicans then were long on rhetoric and excuses and short on real solutions -- and that hasn't changed.

A revitalized economic and cultural center in Schenectady, reinvigorated industrial parks, thousands of new jobs and millions of new private sector investment stand as accomplishments of a Democratic team dedicated to working together with anyone of good will to achieve results for the people of Schenectady County.

Today there is a Democratic Majority on the County Legislature and dedicated Democrats are serving as Town Supervisor in Niskayuna and Mayors in the City of Schenectady and the Village of Scotia.

While accomplishments are plentiful, there is far more work to do. We must keep working together to bolster the local economy, create jobs for working families and control taxes and your help this year will be important to continuing this progress.

More news and notes to come.