Counting Down and Taking Stock
**Date:** 09-02-25
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699 words
Counting Down and Taking Stock
Unkept political promises are irritants that transcend affiliations.
I’ve taken my vows seriously, and as I make this final turn into the homestretch of my mayoralty, I feel compelled to share both my successes and failures with you.
While running for this office, I promised to identify a funding mechanism for residents with ideas that would enhance our shared quality of life. Thanks to the creative assistance of our Finance and Community Development Directors, I was able to keep that promise. The Oneonta Community Initiative (OCI) has provided thousands of dollars to fund the aspirations of dozens of residents, and in so doing has improved life in our community.
Happily, those who wish to make a difference will have financial support for years to come. The OCI application is easy to complete and found at .
Another promise made was to heal the divisions in city government. On that, (to be generous), the results have been mixed. We’ve established a healthy working relationship between the Mayor and the City Administrator, with respect for roles and duties and an adherence to protocols that have inarguably changed the dynamic for the better.
However, despite my previous success as a manager and a community organizer, those skills did not translate to a productive council relationship. And dozens of videos, columns, special interest meetings, public information sessions, beers and “coffee with the mayor”, and inclusively structured taskforces haven’t translated to a broadened trust in local government. With all my heart, I wish the next mayor better luck.
Most voters will recall my most ambitious goal – to attract 1,000 new neighbors to our community. This is a promise on which I’ve not given up.
To be clear, the success of that effort requires concurrent progress in several crucial areas including housing availability, perceptions of safety, economic growth, opportunities for engagement and entertainment, and promotion of the assets that make Oneonta a unique and special place.
As has been well documented, my efforts to add affordable housing, mental health support, and a “maker space” to Market Street failed spectacularly. However, the sale of the historic Oneonta Hotel building and the St Mary’s school building, will add to our market-rate housing options. We’ve also had success convincing several student-housing landlords of the value in providing long-term rentals at market appropriate pricing.
Changes in the off campus housing model notwithstanding, the integration of our students into the fabric of the city has been a priority, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made. To attract and retain a younger demographic, we must “think young” and the participation of our student population in the improvement of our city is critical.
Among our most obvious achievements has been an embrace of the visual and performing arts and the transformation of our downtown into a place that both visitors and locals find engaging. There can be little doubt that our downtown is experiencing a renaissance.
There are still too many empty storefronts, but steady progress is being made. In a few weeks, we’ll be adding a glassblowing studio, one more attraction for promotion and increased foot traffic.
To be fair, no one anticipated the demolition of the parking garage – (we *have* added parking and will soon add more) – nor the nationwide post-pandemic increase in addiction and homelessness.
We closed the Town House, which had presented continuing concerns for patrons of our downtown business, and we’ve built a collaborative infrastructure of services providers, government, and our faith leadership to address the very real plight of those in need.
Our challenges are real, but we have much to promote, and we’ve hired professionals to do so.
This is a great place to live, and it seems that every day I meet someone who’s recently moved to Oneonta. Has it been 1,000 people? I don’t know, but I intend to.
Next month we will be offering a book of discounts to those who’ve joined us during these past few years. To receive the incentive package, they’ll just need to tell us who they are and when they moved here by filling in a form at .
Was this a promise I was able to keep? With luck, we’ll soon find out.
