After eight years at the helm of the Clifton Park town board, Supervisor Phil Barrett is hoping voters will sign off on another two.
The Republican incumbent will face off against Democrat Art VanderVoort this November. Barrett, 39, ran unopposed for the position two years ago.
The last time Barrett was opposed in an election was 2003, in which he won with 65 percent of the vote.
I’ve been very humbled by the incredible support the folks of Clifton Park have given me in each and every re-election campaign that I’ve run, Barrett said. `I think if you look across the board at all of these quality-of-life issues, our administration has done a tremendous job both in the short term, getting things done, but also investing long term.`
Barrett was born in Walter Reed hospital in Washington, D.C. His father was in the army during the Vietnam War as a courier, although he never saw combat. Growing up, Barrett lived in five different states before coming to Clifton Park in 1991, shortly after graduating from Providence College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
He served in the Army Reserves after college, from 1989 to 1996.
Following 10 years in the paper industry, he has worked in banking since 2001. For the past year he has been the vice president of business banking at Key Bank.
`Knowing inside and out how budgets work and monetary policy and how that affects everyday life is very important when you’re trying to look into the future and make the best decisions possible for your municipality,` Barrett said. `When I took office, our surplus was a little under $1 million; now we’ve got up to $15 million [last year].`
He said that he delivered on his 2000 campaign promise to improve the town’s public safety by increasing state police and county sheriff’s department contracts.
`I think anybody who has lived in town now and then, the level of policing and presence, I think they’ll tell you it’s night and day,` Barrett said. `In my mind, by every measurable quality-of-life issue in the last several years there has been tremendous progress made. I think it’s hard to dispute that.`
Barrett is currently the chairman of the county board of supervisors and said he was proud that he presided over an 8 percent county budget decrease.
Clifton Park Republican Committee Chairman Mike Lisuzzo said that the town has taken statewide leadership roles under Barrett’s tenure.
`We’re lucky to have Phil still wanting to serve in the role of town supervisor,` Lisuzzo said. `Phil is capable of running for Senate, Assembly, and other offices because he’s so accomplished and has such a positive track record.`
Democratic Committee Chairman Todd Kerner has questioned the motivation behind recent town initiatives, such as the planned $150 rebate to all residents and the building of a new town park in Rexford.
`It took them 10 years too long to plan another park. We’ve been calling for a town park for 10 years. Meanwhile the Commons is in disrepair and overcrowded,` Kerner said. `The only time they do something is during an election.`
Barrett responded to recent Democrat criticism of development and overcrowding in town.
`Exit 9 was in pretty tough shape when I took office in 2000,` Barrett said. `Is it busy? Yes. Is there a lot going on? Absolutely. But that’s what pays the bills. If we’re able to drive revenues that aren’t property tax and at the same time have a thriving business atmosphere, then everybody wins.`
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