Kris Kastberg
Age: 53
Occupation: Teacher
Residence: Scotia
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Biography/Introduction:
31 year teacher at Scotia High School; Married to Crystal Kastberg, daughter Kiersten, 14; Scotia Mayor, 2006 Present; Secretary, Scotia Relief, 2005 Present; Village Trustee, 2002 ` 2006; Zoning Board of Appeals, 2000 ` 2002.
Why do you want to be the Mayor of Scotia?
I originally became Mayor to help out in the community that I am dedicated to. I want to continue as Mayor in order to improve the unique qualities we have and to put us in a financial position to continue and prosper as a Village.
How do you plan to stimulate economic development in Scotia?
Opportunities for economic development exist in our unused properties like the McDonalds site, the Kem Cleaners site, the old antique store on Mohawk Ave., and the Attanasios site. We need to use our planning board and County resources to rehabilitate these sites and open them up for development.
Are there any ways the village could work with the Town of Glenville to achieve new cost savings?
Scotia collaborates with Glenville on police and fire dispatching, dog control, equipment sharing and property assessment. Over the past four years we have looked at consolidation of police, water, and DPW. Each of these was found to cost a Village resident more to consolidate. We need to continue this search.
Additional Comments:
My goal as Mayor will be to continue the services that define village life in a manner that we can afford. Scotia residents expect their police, fire, and DPW to be there when they need them. We expect to have our garbage picked up and appliances taken away. We look forward to the concerts, parades, and beautiful parks that define Village life. We all want these things but we need to be able to afford them. Over the past four years as Mayor my goal has been to control costs and to improve the Village. Our biggest projects have been street paving and shoreline protection. We have adopted teen curfew, graffiti, and disruptive conduct laws. We have saved money by securing grants, collaborating with Glenville, and working closely with the County. The future of our village rests on our ability officials to stabilize taxes while maintaining our way of life.
Randall Lombardo
Age: 53
Occupation: Disabled/Retired
Residence: Scotia
Political Affiliation: Republican
Biography/Introduction:
17 year homeowner/20 year resident; 6 year Air Force Veteran/Law Enforcement. Honorably discharged as a Staff Sgt; Married 20 years to Master Sgt. Corine Lombardo of the Army National Guard (still serving); Daughter, Sabrina, 17, attending Wells College, Aurora, NY; Born and educated in Bridgeport, CT; Most of my work experience is in restaurant management and food service accounting, both at local and national chain/corporate levels.
Why do you want to be the Mayor of Scotia?
I believe that the economy of the state of New York will force large tax increases on the cities, towns and villages. By saving now and controlling costs we can avoid some of the coming burden.
How do you plan to stimulate economic development in Scotia?
We are a geographically small village with little room to grow. By lowering our taxes we can attract small and boutique businesses that will bring or keep customers in the village. We must make Mohawk Avenue more attractive to encourage businesses to move here.
Are there any ways the village could work with the Town of Glenville to achieve new cost savings?
Yes! We can produce savings almost immediately by combining services in the Highway, Parks and Recreation, and Water Departments with Glenville. In the future we can explore the possibility of a single police force with a central stationhouse.
Additional Comments:
First, the savings start with me. I will only accept one dollar per year for my salary. I don’t want tax money for personal gain. I will serve as a civic duty, one that I am proud to accept. Next, there is an avalanche of debt being created in Washington and Albany that may soon crash down on local residents. Whether you’re a home owner or a renter in Scotia, the ultimate burden will fall on us all in taxes and rents. We need to control costs and spend tax dollars more efficiently at the local level to be able to adjust for higher demands for money from those entities. We have to start now to control our village spending by combining services with Glenville and by entering buying co-ops with local communities to lower costs. As Mayor, I will save every dime that I can to benefit our village.“
