Cathy Gatta
Age: 44
Occupation: Director of Marketing, Mazzone Management Group
Residence: Scotia
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Biography/Introduction:
I am a life-long Scotia resident, and a proud parent of one Middle School and two Lincoln Elementary School children. I have been a member of the Village Park Board as well as the Freedom Park Board for several years, and thoroughly enjoy my service to the Village of Scotia. I have also been very involved in a variety of Scotia-Glenville Central School District committees, as well as the Scotia Downtown Business Improvement District.
Why do you want to sit on the Village Board of Trustees?
I want to work with local business men and women to create a vibrant corridor into our Village and reduce empty storefronts. We are so fortunate for the services currently in place, and I would like to maintain those services while attempting to lessen the tax burden on our community.
How do you plan to stimulate economic development in Scotia?
One of my main focuses will be to work on the empty storefronts on Mohawk Avenue and throughout the Village, as well as expand the faCade program. I truly feel that we can bring in businesses while maintaining the look and feel that we all love about our Village.
Are there any ways the village could work with the Town of Glenville to achieve new cost savings?
I think there are many things we can do to save costs associated with the services we currently have, while still maintaining the quality. The safety of our community and the quality of service is the most important. We should be able to do that in a cost-effective way.
Additional Comments:
As a Scotia resident and with many family members in the Village, I will work hard to ensure that the character and charm of our neighborhoods are maintained. I’m so proud to be able to live and work in the Village of Scotia, and will enjoy working with you to find a solution to your problems and concerns.
E.Thomas Neals
Age: No comment
Occupation: Semiretired Spring Water Business Owner
Residence: Village of Scotia
Political Affiliation: Republican
Biography/Introduction:
Village resident from 1969. Wife Linda, 3 Children. 6 Grandchildren. Decorated Viet Nam War Veteran. Member of St.Joseph’s Church of Scotia. A Trustee for St. Joseph’s Church. Trustee for the Village of Scotia. Chief of Scotia Aux. Police for 27 years. S/G DARE Advisory board Chairman for 9 years. Member of Scotia Rotary. Served on several committees for the Village. I love serving the residents of Scotia. I am very proud of what I and the Board have accomplished in the past four years. I hope the voters feel the same and reelect me.
Why do you want to sit on the Village Board of Trustees?
I want to serve the residents because I care about my community. I want to continue to keep moving forward and to keep the taxes low without cutting back on the quality of our services. And see that the river bank project, the road paving program continues, and keep residents
How do you plan to stimulate economic development in Scotia?
I would continue to work with BID (Business Improvement District) and Metroplex to continue to improve the appearance of our great variety of businesses. Scotia businesses are the backbone of the Village of Scotia. I would continue to encourage people to patronize our businesses.
Are there any ways the village could work with the Town of Glenville to achieve new cost savings?
As the Village liaison to the Town of Glenville I would continue to work on present and future projects. We are currently working on a joint leaf pick up program that will save thousands of dollars for the Village and the Town of Glenville.
Additional Comments:
I am very proud to serve as a Trustee and would be very happy to continue if reelected. Our board works very well together. We do what is best for the residents with no personal agendas. I am the only Republican running for Trustee so the voters have to look hard for me on the ballot. I am indorsed by the Republican, Independence, and Conservative Party’s.
Joe Rizzo
Age: 57
Occupation: Schenectady ARC Transportation Department
Residence: Scotia
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Biography/Introduction:
Deputy Mayor, Village of Scotia, 2009 to present; Trustee, Village of Scotia, 2000 to 2004; Former Chair and current Board Liaison to the Traffic Safety Committee, Village of Scotia; Village Liaison to Schenectady county; Former President and member of the Scotia Fire Department, 1990-2000; Trustee, Scotia Glenville Children’s Museum; Packmaster, Cub Scout Pack 2, Village of Scotia; Former member, Zoning Board of Appeals, Village of Scotia; Scotia Rotary, Citizen of the Year: 2010, for work to save the Village post office.
Why do you want to sit on the Village Board of Trustees?
I want to work with the board to promote sensible commercial development and to fill vacant store fronts while maintaining the unique character of Scotia. I want to enhance the quality of life for all residents and control spending by working with Glenville and Schenectady County on shared services.
How do you plan to stimulate economic development in Scotia?
I plan to look for grant funding, like the grants we have now to improve our riverbanks and our parks, and to obtain our new fire truck.
Are there any ways the village could work with the Town of Glenville to achieve new cost savings?
We have been working with Schenectady County over the last 4 year. We had the County pave our streets with savings to taxpayers. We are working with Glenville and Schenectady County to update our bike path. We share services with both Glenville and Schenectady, like equipment.
Additional Comments:
It has been an honor to serve the residents of the people of Scotia. I hope to continue to work with the Board to strengthen our services and contain cost for our taxpayers. One of my proudest accomplishments was working with you, our businesses and federal representatives, to save our post office from closing. I am also proud to have worked with Schenectady County to restore hours to our Village Library. We also added a paramedic service in our fire department to service our village residents, There are so many exciting improvements that we can make to better our Village. I am committed to working to make these improvements a reality.`
