With the tulips in Washington Park as a backdrop, Albany County Legislature Chairman Dan McCoy announced Thursday, May 12, he will run for county executive.
Surrounded by a number of county Democrats and his family, McCoy talked about the importance of unity and the thought process he went through to come to the decision to run.
Let me begin by saying today’s announcement is a result of an incredible journey that I have taken through decades of public service, he said.
McCoy said the need for a better and more effective government played into his decision to seek the county executive position. He said the government in Albany County needs to be innovative, and make available opportunities and `unmatched` service.
`When I look at my children, I try to imagine what the Capital Region will look like in the next 20 or 30 years,` he said. `Is our government doing all that it can to ensure their economic future? Is our government providing a quality of service that is effective as possible? Is our government open and rising above petty politics?`
McCoy highlighted the presence of high-tech businesses in the area, and said Albany County should be the center of Tech Valley. This would help to bring in more jobs by attracting global companies, he added.
He also placed some of the focus on area municipalities and said local governments should be aware of what is going on in other towns and work together. He said another priority of his is to control the spending in Albany County, pointing to the fact the county reduced its budget by $30 million, dropping from $630 million to $600 million.
McCoy also said he would look to work with those local leaders in providing shared services among the county. He said this could bring in millions in savings.
`One way I plan to make government more effective is to pursue shared services agreements,` he said. `We can share services within counties and in departments across local borders. From snowplowing to emergency communications, we can do more.`
He spoke of his decision to join the military out of high school, an experience he said `defined my life and career.` Serving in the military with overseas tours, including one in Baghdad, taught him how to be a leader, he said. He was elected to the County Legislature in 2000 and became chairman in 2010.
`Great leaders understand personal sacrifice, they also understand compassion; great leaders they also understand how to cooperate,` he said.
McCoy said his decision is a family one, and a lot of sacrifices are being made in his bid for this elected position. While there had been weeks of speculation that he would announce his candidacy, he said there was a reason for the delay.
`It was tough,` he said. `That’s why I waited until now to make the announcement. I waited until after the deadline. I’m a career fireman. I have 10 years in the city of Albany, I’m giving up my pension, I’m making the sacrifice I did for my country. I’m giving up a lot of stable things to take a chance at running.`
He said with problems in the county such as a lack of money and double-dipping by politicians, he felt it was the right time to make these sacrifices.
Colonie Supervisor Paula Mahan, who attended the announcement, said she has worked a lot with McCoy since she has been supervisor, and she has confidence he will do a good job as executive.
`He’s always been very supportive,` she said. `We work in a collaborative way. He understands the issues, and we share a lot of common values of what we think is important to do as elected officials.`
McCoy said he is ready to take on the challenge as executive and is ready for the upcoming election season.
`Absolutely, I’m prepared,` he said. `I made the hard decision, but I love primaries, I love fighting. But most importantly, people ask me what I think. It’s what the constituents think that are putting me in office. What’s important to the people of Albany County? So when I go up to Albany County, when you go to the town of Medusa up in Rensselaerville or the City of Cohoes, it’s two different issues. But it’s trying to put those issues together and trying to make it happen for the people we represent.`
Outgoing County Executive Michael Breslin will not be seeking another term.“