Budget and economic development were the main discussion points at a recent forum between the two Democratic primary candidates for an open Bethlehem Town Board seat.
On Tuesday, Sept. 4, candidates Bill Reinhardt and Jack Cunningham met to answer questions from the audience at a forum sponsored by the Albany County League of Women Voters and Spotlight Newspapers at Delmar Presbyterian Church.
Both men are vying for a seat that will soon be left vacated by Town Board appointee George Lenhardt at the end of the year. Cunningham is endorsed by the town’s Democratic Party, while Reinhardt is challenging him with support from the Reform Democrat group.
Balance budget said to be tall order
Each candidate was asked his views on the town’s current fiscal situation and what could be done to balance the town budget and revive the local economy. By some accounts, the town is facing a nearly $3.5 million budget gap in the coming year.
Cunningham said innovative ideas are needed in order to keep taxes low and maintain the current level of services that Bethlehem residents have become accustomed to. He said residents are worried about taxes but don’t want to see cuts to the police force or an end to leaf pick up. The former Bethlehem supervisor touted work done in his current position as Colonie Public Works commissioner, like reducing hours to decrease overtime and fuel costs, and also said more needs to be done to raise the town’s revenue stream.
Reinhardt said some tough decisions will need to be made this budget season and commended the work being done Supervisor John Clarkson and the town’s Budget Advisory Committee in streamlining operations to save funds.
“How are we going to lower taxes and increase services? Because I keep hearing that that’s doable and I really don’t think it is,” he said, calling the relationship between the two a tradeoff.
Reinhardt said sharing services is a proven way to save money and should be looked at not just within the town’s departments, but between different municipalities. Cunningham agreed that can be done, but added the process has proven difficult to implement.
Neither candidate presented specific budget cuts when asked, but Cunningham said he would not support further cuts to the police department, saying it is “imperative” the department is staffed appropriately to ensure public safety. Reinhardt said attrition could be used if necessary, but he “would need to be convinced.”
“There was some interesting information in reference to the types of calls received (by the department) and the need to send police to all of them,” he said. The town budget committee has recommended police not be dispatched to certain calls, such as vehicle lockouts.
Agreement on need for investment, but what kind?
To reinvigorate economic investment, Cunningham said he would once again focus his attention on the Selkirk Industrial Yard. He also suggested the town create a general environmental impact statement for the area to help attract interest from outside companies. He said he is opposed to giving retail businesses tax abatement deals.
Reinhardt had similar comments, but said he would not second-guess the work of the Industrial Development Agency as Vista is now taking off. He said it is important for the public to understand that the global economy is changing to green initiatives and suggested the focus be put on revitalizing local agriculture so those businesses will not leave.
Neither Cunningham nor Reinhardt said they would support a proposal to build a waste-to-energy gasification plant on land near the Port of Albany. Reinhardt said a similar type of plant that does not use combustion might be right for the area and residents should keep an open mind in the future about recycling, whereas Cunningham said he does not believe claims from the developer because the technology is unproven.
“Also, with my experience of this community, our community doesn’t identify ourselves as a waste destination,” he said.
How to handle governance
When asked their views about implementing a ward system within the town, Cunningham said he would not support the move as it would “further the divides of the town and limit representation.” Reinhardt said he did live in a town where it worked effectively, but thought it should be left up to the community to decide.
“I’ve heard from people along my campaign who said they wanted it, and I think it’s worth further discussion when the time is right,” he said.
Both candidates said they would support whoever wins the coming primary.
“After this primary is over, we need to unify into one party. Then get behind the Town Board and make sure they are doing what we elected them to do,” said Cunningham.
Going into the Thursday, Sept. 13, primary, Reinhardt’s campaign remained in the red by more than $1,500. Cunningham still has about $7,900 on hand. The general election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 6, in which Republican Jeremy Martell is running. Cunningham also has the endorsement of the Independence Party, while Reinhardt is endorsed by the Working Families Party.
To see pictures from the candidate forum Click Here