Jeremy Martelle feels greater diversity is needed in Bethlehem town government, and that putting a Republican on the Town Board is the best way to provide it.
The Republican Town Board candidate said a growing number of residents are tired of having one party make decisions on behalf of the entire population. He decided to run for an open Town Board position because he feels people who have the talent or ability to give back to their community, should.
“I’ve spent time and time again at Town Board meetings getting frustrated,” he said. “I decided to run so the issues are talked about on the floor and people can have a discussion about them.”
Martelle is running against Democrat Bill Reinhardt, who is backed by Town Supervisor John Clarkson. Reinhardt recently ran aprimary race against former Town Supervisor Jack Cunningham as part of the Reform Democrats movement. Cunningham lost the race by just 33 votes.
Martelle ran for office in both last November’s general election and by expressing interest in being appointed to the seat left vacant by former Councilman Mark Jordan after he won a town justice position. He is a senior aviation planner and project manager for an engineering firm in Albany, as well as veteran of the Air Force. He also serves on the Bethlehem Library Board.
“It’s critical to note, I wouldn’t be an obstruction by just saying no all of the time,” he said. “We need discussion and board members need to work together to achieve a goal for residents to get the services they need, and should demand, based on the services they pay.”
The Republican Town Board candidate is speaking out against Clarkson’s proposed budget, which would levy an 8 percent tax increase. He has also come out against tax incentives for retail businesses. He has touted plans to decrease spending and hopes to promote “efficient community planning” to prevent overdevelopment.
Martelle could not identify specifically what he would like to see changed in the budget presented by Clarkson, but said he would like to see an end to bonding for routine maintenance projects like paving roads. He also feels the town’s Industrial Development Agency should have more oversight to prevent the government from funding private businesses.
“The private sector needs to come in and stand on their own to reap the benefits of a sound fiscal policy,” he said. “Bethlehem is a great community and a place where I would say the standard of living is slightly higher than others in the Capital Region. We don’t need to sell everything off to get these businesses in here. It is my belief that ShopRite would have come in no matter what, in order to compete.”
Reinhardt has said his main goal is to promote a green jobs initiative, while Martelle feels more needs to be done to seek out technology-based companies. He is also glad the Town is Board is creating a long-term plan to address Bethlehem’s fiscal situation on a multi-year basis.
“Capital planning is part of my job, and lack of doing so is why we are in this situation to begin with,” Martelle said. “Everyone stuck their heads in the sand and now faced with huge tax increases. And it’s not just town taxes we’re facing, but school and county as well.”
Martelle said if changes aren’t made, the town could be faced with a mass exodus of residents.
“I truly want to see Bethlehem get into a better situation from a financial standpoint,” he said. “We can’t continue to live beyond our means. All parties need to work together for Bethlehem to be a model community.”
As of the beginning of October, Martelle had more than $3,000 in his campaign’s coffers and had reported minimal expenses. All donations to his campaign have been in amounts less than $200.
Reinhardt has so far raised $550, and since the primary has reported no official campaign expenditures. The Reform Democrat movement was previously helping to fund his election bid. Reinhardt is now hoping the Democratic Party proper can help him raise more funds, and said he would continue his grassroots approach.
The general election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 6.