The Republican candidate for town supervisor, Christine Benedict, officially announced her bid and outlined her policies for the fall election.
Benedict, a lifetime resident of the town, announced her candidacy in front of GOP supporters and family members on Sunday, June 14, at Town Hall. After being introduced by Congressman Chris Gibson, R-Kinderhook, Benedict said she would concentrate on traffic issues, redevelopment zones, the town’s fund balance and limiting campaign contributions to elected officials.
“Christine is somebody who has fought very hard for responsible economic development at the same time that we clean up our communities,” said Gibson. “She’s professionally prepared for this moment.”
Earlier this month, the 22-year Albany County legislator unofficially announced her decision to run against current Town Supervisor Paula Mahan, who has been serving as supervisor for eight years. Mahan announced her re-election bid in early May.
Benedict, who served on the Town Board from 1985 to 1992, said that she would address the “areas of blight” throughout the town, from rundown pocket parks to issues of heavy traffic in residential neighborhoods.
Roads like Watervliet Shaker and Albany Shaker are becoming similar to Routes 7 and 5 as traffic diverts through residential neighborhoods, said Benedict. “Why is this happening? It’s happening because our town is approving developments without performing the proper traffic analysis.”
Benedict felt proper traffic analysis for redevelopments like those going up on Albany Shaker and Maxwell are not being done. She also said that such developments are not compatible with surrounding neighborhoods.
“Too often neighborhoods are overlooked when new businesses establish themselves in Colonie,” said Benedict.
As well as looking at redevelopment with new businesses, she said she would work with town board members to assist with and establish limitations on contributions for elected officials from businesses and contractors working in the town.
Benedict addressed other issues, including the town’s fund balance and areas of deterioration within the town. The fund balance has been an issue of concern that stems before Mahan’s administration took over in 2008, when the town faced a nearly $20 million deficit and no fund balance. Mahan has since been working to raise the balance in her goal to bring it to $4 million.
While Colonie qualifies for grants, the town has not applied for assistance, according to Benedict. She said assistance could help would road conditions and repairs for recent water main breaks. As well, she said that pocket parks in poor conditions could be repairs.
The parks were “once the envy of the Capital District,” said Benedict. “Many of the older pocket parks are in disrepair.” She said she would look into public and private partnerships to assist with maintaining the parks.
Benedict also said she would work with the Colonie Police Department to ensure that the department has all personnel needed. Since her time on the town board, she said the amount of patrolmen on the roads has decreased.
In addition to discussing her platforms, Benedict announced that, if elected, she would put a hold on her state pension as to not get paid twice.
