Issues
Ideas for A Stronger Utica
I am running for City Council because I believe in prosperity, community, and strength.
Our city government has an urgent solvency problem: Our projected revenues do not cover our projected expenses in the long term. After much hard work (with a huge shout out to Mayor Gus Calandrino), Utica's finances are secure in the short- and medium-terms.
But we are officially at a crossroads: do we want to adopt policies that make us prosperous in the long term, or do we continue with policies that will financially devastate our grandchildren?
Utica’s budget policy for years had been to wait for the state to bail the city out. Yes, the state owes us money. However, the state has said outright they never intend to pay us. No one is coming to save us. That means it is up to us to come together as a community to support our police, firefighters, roads, parks, and quality of life as a community, with no tax increases coming from City Council.
To succeed, we need leadership with strength. No more getting pushed around by huge real estate developers, and no more bowing down to the wants of government agencies designing our neighborhood streets like highways. We achieve this by ending the small business-killing preferential taxes for corporations, and start designing streets to fit the needs of actual Utica residents. Going forward our first priorities are the needs of neighborhoods, our citizens, and property owners.
I am leading the charge for a strong, prosperous, united Utica. I need your help, so click here to join the fight. On November 8, vote for fresh blood, new ideas, and A Stronger Utica.
Voting record
Water rates
PROPOSAL: Double the water rates
BRAD'S VOTE: No
REASONING:
Firstly, it was way too much of an increase all at once, which is especially harmful to those on a fixed income.
Secondly, I proposed better alternatives such as an Impermeable Surfaces Fee, which would shift much of the burden from families to massive corporations (and their massive parking lots).
POLICE
PROPOSAL: Increase the number of officers and increase funding
BRAD'S VOTE: Yes
REASONING:
All Utica departments, including police, took a heavy hit after The Great Recession.
The national crime wave hasn't come to Utica nearly as badly as other places, but that is no excuse to take our foot off the gas.
Much credit to Utica Police Chief Sean Coady, who put together an incredible proposal I was happy to vote for.
SENIORS
PROPOSAL: Sell senior housing for less than it cost to build
BRAD'S VOTE: No
REASONING:
With an annual surplus of over $100,000, our reduced-price senior housing was making life just a little easier for those on fixed incomes.
After being sold, prices have gone up not just for seniors, but for all Utica housing from lack of lower-cost competition.
Shout out to the 50+ citizens who came to council and made their voice heard.