“The only chance we have is with Republicans and Conservatives united, and Andi can’t do that,” said Cahill. “All of her solutions are government-oriented and the Conservatives I know won’t go for that.”
‘Not one of them’
Turco-Levin is a Kingston native who came back to her hometown after a successful career in radio and the music business. The 55-year-old real estate agent made her first run for office in 2009 when she secured the Ward 1 seat and quickly established herself as a fresh new face for a party that has struggled to fill committee seats, much less win elections in recent years. Party leaders elevated the freshman council-member to Minority Leader over the more senior Polacco and, in June handed her the party’s official endorsement by a wide margin.
“I’m not one of them,” Turco-Levin said. “I’m not part of the problem that has plagued this city for decades.”
To emphasize her “new kid on the block” appeal, Turco-Levin has come out with a series of proposals aimed at tightening up the city’s ethics rules to break what she believes is an entrenched system of cronyism, backroom deals and seat-of-the-pants governance.
“People’s trust in government right now has been shattered by all the stuff they see going on,” said Turco-Levin. “The people I’m speaking to are all feeling hoodwinked.”
When it comes to economic development, Turco-Levin, a former city planning board member, believes Kingston puts too many obstacles in the way of businesses who want to invest here. Pointing to the city’s largely vacant business park as an example of failed economic development policies, Turco Levin has called for the “realignment” of the planning board to a more business-friendly posture and a the creation of a “Special Mayoral Projects” designation to fast-track the approval process for shovel-ready sites. She has also called for bringing down commercial tax rates under the city’s current homestead/non-homestead tax structure, where the burden is shifted more on to commercial properties.
Polacco hits the pavement
While other candidates have been busy broadcasting specific policy proposals to the widest possible audience via blogs and press releases, second-term Alderman Ron Polacco has largely blown off both policy details and the media in favor of intense door-to-door campaigning. Throughout two terms on the council, Polacco has been a reliable “no” vote spending increases and bond issues. But unlike fellow Republican alderman Turco-Levin, he has not thrown himself into the budget negotiations or other across-the-aisle efforts to hammer out proposals.
As a resident and business owner, realigning the homestead/non-homestead tax structure is critical for the city’s economic health. Creating “green economy” jobs is equally important – and achievable – given some creative efforts and collaborative spirit from a new administration. I think Turco-Levin offers the best hope for acheiving these twin priorities, and I say this as a progressive Democrat.l We truly and desperately need new ideas, regardless of party affiliation.