Supporters at Steve Noble’s March 7 campaign kickoff. (Photo: Phyllis McCabe)
His critique extended to the mayor’s handling of a proposal by Niagara Bottling to build a facility in the Town of Ulster that would have used up to 1.75 million gallons from Kingston’s municipal supply each day. The proposal was withdrawn last month in the face of fierce opposition, but Noble said Gallo’s handling of the issue provided a contrast with his own commitment to open and accessible government.
Gallo sits on the city’s Board of Water Commissioners. The board was approached by Niagara in April 2014 and asked to provide a statement indicating that the system could supply the necessary water for the plant. It was not until six months later, when the company formally initiated an environmental review process, that most city residents learned of the proposed water sale.
“The approach that was taken is clearly the opposite of what I would have done,” said Noble of the Niagara controversy. “The first thing the mayor should do is let people know that this business is coming into the community and ask how they feel about it. Those questions should all have been raised publicly when the city first became aware of the proposal.”
More than one line
Noble, who is still assembling his campaign team, said in addition to the Democratic line, he would seek the endorsement of the Working Families Party, which in 2011 was won by Gallo, and possibly the Independence Party. He also conceded that there would be “challenges” running against his current boss but added that he had no intention of stepping down from his post.
Gallo, who ran for mayor while employed as a part-time city attorney, said Wednesday that Noble would have to abide by the same strictures he did during that race and avoid direct criticism of the incumbent. Gallo also issued a prepared statement based on Noble’s contention that the city was “on the upswing.”
“The city is undeniably on the upswing due to the promise [Mayor Gallo] made four years ago to make this great city a ‘model city’ which includes the partnership of all stakeholders,” read the incumbent’s statement.
First of all Tom Hoffay’s successor is Brian Seche and I think Joe Donaldson is actually Dave.
We have the best Mayor right now and he has done much to make this a better city. Just look at Broadway and you won’t find any women of the streets or John’s. We still have a long way to go getting drugs off the streets but that is common in all cities.
We are trying to make the environment better by building gardens and fixing up houses.
It’s a big start and it will go further with our MAYOR SHAYNE GALLO
Hi Jan – Jesse meant in the story to point out that Matt Dunn was Tom Hoffay’s successor as majority leader, not Ward 2 alderman. Joe Donaldson is the right Donaldson – the chair of the city’s Democratic Committee. Thanks for the comment. – Dan Barton, editor
sorry
Mayor Shayne Gallo is a highly effective Mayor who has made great strides in bringing together disparate elements in what was a divided city before he became Mayor. Just look at what is happening on Broadway with his BEAT initiative, and the face of midtown on the cusp of an exciting face lift which will help connect Uptown and the Rondout with an arts and technology corridor hitherto unimaginable. I’ve had the fortune of serving on Mayor Gallo’s arts advisory council, which he created to bring all the city’s artists, cultural organizations and arts businesses together under one umbrella and seen the progress as all interests come together to envision a city where arts, culture and business thrive. It would be a great shame to stop the momentum now it is building in such a positive way…
I thought that Broadway, the Rondout, and Kingston in general, far better served residents prior to gentrification.
Is that the same Kerry Henderson on face book with his arm around Gallo????
He can’t speak against the adminsitration because he’s part of it. YES, this will be a campaign worthy of attention…..HAH HAH HAH