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Former Massena mayor seeking seat on St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators

Posted 10/21/18

MASSENA -- James Hidy, who is running for the 14th District on the Conservative ticket, says he would want to see the county work closer with the local economic development agencies and the power …

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Former Massena mayor seeking seat on St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators

Posted

MASSENA -- James Hidy, who is running for the 14th District on the Conservative ticket, says he would want to see the county work closer with the local economic development agencies and the power authority to bring much-needed jobs to the area.

Hidy was Massena’s mayor from 2010 to 2014 and is a General Motors retiree.

Hidy also wants to see Massena to see a better share of the financial largesse generated at the Moses-Saunders Power Project and pay closer attention to who is getting money from the state’s Regional Economic Development program, and how that money is being used.

“To benefit my district I would advocate toward a better agreement with NYPA. The Village of Massena currently receives $22,000 annually from NYPA, while they net $3.5 million per day. I would also work with the county’s Industrial Development Agency to monitor that companies applying for the Regional Economic Development Grant are better prepared to fully implement their plans under the grant,” he said.

He says he wants to see the county invest more in bridges, roads and services for the elderly, but wants to see them “better monitor social services” and do better on waste management.

“The investments I see fitting for our area are toward infrastructure- bridges, roads, etc. as well as for the office of the aging. I also believe we should better monitor social services which makes up 29% of the county budget. In addition, appropriate cuts would be to closely look at the transportation of waste management. We are currently sending waste over 100 miles away to Rodman when we could be sending it to Westville in Franklin [County] just 25 miles away,” Hidy wrote.

He says his experience as Massena mayor qualifies him for the 14th District seat.

“While I appreciate that we have multiple people interested in representing District 14, I believe that I am the most qualified candidate due to my experience as Mayor. My administration worked within a 16 million dollar annual budget, negotiated contracts with three unions: police, fire and DPW,” he said, also taking credit for saving workers’ comp payments and insurance costs while at the village helm. “Representing the people of the Village of Massena is my motivation for running for county legislator. My previous experience as Mayor of the Village of Massena from 2010-2014 provides a strong foundation for the work I will do as county legislator. I understand the function of government at all levels: federal, state, and local. Additional leadership experience includes my work as an employee at both GM and Pitney-Bowes, both Fortune 500 companies, as well as being a partner in an automotive related business. I understand spending budget controls and department consolidations, both important to being a county legislator.

“I would honored to be your representative.”