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Pena cites leadership experience in write-in bid for Potsdam village trustee seat

Posted 10/16/21

BY ADAM ATKINSON North Country This Week POTSDAM — Newcomer William Pena is running for Potsdam village trustee as a write-in candidate in the November election. Pena points to his past leadership …

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Pena cites leadership experience in write-in bid for Potsdam village trustee seat

Posted

BY ADAM ATKINSON
North Country This Week

POTSDAM — Newcomer William Pena is running for Potsdam village trustee as a write-in candidate in the November election.

Pena points to his past leadership and career experience with providing him the background necessary to serve as a trustee.

“I have many years of experience working with a diverse cross-section of people. As a physical therapist I have provided care to patients for over 25 years. I have helped rehab their injuries while also being someone who listens with an empathetic ear,” he said.

“As an administrator and director both locally and formerly at a large NYC hospital, I have the management skills to prioritize issues, encourage interdepartmental communication, oversee a budget and analyze cost savings.”

Pena is also serving his second term as treasurer of the Trout Lake Association which has allowed him to work with the Department of Transportation, various fire departments and town municipalities in St. Lawrence County.

“Although I am new to government, I believe my broad leadership experience can bring a new perspective and insight if I am elected to the village board,” he said.

Increasing taxes in the village led him to decide to run for the position he said.

“The water and septic bills also recently significantly increased,” Pena said. “Learning that 73% of the assessed property in the Village is tax exempt opened my eyes and caused me to be extremely concerned.”

“My focus is on addressing fiscal issues which affect people’s ability to live in the village. The village is a beautiful place in which to live but it’s becoming too expensive and the landscape of our quiet residential neighborhoods is at risk of being lost. I am committed to preserving the Village’s charm and beauty for future generations to enjoy,” said Pena.

The candidate said he also wants to work with current municipal officials to revive the downtown business sector and enhance the tax base.

“Increasing our tax base is the ONLY long-term, sustainable way to ward off further and worse, continuous tax increases in the future. I simply cannot imagine any priority of greater relevance to the people of this village than for our Trustees to focus obsessively on the long-term growth and economic attractiveness of the village relative to all other municipalities around us,” he said.

Pena said he intends to focus on three things if elected, government transparency and accountability, increasing the tax base and lowering taxes and municipal charges for residents.

“Regarding transparency, my goal is to inform all the taxpayers in the village what issues are being discussed and voted on. And to have adequate time for the public to make their concerns heard so that trustees can make an informed decision and act in the best interest of ALL of us. Trustees should be there to serve and inform all of us,” Pena said. “For example, I would like to know how many court cases are in process against the village at this moment? How much is the village spending on legal fees to fight lawsuits? We the taxpayers of the village have a right to know. How much have we spent on fighting Hank Robar for far too many years? The fact that this information is not made known to the public including the amount of the Robar’s settlement is extremely concerning.”

Pena said that focusing on business development and growth is key to the village’s sustainability.

“Using the funds awarded in the DRI to encourage new business is vital. Making it known to potential new small business owners they have opportunities for grant and loan funding for rental assistance and quick-start dollars is critical,” he said.

He said he would also work on bringing in a national chain restaurant such as a Chili’s or Applebee’s if elected.

“Another area deserving special attention is how we can develop more housing to keep people who work in the village to also live in the village. We have an opportunity to meet the demand of people looking for housing while simultaneously increasing our tax base. Our goal should be, and my goal is, to make the village the prime destination for new business as well as the best place in upstate NY to live, work and play,” he said.

Pena was critical of incumbent Steve Warr and the current board when asked what separates him from his opponents.

“Steve Warr has been a Trustee for a very long time. And he’s been around while so many businesses have moved from the Village to the Town, taking their jobs and TAXES with them. Our current Board has no focus, no ingenuity on Growing our tax base, and we can’t keep asking ever more taxes from the ever-dwindling number of people and businesses left inside the Village itself. It is time for fresh new eyes and a new vision at City Hall,” Pena said.

“I feel I will bring a fresh voice to the village board. I am open and honest with a good business sense. I am not quick to judge or make decisions. I like to keep a global perspective and look at all aspects of an issue before making decisions. I won’t just work to enhance one aspect of the village but to do what is best for the village as a whole. I think a new point of view on the board is needed,” he said.

“Just this month I was able to bring a new restaurant to the downtown area. It is set to open in February. This was accomplished by working with a small business owner looking to open up his restaurant. He choose to bring his business to the village as well as relocate his family to the village. I am very happy I was able to facilitate his investment in the village. I was able to do this for him and I too will work very hard to bring new tenants to fill the other vacant storefronts in downtown Potsdam,” said Pena.

When asked about challenges facing the new board, Pena circled back to tax rates, which he says have increased inside the village relative to the town. The candidate said the higher taxes create real challenges in trying to entice business development.

“I promise to work to grow our village so our tax rates can go down, and to ensure everyone knows what is happening in your local government. I am a healthcare provider, an entrepreneur businessman and I will work hard to make the village financially stable. There are residents with generations of experience and valuable opinions that need to be heard. I promise to work hard and communicate with all parties,” the candidate said.