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Hutchinson ready to serve one or four years as mayor

Posted 10/28/11

To the Editor: Hi, I am Sharon Hutchinson and your candidate for Mayor of Potsdam. This message comes to you from my heart. I am not a politician or affiliated with any college here in the village or …

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Hutchinson ready to serve one or four years as mayor

Posted

To the Editor:

Hi, I am Sharon Hutchinson and your candidate for Mayor of Potsdam.

This message comes to you from my heart. I am not a politician or affiliated with any college here in the village or town except for graduating from SUNY Potsdam in December 2010 at 64 years old with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. I am currently a housewife.

I know the issue of dissolution is the most important vote on this ballot to all of you.

I believe in my heart that it is the decision of you as village residents and the right decision will be made by all of you.

But, I want you to decide for yourselves whether you believe I will make a good mayor and work on your behalf; not because I am for or against dissolution.

The reason I am running for office is because I was encouraged by people who believe in me.

I have sat at home being concerned about our village and I thought it better to try and do something about it instead of complaining.

With all that said I am prepared to work for you for one year or four, depending on the dissolution vote.

I am not going to say what I will do, because I won’t know that unless I am elected. But, what I do know is that we have high taxes here, and at this time there is no growth in our community.

Our tax money has been strained because of the hydro dam and other issues. If elected, the first thing I would ask for is an audit of the books to see where we stand financially. Because of the minimal amount of residents paying taxes and the amount of tax-exempt property in the village, we have many financial problems.

In fact, I know it takes four (4) Social Security checks to pay these taxes because both my husband and I are retired, on fixed incomes, and receiving Social Security.

The inability of our village and town governments to get along only compromises issues that need to be handled in a timely, efficient, and calm manner.

It makes me very nervous to read the paper and learn that one more chance to grow in our community has been turned down because governments are again fighting among themselves.

If government bodies can’t get along, how can we move forward?

If I am elected I will work with people, be a visible mayor, and listen to your concerns as residents. The only way I can find out your thoughts is through communicating as best I can.

I will listen, work for you and make wise and good decisions on your behalf. I too am a resident; love living here; and would like to bring a fresh new perspective and brighter future to our village.

Sharon Hutchinson

Candidate for Mayor