To the Editor:

I have lived in Canton most of my life (attended: Canton Central, SUNY Canton, Clarkson University, and SUNY Potsdam) and hope to remain here for the duration. With my business expertise and deep-rooted passion for Canton, I aim to ensure the long-term prosperity of Canton, its citizens, and local business community. I ask Canton residents to vote Nicholas Kocher for Village Trustee, on November 7.

We need a candidate who can assist the village board with the economic development, financial management, and marketing component of village operations. I hold degrees in/have professional experience in the areas of finance, IT, and marketing.

Beyond essential village services, the focus of the Village Board should be addressing our high property taxes through economic development and fiscal restraint. I applaud the Village Board for stabilizing property taxes, but more effort is needed.

Given the potential for federal tax reform which may eliminate tax deductions for state and property taxes, the Village of Canton should focus on fiscal efficiency. Canton’s waterfront development plans are a key example of this. I am in support of remediating contaminated waterfront properties. However, I believe these properties should be made available for sale to commercially viable ventures (i.e. entities that will remain on the tax rolls). The village should think twice before pursuing non-taxable uses of waterfront properties, which are currently taxable properties. As a member of the Village Planning Board since 2012, I have supported balanced development in Canton.

We need to better engage our universities. Both universities have talented faculty and students. I have supported various service learning activities where students assisted local businesses.

As a graduate student (2005/2006), I had the privilege of working in the Office of Economic Development. I developed a village/town website (cantonnewyork.us), various marketing materials, and assisted with grant writing activities; at a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. This experience also resulted in personal and professional growth which was critical to my career development. As a member of the Village Board I would champion these mutually beneficial volunteer efforts. It is this type of creativity in using limited resources to achieve big results that we need more of in Canton.

I believe I am the candidate that best exhibits the professionalism, expertise, and innovative thinking required to get the job done.

Please vote Nicholas Kocher for village trustee, on November 7.

Nick Kocher

Canton village trustee candidate