North Country This Week

POTSDAM — The village mayoral race on the ballot this fall will feature a write-in candidate.

Joseph Bowen is running as an independent and hopes to bring new ideas on how to make Potsdam more “self-determinate” and healthy for business and residents.
 Bowen, formerly of Akwesasne, has resided at Meadow East Apartments since February.

Bowen brings an education in business and experience in tribal government to the table and hopes to improve the village’s business climate if elected as mayor.

North Country This Week recently asked both candidates a few questions on the minds of some voters, and inquired about the candidates’ stance on several issues facing the electorate.

Bowen said he is running for the position to work to make Potsdam “1 percent better every day.” And, while he said there isn’t a specific experience he has had with government (good or bad) which inspired him to get involved in local politics, he feels he can bring fresh ideas to the table.

“I am running for office to implement a positive change within the community.  I love the North Country and want to see our little area thrive to the potential that I have grown to love.  I do not have a good or bad political story as we all face challenges differently but I also believe that everyone comes to a dinner table with a different offering, and that is my hope, a different offering,” Bowen said.

Bowen said one of the biggest issues currently facing the village is what appears to be a lack of planning for the future.

“Some would say they have a five -ear or even a ten-year plan.  I do not,” Bowen said. “I have a ‘right now’ plan. Right now it seems we are dying with keeping small businesses in town, right now our economic welfare is leaving the area, right now colleges are even suffering.  We need to implement change by enabling our businesses to grow.  Let's talk about the water bills and the taxation.  Let's talk about having our business owners educated at a different level.  Let's all come to the table together.  We can all improve ourselves at least 1 percent better everyday in something.”

Bowen, 41, a Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal member, is no stranger to politics. He has previously run for office for sub chief and chief in that community, as well as traffic court judge. He has been the tribal election board chairman for the past two years, and worked for 4-and-a-half years in the tribal CFO’s office.

The write-in candidate comes to the table with a focus on business and experience working with administration and grant writing at the tribal government level. Bowen believes a fresh set of ideas is needed at the village government level and has stated that the municipality is run by a group of people who “just keep changing chairs.” He said the current administration doesn’t have a vision for change and are stuck in a “vicious cycle” and that they don’t support the citizens or local businesses.

He believes he could bring new ideas to the table, and focus on taxing local businesses fairly. If elected, he would also set up a citizen-business council to develop strategies and solutions for the challenges facing all stakeholders within the community, his official campaign announcement said.

“Consider the results of the Village’s myopic policies towards our small local businesses. They leave the Village for new space in the Town, or they just close-up altogether. One need only look at Market Street to see the devastating effect of Village tax and water policies on the sources of revenue that feed this Village. Today, Market Street between Elm and the bypass is a shell of what it was just 20 years ago,” Bowen said.

The candidate believes his education and work experience reflects his suitability for the position to potential supporters.

“I am not saying that anyone is wrong for the job or I am the best for the job, what I am saying is we have had the same administration that clearly has us in a windmill effect,” Bowen said. “Same ideas, same motion and same table.  I come to you with a bachelor's in accounting, finance, and human resources and a master's in system administration in education.  I have worked as a special projects analyst and business administration for tribal government, have the knowledge of grants and contracts, and have worked as a lead supervisor for Intuit and my own business.  I do not believe in telling people what to do but to lead by example.”

“That is what I bring to the table – knowledge, the ability to never give up, a strong work and family background from blue collar family members,” said the candidate.

The write-in candidate is campaigning through local newspaper advertising, and is trying to get out and meet voters in traditional grassroots ways.

“Right now I am doing flyers, billboards, newspapers and door-to-door. If I want to affect change I have to hear from the people, good or bad,” Bowen said.

“I want to bring long-lasting and serious fundamental change to the way the Village corporation works interactively with the people and businesses, including the big 3 of our community,” he said.

“In short, my administration will support local businesses, not suck them to death with bills of all types to feed the Village’s insatiable appetite for funds. And when someone makes a protest about something, we will listen and talk and discuss, not ignore and tell our lawyer to deal with it,” the write-in candidate said.

To the voters, to inspire them to turn out for the vote and support his campaign, the candidate said “Let's get Potsdam goin' write in Bowen!”