Letter from Andrew D. Stammel

Rivera Is the Clear Choice

There’s a competitive race for Oneonta town supervisor and the contrast between the candidates is stark.

The acting supervisor, Brett Holleran, demonstrated through his participation in a sad, infuriating episode why he is unfit to govern. In 2015, a family living in Lantern Hill Trailer Park won the lottery and used the winnings to buy a nice home in the town’s newest neighborhood. They paid $180,000.00 and had no mortgage.

When they fell behind on maintenance, Holleran and the Town Board voted in 2018 to declare the home unsafe. With a final board vote on government action looming, Holleran quietly paid $30,000.00 for the property that was assessed at $217,900.00. Now Holleran’s property is valued at $302,639.00-$345,000.00.

Did the family understand that the politician who swore to represent them was taking advantage of them, seizing $150,000.00+ in home equity? Unclear. What is clear is this cannot happen again.

To know a politician’s character, watch what they do; not what they say. For me, Holleran’s actions are disqualifying. Voters may feel differently, but either way they have the right to know the truth.

This fall I will proudly cast my vote for Will Rivera, who has spent his career fighting for regular Oneontans. He will serve with decency and ethics, and will bring much needed new energy and ideas to the Town of Oneonta.

I hope you will get to know the candidates over the next two months. If so, I believe the choice will be clear. Please vote for Will Rivera.

Andrew D. Stammel
Oneonta