MADOLYN O. PALMER

ONEONTA COMMON COUNCIL, WARD 5

COMMUNITY OF RESIDENCE: Fifth Ward, Oneonta

EDUCATION : Oneonta High School Graduate, Delhi College, and SUCO courses in finance.

PROFESSIONAL  EXPERIENCE:

30 Years Oneonta City School Districts – 5 years Tax Collector, and

25 Years Admin. Finance , Budget preparation, and control.

Over 20 years on the Citizens Board at Hartwick College,

5- plus years member of Oneonta Business Women, Co-Founder of Oneonta Alumni Assoc.

Member and past officer of many local  boards, and non-profit committee’s

COMMUNITY/POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT 5 years on Common Council of the 5th Ward.

FAMILY:  Husband Carver Palmer, 53 years of marriage until we lost him in 2010.  3 Children: Ransom, in Ohio, Sandra in Florida, and my daughter Carla, here in Oneonta.   Through her I am involved in many not for profit events, such as the Sock hops for charity, and First Friday events on Main Street.

I am so proud of my family, my grandchildren, and their gifts back to me and their communities.

IN TWO OR THREE SENTENCES, EXPLAIN YOUR PHILOSOPHY OF GOVERNMENT:

Good Government requires good employees who are proud of the jobs they do.  It requires open honest communication, and always uppermost service to the constituents that are paying the bill.  A TRUE politician, not only reaches for the betterment of themselves, but represents the opinions and compassion of the people they serve. A good government  moves forward not always quickly, but forward. under the guidance of a good manager. That is where I see us now, with our eye on the future and moving forward.

WHAT ARE THE THREE MAJOR ISSUES THE COMMON COUNCIL FACES, AND HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THEM?

• The re-election of new council members. We are losing four seasoned and involved council members, leaving a  loss of experience that will be felt for months, and maybe years to come. Losing Dick Miller, was a hard loss, and these four council members take with them knowledge, that it will take years to replace. In the 5 years I have worked with them they have held my hand and shared their knowledge and agreed with me and disagreed with me, but I was always learning.

• The preparation of the 2016 Budget is next in line for immediate concern.  We need to prepare this while we still have the expertise of those Council members that are leaving.  This task is already underway , with Meg Hungerford’s competent  leadership.  We will be having a second budget meeting in the next two weeks.

• The next issue is the replacement of the City Manager and healing the wounds that still remain. We are for the first time in many months operating and moving forward and in a good place, under our Acting City Manager Meg Hungerford. The future holds educating new council members, and healing wounds, but always moving forward.

WHAT QUALITIES/EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE THAT MAKES YOU THE BETTER CHOICE IN THIS RACE

I am first of all a 53 year resident of the 5th ward, I know these taxpayers.  Second I am not employed, so I have the time to attend meetings, stay informed  and return calls and emails promptly . Last but not least I am a person who enjoys interaction with my constituents, they would tell you, I am quick to return a call or email, and usually have the answer to their questions, maybe not always what they want to hear, but I return all communications. I am like a dog with a bone, I stay in the fight until a final  answer is received. I know many of them thru my tax collectors position and the School District employment, and consider them my friends.

IS THERE A STATEMENT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH VOTERS?

I made a promise to Dick Miller that I would run for another term . I  have thoroughly enjoyed the past 5 years, and feel, I have the time and desire to continue to serve my friends and neighbors in the 5th ward.

I never break a promise , and I never make a promise that I cannot deliver.