Oneonta Town Supervisor Candidates: In Their Words

With the November 4 election fast upon us, and early voting underway as of Saturday, October 25, AllOtsego continues its pre-election coverage with questions and answers to Brett Holleran (REP) and William Rivera Jr. (DEM), who are running against each other for Town of Oneonta supervisor. Below, in alphabetical order, are their answers to the eight questions posed.

If elected, what will be your top priorities?

HOLLERAN: In the last year, through the efforts of my predecessor Randy Mowers and myself, the Town of Oneonta has been awarded over $6 million in both state and federal grant funding. Winning the grant awards is only the first step in the process. Now that the awards have been funded, my top priority will be to make sure the funded projects are not just started but completed without delays or cost overruns. Some of these projects include the Greater Plains Pool and park renovation, the Woodland Water District infrastructure replacement project, the Hemlock Road water main extension project, the Blanchard Avenue, Winney Hill and East Street culvert replacement projects, and the Smart Water meter replacement project. The focus and goal of these projects is to improve our infrastructure for both the residents of today and provide a robust infrastructure for future development.

RIVERA: If I receive the privilege of representing the Town of Oneonta as its next supervisor, my priorities are as follows: 1) Update the town’s Comprehensive Plan and its zoning code to balance the need for smart development with the protection of our community from harmful projects like the so-called AI-powered hydroponics facility. 2) Promote responsible spending on our infrastructure by developing a five-year capital improvement plan and hiring a town engineer. 3) Create a Community Board focused on mutual aid, government transparency and placemaking.

What are the top three challenges currently being faced by the Town of Oneonta, and how will you address these?

HOLLERAN: Our available housing stock, homelessness and energy costs are our community’s greatest challenges. All three are equally as important and interestingly tied together. Oneonta needs low-income, moderate-income, and high-income housing. Each housing category has a symbiotic relationship in a healthy community. We are currently a Pro-Housing Community, which gives the town priority to housing grants and programs. My hope is by participating in this program to attract developers that are looking to invest in our community. The water main expansion to Hemlock Road that I secured grant funding for has already spurred two housing developments. These developments will not only increase our housing inventory but also increase our tax base, which in turn lowers everyone’s tax burden. In terms of our emerging homelessness, it is a problem that both the town and city share. Mental health services and transition housing needs to be a joint priority between the city and town, especially as the weather turns colder. The sustainability of any and all housing is tied to our energy costs. I will continue to fight for lower energy costs by working with our local state representatives to stop the requested rate hikes. Solving the housing problem would be a pointless endeavor if the cost to heat one’s home outweighs and outpaces the cost to own a home. Lower and stable energy costs, especially for our seniors, is a priority.

RIVERA: Over the course of countless hours spent on porches, at town hall events and in people’s living rooms discussing the challenges our residents face, I believe the three top challenges facing the town are: 1) affordability; 2) town leadership that has prioritized wealthy corporations over the people; and, 3) a lack of support for our small businesses. If elected, I will address the affordability crisis by prioritizing the development of housing at all income levels and the creation of jobs that pay a living wage. I will end handouts to developers by updating our bedrock planning documents. Finally, I will support our small businesses by cutting red tape and securing state/federal funding to help them succeed.

If elected, what steps would you take to put the Town of Oneonta on a firmer financial footing?

HOLLERAN: The Town of Oneonta is currently on a solid financial footing due to responsible fiscal planning and smart growth. I will continue to plan the town’s growth and budget within the means of the constituency to ensure the town remains liquid without being a burden on its taxpayers.

RIVERA: The town is fortunate to have highly competent staff, including our town bookkeeper—I will prioritize working closely with them and our town board to develop balanced budgets that keep taxes low. I will concentrate development in areas already served by infrastructure. I will foster a workplace culture focused on retention—thus reducing staff turnover. I will prioritize the implementation of transparent accounting software such as ClearGov to address the frustration residents feel with local budgeting processes. Finally, I will partner with organizations like the New York State Association of Towns to stay up-to-date on best accounting practices.

Local municipalities often rely on funding from the state to meet their needs. What are your priorities in securing funds from the state, and how will you approach that process?

HOLLERAN: In the last year, the Town of Oneonta has secured over $6 million for both state and federal grant funding. I have employed grant writers and engineering firms as well as I have worked with the Otsego County Planning Department to apply and ultimately win these awards. In the upcoming year, we will be applying for Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding with the goal of a West End revitalization project in which we will be creating a more welcoming walkable community.

RIVERA: I strongly believe in the power of relationships when it comes to securing state funding. If elected, I will regularly invite state officials to tour project sites in the town, speak to area businesses and ensure that Albany understands our needs. More importantly, the town can connect its business community to state funding by hosting regular grant-writing workshops and partnering with organizations like the Mohawk Valley Economic Development District to ensure our residents get their fair share of money from Albany.

The national political climate has grown intense, including multiple assassinations and assassination attempts over the last year. What do you believe are local answers for maintaining peaceful political engagement?

HOLLERAN: There is no place in local government for the climate the national political scene has created. The role of local government is to maintain and provide public services in an apolitical manner. Bringing the national scene into local politics is a way to polarize political races and insert narratives that have no place. Local political positions are about public service for the betterment of the community.

RIVERA: Political violence is always wrong, whether it’s an insurrection at the Capitol or assassinations of public figures. We must do better. I strongly believe that the answer to the fractures in American democracy start with meeting people where they are. The current format of community engagement in the town is through a three-minute statement during Privilege of the Floor. This prioritizes a climate of frustration, accusations and disengagement. If elected, I will host regular town hall meetings, I will direct my colleagues on the board to prioritize door-to-door outreach, and I will create a Community Board to ensure that the public’s voice is heard.
President Trump has made mass deportations one of his top priorities, often in partnership with local municipalities through arrests, detention, sharing data about immigrants, and more. Should Otsego County/the Town of Oneonta collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement? If so, how?

HOLLERAN: The rule of law relies on the principle that nobody is above the law. Municipalities are not above the law and are obligated to act in the best interests of public safety for their community. I support public safety and our law enforcement partners.

RIVERA: My first and foremost responsibility as supervisor is to protect the people of Oneonta regardless of their background, political affiliation or personal circumstances. If elected, I will develop clear policies to guide the town’s interactions with ICE. I will also convene a community response taskforce composed of law enforcement, immigrants’ rights groups and community members to ensure our constituents’ interests are represented in any town action.

Housing costs continue to be a challenge for many New Yorkers and Otsego County residents. What policies and programs do you support to keep the cost of housing available and affordable for your constituents?

HOLLERAN: The Town of Oneonta is a certified Pro Housing Community. This designation gives the town priority to housing grants and programs. By participating in this program, the goal is to attract developers that are looking to invest in our community. Our current water main expansion to Hemlock Road has already spurred two housing developments which will not only increase our housing inventory but also increase our tax base, which in turn lowers everyone’s tax burden and affordability factor.

RIVERA: I have spent my childhood growing up in public housing and know first-hand how important stable, affordable housing is for our residents. If elected, I will prioritize updating our comprehensive plan and zoning code to be flexible enough to support housing construction while protecting our residents from harmful rezoning requests. I will prioritize securing funding to redevelop vacant properties, encourage first-time homebuyer programs and develop common-sense short-term rental regulations. I will also work with our local economic development organizations to create good-paying jobs, because housing and jobs are so closely connected.

How will you improve and/or enhance the town’s relationship with the City of Oneonta?

HOLLERAN: The town and city already have numerous inter-municipal agreements and participate in shared services agreements. As supervisor, I will continue to work with the new mayor in finding additional ways that the municipalities can work together to not only save the residents money but also provide a seamless array of services between the two municipalities.

RIVERA: The secret to success in the city-town relationship begins with a foundation of trust. The city, town and county have built trust through a strong relationship between their respective highway departments. Most town residents also receive municipal water and paid fire protection through our partnership with the city. We must ensure that the town is well represented in negotiations so we are paying a fair price. One other way I would strengthen cooperation between the city and the Town of Oneonta is through the revitalization of the West End, through the pursuit of joint economic development initiatives focused on the West End and the D&H Railyards.