Reinhardt has invaluable leadership experience

I am writing to encourage the residents of Oneida Wards 1, 2, & 3 to reelect John Reinhardt to the Madison County Board of Supervisors. First elected in 2007, I knew then that John had the right combination of characteristics to do an excellent job for Madison County and the City of Oneida. He has exceeded all expectations and deserves re-election.

John Reinhardt dedicated many hours to economic development agencies and community organizations to make our city and county a better place to live and work. John has assisted Madison County in attracting and developing new and expanding businesses within Madison County and in the creation of jobs in our area. He served on the County Industrial Development Agency, COMCO Development Corporation, CNY Regional Economic Development Council, and Oneida Area Industries. He also served in leadership roles on the Oneida Healthcare Foundation, Oneida City Hospital Board of Managers, Oneida Rotary Club, and Greater Oneida Chamber of Commerce.

Madison County government operates by a committee system. John’s leadership in his committee responsibilities has been beneficial to the citizens of our city and county.

Drawing on his experience developed throughout his 36 year banking career, Supervisor Reinhardt has delivered strong financial leadership as chairman of the Finance, Ways and Means Committee. During his tenure as chairman of that committee, John has guided and monitored our county’s budget and departmental operations. Madison County’s municipal bond credit rating has been improved to “AA-”. This credit rating will lower the county’s borrowing costs for all bonded projects, including the required renovation of the County Courthouse to ensure this facility becomes ADA compliant. Lower borrowing costs reduce the burden on taxpayers.

As vice chairman of the county’s Government Operations Committee, John performs a major role in the county’s personnel, health insurance and benefits, Civil Service, and other personnel functions. His prudent leadership and common sense approach to government has helped reduce the number of fulltime employees by approximately 9 percent, while still delivering the same or increased level of service. John has overseen reducing the cost for long-term catastrophic health insurance by an average of over $150,000 per year.

John was also a member of the County’s Planning and Economic Development Committee, and a former employee in the County’s Planning Department. This dual experience has given him a unique long term perspective beneficial to county planning and sound economic development policy. That kind of leadership is instrumental to Madison County’s continuing growth and improvement.

Supervisor Reinhardt is dedicated to ensuring good communication between our county and city governments. In addition to attending every County Board and Board Committee meeting over the last 10 years, he has attended nearly all of the Oneida Common Council meetings to report county activities, and to see, hear and better understand the issues that affect our city and our residents.

Please join me on Nov. 7 in re-electing John Reinhardt to continue to serve Wards 1, 2 & 3 of the City of Oneida. Mike DeBottis, Oneida, former Madison County Supervisor, representing Oneida

Wards 1, 2, & 3 from 1998-2007