Simchik looking to better business

ONEIDA, N.Y. » Tom Simchik has spent six years as Ward 6 councilor creating stronger relations between Oneida and its businesses.

“The poor relationship between cities and business was one of the reasons I ran,” Simchik, who is running on the Republican ticket, said. “I wanted it so the city treated business better.”

To have a better relationship with businesses in the city, an open dialogue is needed where they can explain their needs. “What are their needs? What hurdles do we put in front of them? What can we do to help them over or eliminate those hurdles?”

One of Simchik’s recent victories is the new sign ordinance and regulations.

“Mainly, that was bringing it into the 21st century. There’s a lot of ways businesses can advertise now,” he said. Previously, LED and LCD signs could have a

message, but that message could not change unless they were clocks and thermometers.

“We put specific language in there for the digital signage,” Simchik said.

Besides businesses, Simchik has been listening to residents of Oneida and the requests they’ve been making, one of which is in regards to animals.

“Chickens, specifically. Once the budget is out of the way, we’ll be lookingat that,” Simchik said. “Residents want to be able to have chickens in their yards, but right now they’re not permitted in the Inside District.”

Finally, city renovations have been a much talked about issue and the city is getting ready to buy the lights downtown.

“Currently, we pay the electricity bill, which is the usage plus the delivery. Plus we pay around $85,000 a year, which is for rent and maintenance. So by the time we get everything converted, we won’t be paying that $85,000,” Simchik said.

Simchiksaidhe’sbeengetting out and talking to people. “It’s important,” he said. “There’s good people out there with great ideas. They need to be heard. People need to get more involved, whether they just pick up the phone or come to a council meeting.”