Matzke re-elected mayor

ONEIDA, N.Y. » Leo Matzke will serve another two years as mayor of the City of Oneida.

Unofficial results put Matzke at 1,218 votes and Republican challenger Gary Reisman Jr. at 1,154 votes.

“I feel great about the results,” said Matzke, surrounded by supporters at Alexander’s Ragtime on Main Street. “I’m looking forward to jumping back into office.”

He said he couldn’t have won without the help of family, friends and city residents, whowent doorto-door to help get the word out. “A lot of people went to bat for me,” Matzke said.

While one of Matzke’s major goals next term is the creation of a city administrator, he laid out four more “musts” for his administration. First and foremost, he said the city must bring in more

businesses. By cutting expenses and increasing revenue, as well as working with existing businesses and the chamber of commerce, Matzke believes the city can attract new businesses to help it prosper.

He also wants to address safety issues in the city, from police and fire to codes enforcement and taking care of blighted properties.

“It adds value to the city and is a way to attract people to the city,” Matzke said.

Downtown is a major concern for Matzke going forward. “You have to maintain downtown for the benefit of the whole city,” he said.

And lastly, Matzke wants to increase the amount of family events in the city. He said he would like to build relationships with the school and give the Recreation Department more freedom.

“I think they do an incredibly good job,” he said.

Reisman did not return phone calls in time for print.

LEAH MCDONALD - ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Oneida Mayor Leo Matzke hugs daughter Tonia Davis Matzke after learning about his unofficial win for the mayoral race on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017.