The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
NOMINEE ENDORSEMENTS
Oneida City Democratic Committee announces slate of candidates
ONEIDA, N.Y. » The Oneida City Democratic Committee announced their candidate endorsements for this year’s elections for city office. Several seats are up for grabs, from each ward, each of four Madison County supervisors, and the city chamberlain and mayor.
Introducing each candidate, Committee Chairman John Nichols thanked everyone for attending the announcement event, including special guests: Former NYS Assembly Candidate Dan Buttermann, NYSUT Political Action Coordinator Phil Cleary, and members of the Madison County Democrat Committee including Chairwoman Liz Moran.
Meet the Candidates
Wards 1,3,5, 6 Ward 1: Sara Haag
After living in Ward 1 for over a decade, Haag felt it’s now time she joins the arena on Common Council. “I’ve grown up here in this city, and I’ve watched it change over the years, and I’m now ready to step up, and I’m ready to help,” Haag stated. She hopes to contribute a new and fresh voice representing the area in city government.
Ward 3: Jim Coulthart
Seeking his third term, Coulthart said he’d like to expand upon the agenda he’s been tackling during his current time in office. Points of focus include: the city’s pursuit of funding a codes department; advancing citizen-friendly use of the flats; new quality of life projects, such as the rail trail, library, and use of the Kallet Theater; and continuing to support worthy economic development initiatives.
“Those of you who can vote for me, I would appreciate your continued vote of confidence,” Coulthart said. Ward 5: Jake Fleming
Fleming moved into a house with his wife on Washington Avenue two years ago after restoring what used to be an abandoned property. “What I’m aiming to accomplish in my ward, if elected, is to focus on issues surrounding housing. Specifically, neighborhood blight,” Fleming said.
Many homes and properties in Oneida have fallen into disarray for many reasons and need tending to, he said. Finding ways to help lower-income and elderly residents make upgrades to their homes is one of his strategies to create a “nice, fresh, and invit
ing” cityscape and feel. Additionally, Fleming hopes to implement a program to provide renters with affordable and accessible ways to become homeowners so they can plant roots in the community and become long-term investors.
Ward 6: Mike Kaiser
Kaiser, an independent, is running thanks to the support of the Democratic committee, he said. He brings experience having served on the council in 2009, being re-elected, and in the process serving a few different wards. He’s served a term as pubic safety commissioner, “so I know the police and fire department well,” he said.
Kaiser emphasized that experience with budgeting will be of the utmost importance in a common council candidate. The American Rescue Plan will be bringing the city funding and opportunity in the future, which is important to note, he said,
The multimillion-dollar Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) project, ringing to the tune of $54 million, Kaiser said, is “probably the biggest capital project in the history of the city. The council really needs to be involved in that project as it goes forward. Along with the management and the operation of that plant at this time.”
Commenting on police reform, Kaiser stated, “In order to keep the momentum up on that initiative, the council and public need to stay involved.
“I’m interested. I’m experienced. And I’m looking for support from the folks in Ward 6.”
Madison County Supervisors
“We all know that the relationship between the city of Oneida and Madison County is an important one. It’s been strained in the past, and we want to make that relationship stronger,” Nichols stated before announcing the candidates.
Supervisor (1,2,3):
John Nichols
“My platform begins with transparency.,” Nichols stated. With current Supervisor Joe Magliocca as his mentor, Nichols hopes to foster communication and participation at council meetings, he said. “Our participation at the county level and at the city level should complement each other. They should help each other, and that’s what I would like to be involved in.” Supervisor (4, 5, 6):
Lew Carinci
Carinci was unable to attend the meeting.
Supervisor (4,5,6):
Joe Magliocca
Adamant about resolving bias between Oneida and the county, Magliocca stated, “I think that we’ve seen more collaborative, more cooperative examples of working together. Where we’re standing today is a significant one (the Oneida Rail Trail).”
It was a partnership between the city and that county that enabled the funding for the rail trail, he said.
Noting a supervisor’s key role as a county-city liaison, Magliocca stated that there’s been more than one county supervisor present at council meetings, and supervisors can sit on city committees and bring vital knowledge and connections back to the city. “And I look forward to continue working towards that goal,” he said.
City Chamberlain: Lillian White
“The city Chamberlain is an important job that keeps our city going,” Nichols said, thanking the current Chamberlain, Nancy Andrews, for all her work.
“Our candidate for city chamberlain brings a wealth of knowledge to the job, Lillian White,” he announced.
White moved to Oneida about 11 years ago with her husband and son, in connection to a family business.
“I want the opportunity to lend my financial experience to benefit the city of Oneida. I believe it is a civic responsibility,” White stated.
Transparency and financial service expertise are key to her agenda. “I’m seeking your support on this unbelievable venture.” Mayor:
Margaret Milman-barris
Referring to the WWTP project, Nichols stated while introducing the candidate, “We need someone in the mayor’s office who has the skillset to deal with exactly that kind of problem.”
Milman-barris expressed gratitude towards all the candidates running for office with her, commending their collective experience, strong ideas, and professionalism. She noted that White’s 26 years in banking makes her an excellent chamberlain candidate.
Oneida is where Milmanbarris, her husband, and three children have lived for some time.
Seeing the exceptionalism in the community, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is something this potential future-mayor is proud of and would like to tap into, should she become elected.
“The people of the city of Oneida are truly amazing,” she said.
In office, Milman-barris says she will work collaboratively with the county to utilize their expertise and work with them on the issues that need addressing.
Important city-issues she noted include the WWTP, housing, city revitalization, affordable childcare, reliable public transportation, desirable teenage activities, a dog park, and accessible mental health services. Her years of experience in local government along with her expertise as a project manager and groundwater scientist will be beneficial to the position, she said.
“We need to work hard to accomplish these things while being stewards of taxpayer dollars. I know if we work together, if we harness the talent and passion in this city, we can get these things done,” she concluded.
Closing the event, Nichols urged residents to get active and help the cause. “We will need everyone’s help in electing our candidates,” he said. Posting lawn signs, making phone calls, sending postcards, and talking to your friends are all ways to help. Additionally, make sure your peers are registered to vote, he said.
To learn more about the candidates, follow their Facebook election pages: Mayor: Margaret Milmanbarris
Ward 1: Sara Haag
Ward 3: Jim Coulthart