Patricelli re-elected to City Council seat
The councilman says he will consider a run for the mayoral position next year
WATERVLIET, N.Y.>> City residents once again decided to elect Councilman Charles Patricelli to a new term.
Patricelli, a Democrat, was elected to his current council seat after he defeated Republican Andrew Williams in 2016 and officially joined the council in 2017. Patricelli ran for the open council seat after Democratic Councilwoman Ellen Fogarty decided to not seek re- election.
However, due to past mistakes in the length of City Council members’ terms of office, Patricelli was informed earlier this year that he would need to run in a special election this year for a new three-year term.
Shortly after it was determined by the Albany County Board of Elections that a special election would need to be held this year for the council seat, Fogarty decided that she wanted to get back involved with the city and decided to run against Patricelli, without the support of the Watervliet Democratic Committee.
Since Patricelli had the backing of the committee, Fogarty challenged Patricelli in a Democratic primary in September, with Patricelli winning that election. Fogarty’s name still appeared on the ballot in the general election since she had the Independence Party line.
On Tuesday night, Patricelli received 1,864 votes, while Fogarty earned 570.
“Not only did the people vote me in the first time, but they made another strong showing for this time,” said Patricelli, while saying that it was reassuring to receive support from the voters again.
Patricelli said he intends to continue to do the type of work that he has done on the council during his first year and a half, which he said has focused on things like parks and recreation, informing residents of things going on in the city, and keeping an eye on the city’s finances.
“I’ve been very open and honest with everybody and ap- proached the administration and staff and said, ‘ hey, look at it, we’re on the same team and our team is really to serve the
residents, so let’s see how we can do it the best way and the most efficient way that we possibly can’,” said Patricelli.
Patricelli said he has also tried to keep residents informed of things going on in the city by creating an email list, which reaches
over 1,000 people and by also now having City Council meetings video recorded by a volunteer and posted on his personal website.
“It’s a great way of keeping people informed,” said Patricelli. “It’s just another tool in the shed and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t use it.”
In order to correct more past election cycle mistakes within the city, Mayor Michael Manning and Coun- cilman Frank McGrouty’s positions will be up for election next year.
On Thursday afternoon, Patricelli said that he may consider running for the mayoral position next year.
“I want to do what I can do and the best I possibly can to serve the residents in the best way possible and that might be in [the mayoral] position,” said Patricelli.