Spa City commissioner endorses veteran
Franck backs Hicks in primary for public safety position
The city’s Commissioner of Accounts said he will back candidate Kendall Hicks to head public safety in the June 25 primary.
Democrat John Franck said on Thursdaythathewas impressed by
Hicks’ background and intelligence.
“I met him recently at a fundraiser,” Franck said. “He has a similar background to mine and he’s very intelligent, well-spoken. I’ll do what I can to help him out.”
Hicks, an Army National Guard veteran who served for 30 years, will face former deputy commissioner of public safety and fellow Democrat Eileen Finneran in the primary. Franck said that while it’s known he has not always agreed with Finneran, he said that is not the reason he is choosing Hicks as the candidate to head the department.
“He grew up with very little, like me,” Franck said. “He’s selfmade. I also like the fact that he talks about his family. Taking care of his family is important to him.”
Franck said that the city Democrats didn’t endorse a candidate for Public Safety because there were two candidates. However, he believes Hicks will do well in both the primary and the general election.
“I think there is some feeling it was a mistake to not endorse Kendall,” Franck said.
Hicks, who announced his candidacy earlier this month, said he will strive to improve relations between the police and the public. He said he is also uncomfortable with posting armed grounds monitors, mostly retired police officers who are untrained in school safety, at city schools. Last October, the Saratoga Springs School District’s 14 grounds monitors were stripped of their weapons after the Board of Education voted on the matter in order to come into compliance with state and federal law. The issue remains an on-going one because many parents disagree with the decision.
Carl Zeilman, who chairs the Saratoga County Republican Committee, said the controversy over the effectiveness of guns in school will be a central theme in the campaign for the Republican’s candidate for public safety, Robin Dalton.
Hicks also wants to try to relieve the homeless problem, build a permanent Code Blue shelter, construct safer sidewalks and trails and address the opioid epidemic.
Franck also believes that Dillon Moran, who is running against Anthony “Skip” Scirocco for commissioner of public works, is also a strong candidate.
“His parents are immigrants. He has several businesses. Both gentlemen have a good track record,” Franck said. “Of course, it helps that they are in the same party. But I think they would do well for the city.”