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Harry Tutunjian, Incumbant candidate for Mayor of Troy (Republican, Conservative, Independence Party)

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Q1. With what political parties are you associated? What does that party affiliation mean to you and how it affects how you would handle your job as Mayor of Troy? "I am endorsed by the Republican, Conservative, and Independence Parties. All of these affiliations do not change the job I do each and every day at all. Being the Mayor of Troy is about getting the job done for the residents of Troy, not a political party. A broad range of groups endorses me, including the CSEA and the New York League of Conservation Voters. Working together is what we should all be about. Not political parties."

Harry Tutunjian (Republican, Conservative, Independence Party)

Q2. How would the proposed deal with Judge Development Corporation to relocate Troy City Hall away from the waterfront to the Verizon building on 6th avenue help or hurt Troy residents in both the short and long term?

"This proposed deal with JDC does not harm the residents at all. The current City Hall is falling down. It is the definition of energy inefficiency. To rehabilitate this building, it would cost more than $3 million.

We sit on prime property that should be redeveloped to build our tax base. We have found a developer that is willing to pay more than $1.5 million per acre, demolish City Hall, improve access to our greatest resource- the Hudson River- all while providing us with a new building to move into.

As someone said to me recently, it is the Deal of the Century."

Q3. If you were elected Mayor, what would be your vision for Troy over the next few years?

"When I am re-elected as Mayor of Troy, the vision is simple. We must continue to build upon the momentum we are currently seeing. We must continue to bring new residents to Troy. Recently the Business Review ranked us the 11th Fastest Growing Municipality in the area, number two among cities after Saratoga Springs.

That is in great part due to the influx of new residents. What we must continue to do is give them a reason to be in Troy. Empty promises from old politicians don’t mean a thing. What matters is making the City we are in livable. Taking care of the day-to-day issues. For a long time in Troy all that existed here from the government was apathy to growing crime, ignorance of code enforcement problems, and arrogance that everything was okay.

For four years we have attacked problems head on, focusing on finding a solution rather than finding a way to take advantage of things politically. A change in attitude has benefited this City greatly, and I will continue that."

Q4. What is the biggest challenge currently facing Troy, and how would you handle it differently from your opponents?

"The biggest challenge facing Troy today is building our tax base, expanding upon our resources and capitalizing on our great potential. Each of these relates directly to all other issues.

To keep our streets safe and clean we need people and dollars. To build and strengthen our neighborhoods we need to be able to fund it. To grow, you need to be fiscally strong.

To reach our great potential we need to increase our tax base. The taxpayers in Troy have dealt with increased tax burdens for far too long, it is time to remove that burden from their backs.

The way to do that is economic development. Whether it’s the Congress-Ferry reconstruction project, the Hedley District on the Hudson River, a Hilton Garden Inn on Hoosick Street, or luxury loft apartments in Lansingburgh and North Central, my administration has done more in four years to build the tax base and strengthen our economy than was done in the previous eight years combined.

We are building a climate of growth in Troy as we like to say, and the word is spreading throughout the area, and throughout New York State. When it comes to fruition, it will benefit the residents of Troy more than any other group. The quality of life will continue to improve, and the tax burden will be lessened. "

Q5. Why should the people of the Troy choose you as their Mayor over all others?

"This race for Mayor is all about what have you done. When I ask people for their vote this year I will ask them simply- Is Troy better than it was four years ago? So far the response to my question has been an overwhelming yes. I will continue to ask that questions, and if confronted with a no, find out why and fix it.

We have made it a point in Troy to right the wrongs from years ago. Local government is all about being responsible to the people. While previous leaders let cultural events like RiverFest die, we have embraced Troy’s artistic side, and made it a home for a number of events, bringing visitors to Troy for the first time in many years.

We have increased the amount of police in Troy, reduced the negative impact that union contracts had on our healthcare, and worked with employees to find common ground.

Troy is stronger fiscally now than it has been in 20 years. That point should not be understated. We are ripe for growth, but we need to capitalize on it."

For further information contact: www.troyny.org/mayor/mayors_office.html

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