Council president, councilwoman, school board member want to be mayor of Utica
Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri is leaving the office he has held for three terms, since 2011.
Three candidates, all currently elected officials, are vying to replace him. Common Council President Michael Galime is running as the Republican lines. Common Councilmember Celeste Friend is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines. And Utica school board member Robert Cardillo is running on the Conservative line.
Here's why each says you should vote for him or her:
Robert C. Cardillo
Running as: Conservative
Age: 71
Education: B.A., urban studies, Utica College; J.D., University of West Los Angeles
Job: President, Cardinal Center LLC
Job history:
Community planning and development director on the post 9/11 Lower Manhattan Development Project and point person in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under President George W. Bush
Regional director, Empire State Development Corporation
Director of municipal marketing, NYS Power Authority
Adjunct professor, Utica University, Mohawk Valley Community College, York College of Pennsylvania and Georgetown University
Political offices:
Current member, Utica City School Board
Oneida County Legislator, 21st District
Oneida County Republican Party Chairperson
Family: Sons Robert and Nicholas, grandson Zachary
What makes you the best candidate for mayor? My experience as an administrator actually leading departments makes me the most uniquely qualified candidate to lead on day one. I have experience in the private sector that will allow me to create economic growth because I have hands-on experience working with and for businesses on all levels. I have been working with leaders on the local, state and national levels for the majority of my career, and I know how to get all parties to work together to solve pressing issues.
What will your top priorities be if elected? Combating crime will be at the top of my priorities list. My precinct plan will be the first step in the tackling of this pressing issue. In addition, I will bring on a vastly qualified public safety commissioner that will be tasked with adding to the administration the ability to coordinate public safety and first responders.
Next, my focus will be on our neighborhoods. My administration will ensure our neighborhoods are safe, clean and livable for all residents. I will take a block-by-block approach to making certain that the needs of the residents are met.
In addition, I have extensive and unique experience tackling homelessness throughout my career, and I will leverage that experience from City Hall.
Finally, I plan on creating a Youth Advisory Council to let our young people become a part of the process. We will listen to what their needs are and address them accordingly.
How can the growth taking place in Utica be leveraged to make sure that all residents benefit? We have done a great job downtown; we need to continue to build upon that success. My Industry-Labor-Education Council will serve as eyes and ears for the entire administration to ensure the needs of businesses, small and large, are met and all areas of the city are benefiting.
Celeste Friend
Running as: Democrat, Working Families
Age: 59
Education: B.A., University of Massachusetts at Amherst; Ph.D., philosophy, City University of New York
Job history:
Adjunct lecturer, SUNY Polytechnic Institute (until fall 2023)
Executive director, Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival (Resigned to run for mayor)
Political offices:
Current member, City of Utica Common Council for the Third Ward (since 2020)
What makes you the best candidate for mayor? I’ve demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring that everyone in Utica is heard by their government, understands how it works, and can effectively access needed services and assistance. I’ve listened to people’s concerns and put forth a practical vision for the future of Utica that includes all of us. And, I have a track record of achievement that shows I can get it done.
What will your top priorities be if elected? Public safety, transparency and livable neighborhoods. I’ll hire a full-time public safety commissioner to improve safety city wide. I’ll create transparency by revising the website, establishing a city-wide newsletter and regularly meeting with residents. I’ll work to improve our neighborhoods by creating and repairing sidewalks across the city, planting trees and ensuring accessibility for all of us. I’ll work to make the city sustainable for the future by investing in our infrastructure and preparing us for extreme weather.
How can the growth taking place in Utica be leveraged to make sure that all residents benefit? Everyone needs to participate in and profit from the renaissance now underway in Utica. And we can’t do top-down growth that benefits only a few! Each community has its own wants, needs and strengths. I’ll work with the people and councilperson in each neighborhood to identify what is needed in each area and how the city can help make it happen. Possibilities include small business initiatives and support, afterschool activities for our kids, an arts-and-entertainment district geared to younger people and programs that enable seniors to feel more secure and connected in their homes and neighborhoods. We have a lot of creativity and community spirit in Utica. We ought to take advantage of it.
Michael P. Galime
Running as: Republican
Age: 43
Education: B.S., optics, concentration in music, certificate in personnel management, University of Rochester
Job: Director – Solutions, Finance and Capital Markets
Job history:
Fiber Instrument Sales, Rome Air Force Research Labs contractor, Par Government System, Datacom Systems/Ixia/Keysight and AFM Local 52 with experience in project and personnel management, government contract management, engineering project planning and development, business development, marketing, sales, site office management and union leadership
Political office: Current president, City of Utica Common Council (2016-2019 and 2020-present)
Family: Wife Jody, daughter Lena, son Michael
What makes you the best candidate for mayor? Eight years of relevant functional experience and knowledge garnered from the role of council president. A lifetime of community commitment unrelated to politics. The partnership with, and backing of, the police, fire, and DPW unions. The private sector management experience to apply while providing fresh leadership to improve our city services for the people. Taking care of this city is personal to me. This is our home and I will lead the city as such.
What will your top priorities be if elected? As mayor, I will be responsible for the vision, management and accountability to deliver our municipal services for every person who lives here, works here or has a business here. While my administration will prioritize our fiscal health, infrastructure maintenance, the revitalization of our neighborhoods, youth engagement and education, and local business development, public safety must be the top priority while delivering the open government - with the people - that allows us to cultivate our future.
How can the growth taking place in Utica be leveraged to make sure that all residents benefit? Growth in our city creates the opportunity to maintain a stronger municipal government. If that’s tax revenue resulting in more services, we need to ensure we add where need is the greatest and that areas that are underserved gain focus. If growth means jobs, we must ensure that our community is part of that and our educational institutions are leading our youth to prosperity. My administration will lead our future growth from the perspective of those who wake up and call Utica home in our neighborhoods, the businesses that have grown here and open their doors each day, and market Utica to continually build from our core and continue the renaissance of our city.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Utica mayoral race: Cardillo, Friend, Galime hope to replace Palmieri
