A conversation with Mr. Brian Stratton Mayor of the city of Schenectady, New York, since November of 2003
Una conversación con el Sr. Brian Stratton Alcalde de la ciudad de Schenectady, New York, desde Noviembre, 2003
By: Juan J. George
I
t was a rainy spring afternoon. I was driving towards the city of Schenectady New York to meet with my friend Janneth Hall who had made an appointment to interview the Mayor of the city Mr. Brian Stratton. Because I did not know the location of City Hall, we decided to meet at Villa Italia a place we mutually knew and drive to the mayor’s office from there. I arrived there a bit late Janneth was already in the parking lot. I followed her until we reach a block where I saw this majestic building with large marble stairs. We parked and walked toward the office of the mayor. Janneth very loving and very elegant as always waited with me in the foyer of the mayor’s office who arrived shortly. Mr. Stratton guided us to what appeared to be a conference room. We sat down and began the conversation. We had an opportunity to discuss a variety of issues. We talked about his family. He said that besides being the mayor, he was a son, a husband and a father. He indicated that same day his mother had just gone thru hip replacement surgery which had to be a priority over some other business at hand. We talked about how we both had attended the same university in different time of course. You see, the mayor is a lot younger than I.
P. JUNE 2008 P. JUNE 2008
When asked of his accomplishments, he said that goal in its first four years was to restore the economic integrity of the city, and to rebuild a sense of respect in the community. He thinks that with help from state and federal agencies as well as being surrounded by a group of able professionals he was able to accomplished most of his goals. He said that the problems of the city of Schenectady are similar to the problems of many other cities in the nation. The crime, the collapse of infrastructure, and the decresing population are part of these problems. He said that Schenectady has to rebuild its neighborhoods. We need millions perhaps billions of dollars to fix streets, sidewalks and sewers he further stated. He added that we needed to attract good people to live and stay in this community. People who are an integral part of the community and those who are not interested in negative things like drugs or crime. He added, neighborhoods are the most important things in a community. Without neighborhoods there is no community. He said that although the development of downtown helps bring the needed resources and revenues, there can be no progress if the quality of life in neighborhoods is not good.
The mayor also indicated that although the city has its problems regarding public safety, He with the help of many others is working hard to change this. He said that the police can not do the job alone. He indicated that he would like the Hispanic community to be part of a neighborhood watch type of a group to help increase the public safety in the neighborhoods. He said that the city was working with individuals such as Carlos Caraballo to help the Hispanic community increase it visibility in the community in a positive way. He is in supports of efforts in the community on education and voter registration and education. He further invites the community to visit the office of Hispanic affairs which is open every Wednesday and ask for Mr. Caraballo. This office should offer a good opportunity for the exchange of ideas that can benefit both the Hispanic community and the community at large. We thank the mayor for the opportunity to have this conversation and Janneth Hall for coordinating it.
LATINO New York LATINO New York