In his case, one-and-done is a good thing. But, now it's up to the people-who-would-be-mayor to clearly make their views known on the many pressing topics affecting the future of the city.
And, they all could do the voters a favor by focusing on real issues, and not indulging in the usual childish bickering and petty politics that passes for thoughtful discourse in this city and has harmed its reputation for decades no matter which party is in power. Incessantly posting "gotchas" on social media is not a real credential for chief executive of a multi-million-dollar enterprise.
The Times Union, quoting "officials familiar with his plans," reported today that Rosamilia will call it quits after a single term and make that announcement tomorrow. Considering the endless problems and controversies he has faced in his 3+ years, that is understandable. However, those problems will not go away when he does. They will be inherited by his successor. That's where each mayoral candidate's platform is critical. What, for example would they do about this string of problems? Not just some of them, but all of them.
• Slumlike conditions persist in many neighborhoods, caused not only by the lifestyles of people living there but by lax maintenance by building owners and lax code enforcement by the City.
• A rash of arsons in Lansingburgh that began last summer remains unsolved. Fear has hung over the residents for too many months, and with winter slowly disappearing, firebugs will again be on the prowl.
• Major fiscal woes have the state once again looking over the collective shoulder of city government, and huge pension payments loom. Short of tax hikes, which should be ruled out without question for a population with a generally low average income, what to do?
• Rampant overspending on overtime by the police and fire departments has become institutionalized, but it shouldn't be. Better planning and administration are needed.
• Streets and major road surfaces throughout the city are in worse shape than they've been in years, with cavernous potholes causing motorists to swerve like drunk drivers to avoid rupturing a tire.
• The City shows a continued lack of willingness to obey the City Charter and require sidewalks to be kept clear in winter, forcing far too many pedestrians to walk on icy roads in traffic day and night.
• The continuing lack of a real, cost-effective City Hall is ridiculous. Going into an office building and taking an elevator to the fifth floor is not the way to impress people with how you do municipal business.The list could go on to include such things as the federal government investigating some highly questionable building-demolition decisions, and the snail's pace "development" of Monument Square that in actuality has been nothing but talk and aborted plans for years while the site of the former City Hall just sits there like a broken tooth in an aging mouth.
On the upside, what the next mayor also will inherit is the encouraging number of small businesses flocking to the city to take advantage of its empty commercial building stock, its walkable downtown, and its riverside ambiance; the number of entrepreneurial young people willing to put in the sweat equity needed to revive some of our once-beautiful buildings; and, the number of young, taxpaying residents making either the decision to stay or to come here for all the attractions.
But, that high tide of interest could easily ebb if the major woes of the City are submerged in a swamp of backbiting, political BS and lack of innovative municipal management.
Demand better, folks. If you do not, then you deserve what you get.
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