Name: James E. Potts Jr.
Born: Columbus, Ohio
Family: Wife, Kim. Daughter, Ali
Career Highlights: Vice President, Special Investigations Division, NYCM Insurance Company. With NYCM for 27 years.
CONTRACTING WITH OTSEGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPTARTMENT.
The top Village budget items are a logical place to start looking for efficiencies. While the possibility of police consolidation has received all of the press on the subject, it is not, nor will it be, the only area examined for possible cost and service efficiencies. I voted at the last board meeting to support at least an examination of the subject. From that, there are several scenarios that could occur. First, the village could examine the issue and determine that the benefit to any consolidation or change in the way the police operate would not offer enough of a cost benefit to make it worthwhile. Second, the village could share control and responsibility with the Sheriff’s Dept., again based on a benefit to service factor. Third, the village could elect to have the all of the services delivered by the Sheriff if the appropriate benefit and service agreement could be reached. And of course, the current Police Department should be examined for efficiencies that have not been acted upon that would still deliver services, but with an appropriate cost benefit. Regardless, because I have been outspoken on needing, and heeding input from our Village residents, I would also support a public referendum on the matter.
RESOLVING THE POLICE CHIEF MATTER
It is a shame when an employee feels the need to sue his/her employer. It can only serve as a distraction from other issues at hand as it requires the attention and expenditure of Village resources. However, as is the case with most matters that are litigated, there are two sides to the issue and while the Chief has spoken publicly, I think it is proper to allow the issue to be decided in the proper venue.
MAIN STREET SOLUTIONS
It is my belief that we must strive to have a thriving local economy and certainly a mainstay of that is a diversified and healthy Main Street. Recently there has been interest in converting the second and third floors of Main Street and Doubleday buildings into housing units. I support this idea, but it will have to come with some kind of parking solution to make it a viable possibility. I also think that we should explore the closing of Main Street to vehicle traffic on a few occasions during the summer. I would like to see a street fair type atmosphere with different vendors, food and even live music to enjoy. The goal of course would be to use the entire Main Street area to increase everyone’s revenues. There would have to be consensus of course from the various entities, including of course, the Hall of Fame.
PAID PARKING
I recently voted to remove the paid parking law on Main and Pioneer streets from the books. I have stated publicly that this is the very issue that pushed me to agree to serve the Village. After attending the meetings several years ago and hearing the overwhelming majority of people opposed to paid parking, I was shocked to watch the then Mayor and Board vote to put it in place. I felt unheard and certainly un-represented by those very people who were elected for just that purpose. And while the thought of a parking tax to generate revenue from tourists is seemingly attractive, I was not confident that the solutions for local residents would be beneficial. I did not think it wise to further burden local residents with any additional steps or discounted rates to have access to their Main Street. Regarding the fiscal issues, there have been several amounts claimed for economic benefit to the Village. The problem is that all of the money, whichever amount you believe, goes in the General Fund where it is fair game for every department. The actual percentage and dollar amount that went to street repairs (remember, that is what it was supposed to be used for) was actually quite small. Again reinforcing the notion that no matter how much more revenue the Village generates, we find a way to spend it and not necessarily on what it was intended for.
SKILLS AND TALENTS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER CANDIDATES
While at candidate’s night I heard the values of some of the enterprises that people were employed by and while it was nice to hear, I won’t be commenting on the value of the company that I work for nor for my particular contribution to our bottom line. I am proud of both, but I don’t think the amount of money for either should be a measuring stick. What I will say, however, is that I have what I consider to be a unique skill set. My professional career has been spent developing my skills as an investigator and my educational career has been spent pursuing a BBA with a minor in financial services. As Vice President of our Special Investigations Division, I am charged with the safeguarding of our policyholders and company’s assets from people or enterprises who would otherwise try to steal them. I take that job very seriously, as you would hope I would, if it involved your money. I have learned discipline and integrity from my service in the Air Force; I have been trained in mediation and conflict resolution. I have been a professional manager for almost all of my adult life. It is my hope that you appreciate what makes up both my personal and professional lives as I ask for your vote to serve you on the Cooperstown Board of Trustees.
