The Post Standard recently interviewed Solvay village Democratice candidates to find their positions on some important village issues:

Question #1:
Do you think the proposed Solvay-Geddes police merger is a good idea for village taxpayers?

Daniel Bellotti, Democratic Candidate for Solvay Village Mayor
Response: Such a proposal does not exist.  The Solvay board of trustees has not provided any information to the general public concerning these rumored discussions.  There is a lack of transparency in our village government today. As Mayor, I will keep our citizens advised in the affairs of the village.  I support and appreciate the excellent job Police Chief Cox and his staff are providing our citizens.  Any further discussion is premature at this time.

Ronald Benedetti, Democratic Candidate for Solvay Village Trustee, Ward 1
Response: We the village residents have not been privileged to any information concerning a police merger.  No specifics have been provided to the public, and no actual plan has been proposed.  The matter has simply been fodder for rumors within the village.  Therefore, it would be inappropriate to render an opinion as to whether it would ultimately be beneficial to the taxpayers of Solvay at this time.

William DeSpirito, Democratic Candidate for Solvay Village Trustee, Ward 2
Response: There have been no informational meetings scheduled addressing this issue.  No state feasibility studies have been made available to the general public.  The issue is nothing more than mere gossip at this time.

Without specifics being given to the public, it is impossible to consider the benefits or drawbacks of any such proposal.  I do believe that our Police Chief and his department are doing a great job of protecting and serving our village.


Jamie Colucci, Democratic Candidate for Solvay Village Trustee, Ward 3
Response: No proposal has been submitted to residents of Solvay and Geddes regarding this approach.  Instead, we have been given only what has been leaked out to us in the form of divisive and unsettling rumors.  It would be irresponsible to offer an opinion as to what would be most beneficial to our taxpayers and the police who protect them, without first knowing what our options really are and weighing their consequences.




Question #2:
How should the village replace the highway garage that was destroyed by the water main break in 2007?

Daniel Bellotti, Democratic Candidate for Solvay Village Mayor
Response: Due to the excessive spending and borrowing practices of the present village board, Solvay does not have the necessary bonding capacity to build a new and efficient highway department garage.  It is deplorable that our trucks are rusting and decaying in the severe elements, a further waste in our tax dollars.
As Mayor, I will work with the village board and our Democratic U.S. Senators, our Democratic Congressman Maffei and our Democratic Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli, to investigate the availability of dollars for “shovel-ready” projects in Solvay.  My priority will be to use sound fiscal decisions to improve our bond rating and reestablish our ability to bond effectively.       

Ronald Benedetti, Democratic Candidate for Solvay Village Trustee, Ward 1
Response: It’s unfortunate that our village highway employees have worked almost two years without a suitable facility.  It is also unfortunate that the village board has nearly exhausted its ability to bond for the construction of this or any needed capital project. I believe that the village should be working with our federal and state officials to determine if there are any funds to assist the village in the reconstruction of a new highway garage during this financial crisis.

William DeSpirito, Democratic Candidate for Solvay Village Trustee, Ward 2
Response: Due to the current village board’s failure to rebuild the village highway department garage, our employees have been forced to work out of inadequate facilities since 2007.  Additionally, their equipment is rusting and deteriorating from being stored out in severe weather conditions.  This is directly due to the bad fiscal decisions of the village administration.
Where are the insurance funds from our previous highway garage?  How do we address this need with a current deficit of $181,000, as recently stated by the village comptroller and as reported in this newspaper.  Our officials have admitted that the village has nearly exhausted its ability to bond.  Therefore, the village will be hard pressed to build a new garage, or to deal with any other unexpected expenditures.
The village must take advantage of all opportunities open to it, including seeking available “shovel-ready” dollars for a new garage.  As Trustee, I will pursue all avenues to see that the village’s needs are met in a timely and proper manner.

Jamie Colucci, Democratic Candidate for Solvay Village Trustee, Ward 3
Response: The fiscal crisis that has left the village unable to reconstruct its highway department garage did not come upon us suddenly.  It is the result of years of bad financial decisions that went unnoticed or unchallenged, and it will now take considerable time and effort to restore our bond rating without adversely affecting our taxpayers.  It will therefore be our responsibility as Trustees to aggressively seek funding streams from outside the village, to a much greater degree than in recent years when offered monies were passed up in favor of excessive borrowing.