NORWICH – Fall is upon us, and before we know it, Nov. 7 will be here. This year’s elections include a mayoral race to fill the vacancy left behind when Mayor Robert C. Raphael passed away in late May. Joseph P. Maiurano has been filling the position since then, but an election will be held to see who will finish out the final year of Raphael’s term. Running against Maiurano will be Democrat Michael Carnrike and Independent Vincent Anthony.
Maiurano is running on the Republican ticket to continue his term in office. Maiurano is a lifelong Norwich resident, who lives in the same home in which he grew up. He has taught and coached in this community, and he says he wants to help make the city a great place to live.
“The city belongs to the people. Officials are elected to represent the needs of the people, but they have to tell us what those needs are,” Maiurano said. He advocates the community’s involvement in city government and says he wants to be accessible to the public. “I want to be available to the public. No matter what your concern, I will make it my priority,” he said.
Maiurano says he has talked to many people about their concerns with the city. Not every problem has a simple solution, he said; sometimes it takes time, but the city council looks at the problems and finds a solution. During his time in office, Maiurano and the council have been actively pushing cleanup efforts in the City of Norwich. They have passed a new garbage ordinance, are working on multi-family housing regulations, and are pursuing a grant to obtain money for rebuilding condemned properties owned by the city. “Every city has areas that need work. That’s what our council is trying to do,” he said.
Maiurano gives a lot of credit to the Common Council, and the relationship the members have. “Our council is a great council. We have open discussion. Everyone has a say, and everything is discussed,” he said. “Communication is very important. If we don’t have communication, things fall through the cracks.”
He discussed the issues that he feels need addressing in the city, mainly the need for more jobs and industry. “I would like to bring back to the community what we’ve grown in our local school system. We have produced great young ladies and gentlemen.” Maiurano said he wants to bring more jobs to the community, so people in this area will have a reason to stay here and raise a family.
However, bringing industry to the area is difficult without a viable means of transportation. “Industries need to have a working railroad,” Maiurano said. He says he has been working with New York State senators and congressmen to address this issue. Maiurano said it does not matter which political parties the politicians belong to, he has been working with everyone. “We represent the people of the city. We work with all parties.” A decision about the railroad has not yet been reached, but Maiurano said if we do not have an active rail line, we need to speak to our politicians about expanding or widening the Rt. 12 corridor. The line, which runs from Utica to Binghamton, is a developing area for industry, Maiurano said.
The current mayor said he is an advocate of positive thinking. “If you think there’s a way to solve a problem, you will find a way,” he said.
He says cooperation is the key to success. Town, city and county leaders all need to work together for the greater good of Norwich and Chenango County.
Look for an interview with mayoral candidate Michael Carnrike in Tuesday’s Evening Sun.