SHERBURNE – A large green bus full of political supporters poured into Sherburne Saturday as part of a seven-county sweep of New York’s 51st Senatorial district in support of first-time candidate Don Barber.
Barber, D-Caroline, will be taking on incumbent Senator James Seward in the election in November. New York’s 51st District includes the towns of Lincklaen, Otselic, Smyrna, Sherburne, Columbus, Plymouth and North Norwich in Chenango County.
After delivering speeches in Greene, Schoharie, Herkimer and Otsego counties, Barber made a stop at the Howard Farm in Sherburne to address the Chenango County crowd before continuing to destinations in Cortland and Tompkins counties.
Town of Smyrna Supervisor James Bays introduced Barber. “Understanding local government, the needs and challenges rural residents face and the tremendous out-migration of our young people are bedrock concerns for all of us. I’m just so pleased that these are also bedrock concerns for our guest of honor,” he said.
Barber explained the key issues of his campaign, including economic development, environmental protection, health care reform, tax reform and education. After the rally, he said his biggest concern is the economy in upstate New York.
“A sustainable economy is the base for any business,” he said, adding that he hopes to create diverse, interdependent local economies focused on sustainability and the purchase of local products. The candidate also hopes to encourage green energy production.
On the topic of environmental protection, Barber’s website states that he intends to “lead the fight to protect the environment and halt global warming by advocating for energy conservation education, as well as promoting incentives ... making upstate a leader in green energy and increasing funding for environmental protection to preserve our ecosystems and farmland.”
While working as a supervisor in Caroline, Barber helped lead the town to become the second in New York to purchase 100 percent of its energy from wind power generation. He explained that industry in upstate could benefit from becoming a leader in protecting the environment.
“There are discussions we have to have about oil. We’re not going to be able to transport food from California each year,” he said, suggesting that New York’s rural areas may have an opportunity to become the agricultural hub of the East Coast. Barber explained that to achieve this opportunity, transportation decisions would have to be reached regarding local rail lines. “The railroad is the only way. It’s important to get it back up and running. A decision should have been made long ago,” he said.
Tax reform is another issue Barber would like to see addressed in order to bring more businesses to New York. He said he hopes to lower property taxes by supporting balanced budgets, eliminating bonding and debt, and requiring state government to fund 100 percent of all mandates to local governments.
“I represent the working people,” Barber said. “Our message is: Leadership for change.”