NORWICH – As city residents head to the polls Nov. 8, they will have two candidates to choose from for one City Supervisor position.
Republican Robert M. Jeffrey, candidate for the “Time for Change” party, opposes long time Republican incumbent, Linda E. Natoli for the Wards 4, 5 and 6 city supervisor spot. Natoli, who has been elected supervisor nine times, is now finishing her 18th year as a city official.
Jeffrey, a Frontier Communications employee for 25 years, has acted as Alderman in Ward 6 for six years and previously served on the City Planning Commission, Civil Service Commission and the board for the Business Improvement District.
Jeffrey’s proposition focuses on necessary change in the city and he says he can make a significant impact as a representative for the city at the county level by focusing on community development.
“Almost every resident in the City of Norwich is only one or two blocks away from an area that needs attention,” Jeffrey said. “I want to work with the county to improve neighborhoods.” His primary goal, he added, is to improve the safety and security for city residents while emphasizing the need for affordable senior housing and creating an environment where families will invest in residential housing.
“When you encourage development, the revenues will come ... and there will be an increase on property value,” he explained.
While Jeffrey’s campaign emphasizes development, Natoli has based hers on experience and points to her accomplishments. According to her, voters should “count on experience” if they wish to see the city move forward.
Natoli, a retiree of Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, has endowed her campaign with the belief that community involvement has given her the knowledge of residents’ needs. She maintains that it’s important to take pride in volunteering and community concern.
“What you get out of community life is what you put in to it,” she said. Moreover, she said her experience taught her the need for cooperation to influence government at the county level.
“I don’t look at myself as a politician – I look at myself as a public servant,” said Natoli. “We can’t afford to play partisan politics.”
Presently, she is active in both the city’s Agriculture Building and Grounds Committee and the Safety Committee. She said she’s served on every standing committee in Norwich.
“Chenango County the way it was is evolving into a new era,” said Natoli. She added that synergy and non-partisan politics are vital aspects in improving the city.
While serving as city supervisor, Natoli has played a role in the development of the Public Safety Facility, the Northeast Classic Car Museum and the renovations of the former county jail on Court Street.
Jeffrey said his work as alderman has given him the needed experience as he has supported past initiatives including the addition of the City Police K-9 Unit, the Paint Rebate Program and overseeing $500,000 in Restore New York funding.
Aldermen Robert Carey (first ward), John Deierlein (third ward) and Paul Laughlin (fifth ward), will run unopposed next week while Terry Bresina (second ward), Walter Schermerhorn (fourth ward) and Robert Jeffrey (sixth ward) continue their terms. If elected city supervisor, Jeffrey’s alderman replacement would be appointed by the Common Council. City Supervisor of Wards 1, 2 and 3, James McNeil, is running unopposed.