NORWICH — Over the weekend, candidates of the upcoming general election gathered in East Park to meet with voters and discuss political platforms. The forum was organized by the Democratic and Republican Committees of Chenango County. Areas of interest among candidates ranged from infrastructure improvement to refreshing the town and drawing in new residents.

The forum was meant to act as a platform for constituents to meet the people they may be voting for, and learn more about their stances and plans if elected, according to Democratic Committee member and forum organizer Karol Kucinski.

“And we think that what these candidate forums do is they provide a kind of platform where all candidates can present their views to the public. So that's a benefit to them. Okay. And it provides a place where all citizens or voters or constituents or whatever you want to call them can go and meet the people who they will have a chance to vote for. And ask them any questions that they may have, voice any concerns that they may have,” said Kucinski.

In attendance were both mayoral candidates, Brian Doliver and John Quattrocchi, both candidates for county clerk, Bill Smith and Brian Wessels, Ward 2 Alderman candidates Fred Gee and Thomas Curnalia, Alderman for Ward 4 candidate Bill Loomis, Alderman for Ward 6 candidate Robert D. Jeffrey, City Supervisor for Wards 4, 5, and 6 candidate Robert M. Jeffrey, and candidates for Sheriff Debra Cubbedge and Ernest Cutting.

MAYORAL CANDIDATES

John Quattrocchi, lifetime Norwich resident and business owner, said he wanted to run for mayor because he wanted to have an impact on the city he grew up in.

"I've been a lifelong resident of the City of Norwich, my whole life," said Quattrocchi. "I just feel that at this point in my life, my kids are grown, I have grandkids now, and I have a chance to make an impact on the city."

Among Quattrocchi's biggest concerns is the loss of the "small hometown feel” the City of Norwich once had.

"The young women that did the dog park and raised money did a phenomenal job," he said. "Why doesn't every ward that has a city park have a dog park? Why doesn't every ward that has a city property park, why don't we have raised bed gardens and there's a community garden for that ward? ... We're losing the aspect of that small hometown feel."

While he doesn't have government experience, Quattrocchi said that will actually be beneficial should he be elected mayor.

"I don't have necessarily a local government experience, but I also think that's where it's gonna help me, because my, the experience I had from the business ownership of the apartment houses, to my business, and just my ideas," said Quattrocchi. "As far as the political experience of going to the meetings, I've gone to common council meetings ... What political experience do you need, except for life experience, to be able to come and tap the resources."

His opponent, current Alderman Brian Doliver, is focusing on code enforcement, infrastructure, and public safety.

"I think we need to prioritize our infrastructure, prioritize with our code issues, okay, so we have a lot of code issues, but we need to simplify how we do codes," Doliver explained. "Our public safety is very important, it's half our budget ... Quality of life is very important. But we have to look to grants to do the extra stuff. You have to make sure that the streets are paved, water's clean, you know, the fire trucks are replaced. That's a priority."

Doliver also said his experience working with the common council will strengthen his ability to act as mayor.

"If you can't work with the council you're not going to get very far. In my experiences with the council that's very important," he said, adding that he's worked with the council for eight years.

"I'm very confident that I can start on day one," said Doliver. "I'm confident we can move Norwich forward."

COUNTY CLERK CANDIDATES

Another major election coming up in November is for the position of county clerk. It is the only county-wide position being elected, and is contested between Brian Wessels and Bill Smith.

Wessels, the current director for the Office for Aging, is confident his experiences in management and leadership will help him do the job well.

"I've led a department, I've managed people, I've handled the fiscal side and the administrative side of running an office, and the county clerk needs to have someone who has proven leadership abilities," said Wessels. "So I feel like I've got good experience working with people, managing people, and I look forward to the opportunity to learn."

Due to the vast amount of offices the county clerk covers, Wessels said there would be some things he'll need to learn. However, he said this will not be a problem.

"There's a lot of facets to the office, there's a lot to it. You need somebody who's going to be there, who is going to be able to manage the staff that's doing that, and of course being new to the position when I come in there's going to be lots to learn. I plan on being there and really rolling up my sleeves and learning the job and learning the staff, and my plan is to be there for a really long time," he said, adding that he is "ambitious" and "eager to learn."

Bill Smith, local attorney of 45 years, is also running for the position of county clerk. He said he wants to focus on improving the department.

"I have a lot of experience with the county clerk's, and I just thought it would be an opportunity to, not that there's anything wrong, but maybe just to try to make things better that's all. And better service to the public," Smith explained.

He also stated that he would be happy to do the job.

"I would do it, and I'd be glad to do it, and I hope I get elected that's all," he said.

CITY ALDERMAN

Some elections this year are uncontested, but according to current Alderman Robert Jeffrey, that doesn't mean you don't have to put in the effort of campaigning.

"So, I still gotta go through the election process. Even though I do not have an opponent, doesn't mean you don't have to put the work in. I'm still gonna go out and talk to people, there's still issues that have to get taken care of," said Jeffrey.

The focus for Jeffrey will be revitalization and improvement of the Norwich area, and finding a way to draw more people to the town.

"The biggest thing is neighborhood revitalization and rejuvenation of that. We have to find a way to attract people to this area, whether that's getting businesses into our area, manufacturing I think is pretty key. We've got a really strong past of manufacturing, and that's something that I think we can bring back," he said.

Jeffrey also emphasized the need to make Norwich an inviting place, where someone would want to settle down and raise a family.

"If you bring a family into this community, you're looking for a place that is gonna be safe, and you're gonna feel really protected," Jeffrey explained. "You're looking at your neighborhood and you're like, 'do I see myself raising a family here?' I see a lot of young people are looking for that."

The general election will be held on November 2, 2021. Candidates will be campaigning until then, and organizer of Saturday's forum, Karol Kucinski, said to be on the lookout for upcoming forums and debates.