NORWICH - Lifelong City of Norwich resident, and former Ward Six Alderman Robert D. Jeffrey officially filed with the Chenango County Board of Elections to run for the office of City of Norwich mayor.

Jeffrey, 29, is a 2014 graduate of Norwich High School, a 2018 graduate of Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY with a bachelors degree in History with a concentration in Adolescent Education.

Jeffrey had served as Ward Six Alderman on the City’s East Side for seven years from January 2018- December 2024. He is married to Kalista (Sutton) Jeffrey and is the son of Bob and Monica (Branciforti) Jeffrey.

Jeffrey is a communicant of St. Bartholomew’s Church and serves on their Finance Committee; member of the Knights of Columbus Council #211; member of the City of Norwich Planning Commission; member of the Norwich Business Improvement District (B.I.D.), served on the Downtown Revitalization Initiative Application & Local Planning Committees; member of the Norwich High School Hall of Distinction Committee and is a 2024 Graduate of  Leadership Chenango; a former board member of both Colorscape Chenango and Catholic Charities. 

While serving as Ward Six Alderman, he served as Common Council President, Acting Mayor, and Chairman of both the Finance/Personnel and Public Safety/Public Works Committees. Jeffrey played a major part in upgrading the city’s street lights to LEDs city wide, as well as pedestrian safety crossing lights throughout North and South Broad Streets.

As Alderman, Jeffrey worked with the common council and mayor to make significant infrastructure improvements such as; watermain replacements, and millions of dollars worth of citywide paving- including almost every street in Ward Six being paved within the last seven years. During his time in office, Jeffrey helped negotiate Union and Intermunicipal service contracts. Jeffrey also played a critical role in ensuring the City of Norwich was fiscally responsible by passing seven consecutive balanced budgets that remained below New York State’s tax cap. 

Jeffrey says his primary motivations for running is for his concerns for the safety and security of city residents and neighborhoods citywide. As well attracting investments for more workforce and senior housing, and to support continual improvements to the city’s downtown business district. 

“Our neighborhoods are the lifeblood of our city. Every home is only a block or two away from an area that needs serious attention. My focus if elected is to stimulate the creation and rehabilitation of single family homes.” 

Jeffrey said housing is the key variable in order to clean up blight and re-establish once thriving neighborhoods, but to also attract new enterprise to the area.

“In the Post-Covid world it has created an opportunity where more people from other areas of the state and our country are looking for rural areas like ours to live, invest and work remotely. We are at a critical point to lean into the opportunities ahead of us and forge a new path for our city, by refocusing on commitment to safety for residents and creating new housing opportunities and incentives for existing property owners.”

“We need to ensure the homes in our neighborhoods are quaint, quality and most importantly safe. That’s all everyone I’ve spoken to is looking for; safety and security for themselves and their families. The better we can make our city safer- the higher property values will increase- and the demand to live in the city will be vast” added Jeffrey. 

Focusing on development in the city’s downtown core is also at the heart of Jeffrey’s campaign. “Looking at other localities in upstate New York, downtowns are being redesigned to be historical, cultural and social epicenters of the community. Places for where people want to gather and socialize. With Norwich’s historic facades along with numerous anchor businesses, we have the tools available to create a dynamic atmosphere downtown as the premier place to go for food, recreation and culture.” 

To accomplish this, Jeffrey said he is committing to leaving nothing off the table to make a safe space for adults and families. “I have the energy, motivation and passion to turn the page for our city. We need to prioritize investment in public safety-specifically pedestrian safety, investments in sidewalks and other infrastructures including lighting and creating programs that will encourage redevelopment of areas within our downtown. Every business here in the City of Norwich would love to see more families downtown- we already see that with the festivals and events during the year…we should be doubling down on public safety and having that same safe family friendly atmosphere on a daily basis. And I know we are capable of achieving that goal.” 

Jeffrey stated he is looking forward to meeting with residents within the city over the next several months.

“I am excited about the opportunity to run for Mayor, and I am looking forward to meeting with residents regarding their concerns and their vision of what the City of Norwich can be in the years ahead,” he said.

- Information from the campaign for Robert Jeffrey