City Council Candidate: Robert Cardimino
High school graduate, Navy's Radio School, autobody school, welding school. Worked at various dealerships and GE as welder then inspector. Disabled Navy veteran.
Why are you running for City Council?
To bring a commen sense to the council, to ask questions and follow through to make sure any appropriations are used on projects appropriated for and return any money left over is returned to the general fund. Also would like to serve on the Finance Committee because I know where the budget of $38 million can be cut to lower tax rates and give the homeowners some relief.
If elected, what issue in particular would you push the council to address?
Council rules, decorum, transparency, respect speakers at open forum, be friendly tp guests
What experience or perspective would you bring to the council?
I have attended meeting since the [Joseph] Biancho administration and have made many suggestions, some of them were adopted. And tight-fisted budget, making sure we get the best and lowest bids.
North Adams has a "strong mayor" form of government. How do you see the council's role in governing?
To be supportive, scrutinizing every item brought before it. Streamlining ordinances to make it easier for developers.
The current commercial tax at $36.07 per thousand is more than double the residential rate. Should the city rethink the current tax rate shift? Why or why not?
I dont believe this to be so. Mayor Alcombrioght lowered the commercial rate to the same as residential, and it was passed by the council 9-0. (The city lowered the shift to 1.71 in 2012 on a vote of 6-3; the fiscal 2014 rates are $15.92 for residential and $36.07 for commercial.)
There have been claims that blight - abandoned or unkempt properties - is increasing. Do you agree? How do you think the council can be more proactive in addressing this issue?
I haven't seen any data about it but I do think that it is. The only way the council can help is to support the health and building inspectors, along with the Planning Board. We also need to find some tax incentives that promote investment, not only in private housing but also in multiple apartment units so they can compete with public housing projects.
Plans for the private redevelopment of Western Gateway Heritage State Park have recently fallen through. Would you support another attempt at privatization?
Yes, there is a rumour that the Freight Yard Pub would buy [its building] for the $160,000 that its owed. Good starting point to market the other buildings.
The proposed bike path, skate park and Hoosic River Revival have been touted as community development projects. Do you agree? Why or why not?
The bike path is good thing, but must be laid out with least amount of interference with neighborhood's traffic patterns. Skate park too expensive and wrong location, needs vetted with some public imput. Hoosic River, we must make sure that flood control is not compromised. How is the city going to maintain it and what liability it puts on the city. Could be a great thing for the city if it's done right.
Should the city continue to try to resurrect the Mohawk Theater or is it time to turn the project over to a private or nonprofit venture?
I would like to see it sold to a private developer, a movie theater and live theater would bring more people downtown.
How have you personally supported the community?
Yes through donations to their cause. I also started Coffee With a Cop, with the help of Police Director Mike Cozzaglio.
How would you reach out to constituents? Do you use Facebook or other methods?
I would encourage them to call me as some do now and speak on their behalf and keep it anonymous if they wish. Or put them on the agenda so they could speak for 3 min.
Should the city hire more police? If so, how would you support funding that increase?
Yes, the NAPD is short handed. Funding could be had by not offering health to city councilors, which cost the city thousands of dollars, plus not giving out stipends on top of salaries
The public safety building is known to have a number of deficiencies, including violations of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Can the city afford to push for a new facility or should it try to "Band-Aid" the current structure?
There is a study going now on how to make the public safety building ADA compliant. I think it can be done. Let's see what the study shows; 2030 is too long to wait.
Heroin and opiate addiction have been related to increasing crime. Should North Adams focus on more policing, on getting addicts help or a combination of the two?
A combination of both, it's a national problem and help should be coming from the feds and the state. A combination of both its a national problem and help should be comming the feds and the state.
Do you think city government is transparent enough in its processes? Could it be better? Would you support an Open Checkbook system?
No, I don't. Too much information is passed on through emails and private meetings between the mayor and councilors. It should be better. I am all for Open Checkbook, the sooner the better.
A thriving community requires a diverse population, yet the city and Berkshires overall are seeing a decline in its younger population. What initiatives might the council be able to support to attract young people?
Until there are jobs for our high school and college grads, this trend is going to continue. Whatever initiatives are brought before council I will support.
Adams and Williamstown recently developed economic development committees. Should North Adams do so as well?
Something's got to be done, it should be a joint effort. The sooner the better. I have some sugestions and will bring them forth, elected or not. I have made some suggestions to our elected officials, mayor, state rep, state senator, governor, Congressman Markey, Sen. Warren, President Obama, and never heard a word from any of them.
Tags: candidates, election 2015, NorthAdamsElection,
