Members of the Poughkeepsie Area Chamber of Commerce had business on the brain as they posed questions to Republican John Tkazyik and Democrat Fred Knapp, the two candidates for mayor of the City of Poughkeepsie. The chamber’s candidate forum on Oct. 17 was the final debate in a series leading up to November elections.
Knapp beat incumbent mayor Nancy Cozean (D) in the September Democratic primary; he is now facing Tkzayik in November.
Expressing admiration for Rudy Giuliani’s leadership of New York City, Tkazyik proposed a three-tiered remedy for Poughkeepsie: decrease crime with more police on the street, reduce taxes and encourage development to bring jobs.
Knapp called for narrowing the gap between rich and poor and expanding services. Goals cited included improving public transportation, addressing affordable housing needs and improving schools. The latter, he said, was a “challenge that can’t and should not just be left to the school system.”
In posing their questions to candidates, Poughkeepsie’s business leaders wanted to know how Knapp and Tkazyik would attract businesses to the city. What did the candidates think of the renovation of the Luckey Platt building, widely regarded as key to revitalization, and how could Poughkeepsie get its own major supermarket?
Both candidates promised business-friendly policies. Tkazyik, the minority leader from the 3rd Ward of the city’s Common Council and manager of family owned restaurant Andy’s Place, called for making City Hall more welcoming for developers and slashing bureaucratic red tape.
Knapp, a sales executive and longtime Dutchess County legislator representing the City of Poughkeepsie, said he would consider business improvement districts, a public/private partnership in which property and business owners cooperate on maintenance, development and promotion. Red tape was disparaged by Knapp, as well.
On Luckey Platt, Knapp said he’d gleaned from media reports that “someone dropped the ball relative to inspections,” but added it was a “mistake to point fingers.” The city should move forward by setting a timetable and adhering to it, he said.
After renovations on the 19th century building, the 100,000 square-foot structure at Main and Academy streets will contain more than 130 apartments.
Tkazyik pledged to make sure inspectors work with contractors on the Luckey Platt project. He called the status unfortunate – a stop-work order is in effect – and said, “It did not have to fall this way.”
“Let’s get the job done and let’s get things moving in the Luckey Platt project,” Tkazyik said.
Residents of the city have long called for the need for a supermarket to serve existing residents in the city center and attract more people.
“We need a supermarket,” said Tkazyik, who blamed crime, in part, for past failed attempts. Improving those crime rates with more police on the beat has been central to his platform.
Knapp said a specialty chain that focused on urban communities were the way to go.
Questioning Knapp’s voting record on the county sales tax, Tkazyik put his opponent on the defensive during his closing remarks. Knapp voted against an extension of the tax at its 3.75 percent level last month – he has said that the regressive sales tax hurts low-income people.
But Knapp turned the tables on the GOP – citing Republican County Executive William Steinhaus’ budget proposal for a double-digit property tax increase. He also said Wednesday that the city should insist upon a greater share of sales tax revenue from the county, which divvies it among municipalities.