On Tuesday Jan. 22, newly inaugurated Mayor of Poughkeepsie John C. Tkazyik sat down for a unique interview which attempts to explore a more personal side of the second-youngest mayor in Poughkeepsie’s history. Rather than focus solely on his political stance, this interview attempts to paint a more intimate portrait of the man at the helm of the Queen City of the Hudson. The question-and-answer session follows, with some funny, some absurd, and some serious questions for Poughkeepsie’s 28-year-old mayor.
The simple facts:
Q: What is your favorite color?
A: Red. Most people will say it’s because I’m Republican (laughing), but really, it’s because of my Polish and Italian heritages.
Q: Where is the furthest place you’ve traveled from Poughkeepsie?
A: Florida, on family trips. I’ve never been out of the country.
Q: What kind of car do you drive?
A: Cadillac STS/ Black.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Pasta.
Q: Which church do you attend?
A: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. I went Mt. Carmel School until third grade, then St. Peter’s through eighth grade and Our Lady of Lourdes for high school.
Q: And college?
A: Dutchess Community College for two years, and Marist, where I graduated with a B.A. in psychology and special ed I wanted to be a teacher.
Q: What was your favorite subject in school?
A: History/Social studies.
Entertainment/sports:
Q: Do you have a favorite television show?
A: It’s a little too wild right now to watch T.V. (laughing).
Q: What book are you currently reading?
A: Rudy Guiliani’s “Leadership” – It blends you into taking on a leadership role, and how he dealt with certain issues.
Q: Do you have a favorite band or musician?
A: I’m a big polka fan. I enjoy the customs and traditions of all that, and of course, I like Sinatra.
Q: What is the last movie you saw?
A: Charlie Wilson’s War – which deals with the issues of the Middle East, Tom Hanks is in it, and yes, I also saw Alvin and the Chipmunks (laughing).
Q: Can you dance?
A: Yes … polka, swing, slow dance … I love dancing.
Q: Favorite artist?
A: Local? Gary Hoff’s work.
Q: Do you play any instruments?
A: No, but I’ve attempted the trumpet and the drums.
Q: What’s your favorite sport?
A: Well, I played basketball and baseball in school, and I’ve attended all kinds of games at Marist.
Q: Can you swim?
A: Yes, we have a pool, but I won’t go in the ocean. I’ll go to the beach, but I won’t go in the ocean.
Q: Why?
A: It’s too big, and has too many stories – I like knowing what’s under me.
Q: Do you have a MySpace or a Facebook account?
A: No, that’s too dangerous if you’re in politics. I’m lucky I know how to check e-mail, (laughing) but I do have a Web site though: www.johntkazyik.com.
Up-close and personal:
Q: Use three adjectives to describe yourself.
A: Dependable, concerned, hard-working.
Q: What is your girlfriend’s name?
A: Sarah. We’ve been together for two-and-a-half years.
Q: Where did you meet?
A: Actually, at a polka dance. I knew her family, and got to know her through these dances – we’re both Polish.
Q: Describe the perfect date.
A: Maybe out to a nice dinner, followed by a movie, and hanging out afterward together or even with family and friends – I’m a homebody.
Q: Marriage?
A: (smiling) We’re not engaged yet.
Moving on…
Q: Do you have any pets?
A: Yes, we have a schnauzer named Lady and a Yorkie named Peggy.
Q: Where do you get your groceries?
A: Price Chopper or Shop Right usually, gotta’ look for the specials, but what I’d like to do is bring a supermarket to downtown Poughkeepsie. It would make things more convenient.
Q: Describe one important lesson your father taught you.
A: He always taught me to take the high road, and be the bigger person despite disputes or disagreements, and always to be myself.
Q: Describe one important lesson your mother taught you.
A: To be the person who I am and to always remember where you came from, to be respectful and mindful of others and truthful with myself.
Aspirations and changes:
Q: If you could only make one change to the City of Poughkeepsie, what would it be?
A: I’d like to make it safer for people to walk the streets at night. Making Poughkeepsie safer will attract businesses, people staying here and development.
Q: What are some of the major issues you face during your term?
A: Creating more development (especially on Main street with the empty retail space), tackling crime, working with the schools to make them better places (sharing services), re-negotiating the sales tax agreement between the county and the city, the Lucky Platt project, and completing phase II of the waterfront development, controlling spending and making Poughkeepsie more affordable, re-establish the charter commission to look at the way we operate today, and to prepare how we operate tomorrow.
Q: Any last comments you’d like to add?
A: Well, for a city of this size, I think it’s time for Poughkeepsie to have a full-time mayor. Presently, it’s a part-time, $25,000 per-year position. I also look forward to working with the Common Council. I know what it’s like to serve; having been on the council for six years, I understand the issues and complaints. We may not agree all the time, but we’re in it for the best interest of the citizens.