Published: February 22, 2008 12:25 pm         

VILLAGE ELECTIONS 2008: Riley's mind 'open'

ALBION — Like other village residents, Democratic trustee candidate Jeannette Riley seeks a stable community with a solid future.

A tall order, perhaps, but with a bit of open-minded teamwork and creative financing, it is possible, she says.

She doesn’t promise miracles, but she does promise to keep the best interests of the community — and the taxpayers — in mind during the decision-making process.

“I like problem solving and trying to look at the bigger picture, making sure everyone has the same goals in mind,” Riley said. “The end result is ... keeping our taxes low and having good services.”

As a trustee from 1986 to 1998 and town councilman from 2004 to 2008, Riley brings 16 years of public experience to the table. She chooses to serve because she has always been “community minded” and cares about what happens, she said.

Most of all, she wants to make sure she is getting the “best bang” for her buck.

“We count on each other to survive and do the right thing. This is my way to show the community we can work together. Our goals are the same,” Riley said. “Albion is a great community. Orleans County is a great community. We have something pretty unique. ... I’d like to see it stay that way.”

The 2008-09 village budget will be a top priority after the election and Riley would like to see the board streamline wherever possible, she said.

Consolidation between municipalities should be strongly researched and considered, she said, especially where services are currently duplicated. If it makes a dent, she is also in favor of freezing stipend raises for the four trustees and mayor.

Trustee Kevin Sheehan’s suggestion that the board work for $1 annually is something she would be willing to go along with, as long as the entire board agrees. She suggested there is a chance that dramatically lower pay could make the village seem “poor” or lend the impression that the village doesn’t value the trustees’ work.

“If you’re in the job to work for the benefit of the community, a salary is not a guiding point to get in there and do what you need to do,” she said. “If you’re committed, you want to do the best job for everyone.”

A serious look at health insurance costs and employee salaries could also help the budget, but there is only so much the board will be able to do, she said.

Riley suggests seeking outside water users to raise some revenue and engaging department heads in long-term capital planning so that the village can set aside money over time for specific projects. When necessary, capital campaigns to raise money for specific, large purchases could be an option, she said.

“I really want the village to be financially stable. I want to be able to make sure we’re acting in the best interest of the residents, spending the money appropriately,” Riley said. “(We) have to really look at the budget and see what we have to do to reduce costs and generate a stable fund balance for the village. I’d like for us to have a cushion. ... We have to look at how far we’ve extended ourselves. (There are) some situations you can’t plan for.”

Riley would also like to see the village plot out and get started on toward sewer and road repairs “so that we don’t back ourselves into a corner” when everything has to be fixed at once, she said.

An Albion resident since early childhood, Riley is the second oldest of 10 children. She graduated from Albion High School, earned a police and science degree from Onondaga Community College and a bachelor’s degree from New Mexico Mining and Technology. She has also taken some graduate courses in psychology and history.

For the past 33 years, Riley has worked in the Orleans County Probation Office, moving up from probation officer to supervisor. It is a job that allows her to empower troubled people so that they can take control of their lives, she said.

If there’s anything she has learned from her job, it is that “if you take things personally, you’re not going to be able to work.” Teamwork as a unified board, despite inevitable disagreements, is essential, she said.

The village community will elect two new trustees to replace Bruce Sidari and Michael Neidert, who have chosen not to run for re-election after four-year terms, on March 18. Riley’s Democratic running mate is Fred Miller; the Republican endorsed candidates are Ed Salvatore and John Daniels.

Contact reporter Nicole Colemanat 798-1400, ext. 2227.