Plattsburgh's mayoral candidates outline plans for city

PLATTSBURGH - Democratic Mayoral candidate Chris Rosenquest recently outlined his plans for the city, drawing criticism from the campaign of Republican candidate Scott Beebie. In a press release, Team Beebie said it was little more than a "spreadsheet" and would amount to more of the same for Plattsburgh. However, Rosenquest said if he becomes mayor he will be bringing transparency to the office which has been lacking over the past years. After defeating incumbent Democratic Mayor Colin Read in the primary, he said he's confident that he can be the change Plattsburgh is looking for. "One thing that we want to make sure that voters understand is that it's time for a plan," he said. "We need to - as a community - move out of this political rhetoric." With candidates often saying they will work with the Town of Plattsburgh and keep the office transparent, Rosenquest said it's time to actually do it. "We want voters to start demanding of elected officials: 'How are you going to do that?'" Besides the need for more transparency in local government, he said it was important to focus on affordable housing and transportation options. For many workers in the area, their only choice is to rent outside the city limits and commute in. To grow the city, it's important to explore housing options closer to the city center. Titled "A Plan For Plattsburgh," Rosenquest said affordable housing could come from "zombie" properties that are either repurposed or demolished to make way for new construction. "Taking that property that [was] once a zombie property, rehabilitating it and either renting it as low-income housing - affordable housing - or selling it back to the market so that that it becomes taxable property [is] really key." Citing a 3% or lower occupancy rate in the city, he said Plattsburgh is experiencing a housing crisis. Destination Plattsburgh The destination master plan is also outlined as an important way to bring revenue into the city. After reeling from unprecedented revenue losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rosenquest said it was important to fully utilize Plattsburgh as a destination for history lovers and vacationers alike. With the border closure most likely extending throughout the fall, it will be more important than ever for the city to bring tourism to the area going forward. Beebie, who retired from the Plattsburgh City Police Department after 28 years on the force, said many of the points in the plan had been appropriated from his own early campaign. On the matter of making Plattsburgh a travel destination, though - Beebie wholeheartedly agrees. A self-proclaimed "history freak," he said it will be important to reignite a passion for Plattsburgh's history going forward. Beebie said the major difference between himself and his opponent is that he will be coming to the office with years of experience and connections. While Rosenquest would have to work on establishing those same connections, he said he can hit the ground running should he be elected - focusing on redeveloping downtown and strengthening partnerships with neighboring municipalities. "[I'm bringing] 29 years of knowledge of working hand-in-hand with the municipal leaders and department heads in the City of Plattsburgh," he said. "I love this town. I grew up here, I was educated here, went to school here, married here - raised my family here. My extended family goes back generations. I bring a love and commitment to this community that nobody else has." When asked if there was anything, in particular, he would focus on building in the community - Beebie said in pre-COVID times the answer would be much different. The priority now is stabilizing the economy and rebuilding the city even better in the wake of the pandemic. "That goes back to the unknown future. It's hard to answer that question when we don't know what tomorrow looks like. Sure, if this was an anti-pandemic year and everything was status quo, I'd have a better answer. I can only tell you I don't do anything 50%. I'm all in. If I'm successful in November, they're going to get somebody in City Hall that's all in - that's 110% - in love with this community and going to give you the best job I possibly can." For more information on the City of Plattsburgh Mayoral Race, check out our next edition for Part 2 of our interviews with Democratic candidate Chris Rosenquest and Republican Scott Beebie.

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Plattsburgh's mayoral candidates outline plans for city

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