John Mancini's Interview With The Milton Spotlight Newspaper

Spotlight Voter Guide Questionnaire—Town of Milton Town Board Candidates 2009

•Name:

John Mancini


•Age:

32


•Political affiliation:

Endorsed candidate of the Republican, Independence and Conservative Parties


•Occupation:

Counsel, New York State Conference of Mayors


•Work experience:

Training Director, NYS Commission on Public Integrity
Counsel, NYS Governor’s Office of Appointments

•Areas of community involvement (outside of any official town duties):

I serve on the Village of Ballston Spa Planning Board and was chairman of the Ballston Spa Bicentennial Committee in 2007. I was born and raised in the Village of Ballston Spa and have been involved in many other community groups including the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association and serve on the Northeast Health Foundation Board.


•Please summarize your platform.

As counsel for the NYS Conference of Mayors and former Training Director for the NYS Commission on Public Integrity, I have a thorough understanding of municipal government. My specialty is the issue of government ethics and I have proposed a detailed program to bring Milton’s ethics code into the 21st Century. As a fiscal conservative and homeowner raising two young sons in Milton, I also believe it is crucial to keep our town family-friendly and affordable by keeping taxes low, controlling spending and taking a proactive approach to new challenges and opportunities.

•Why do you want to sit on the Town Board?

With the recent groundbreaking for AMD/Global Foundries, our area is headed into a new era of development. Our town will face many challenges and opportunities in the coming years. I have the vision, energy and desire to take on these challenges proactively so that development happens on our terms.

•How do you see the role of a board member?

Local elected officials are the closest to the people and must be diligent, thorough and connected. If the link between people and their local officials doesn’t work, then the links to county, state and federal officials won’t work either. I’ll stay connected and represent my constituents’ needs and concerns.

•Are there any areas of the town budget that can be reduced?

With the economy’s poor performance, it’s not just families feeling the pinch but also local governments. Our town is faring better than most but we should still prepare for possible future difficulties. If elected, I will sit down with my fellow town officials to identify where we can trim costs.

•How would you/have you encouraged transparency in town government?

By maintaining open lines of communication with the public. I have run a person-to-person campaign. I give voters my personal e-mail address and cell phone number. My door is always open. That is how I will serve if elected.

•If elected, what would you like to see changed in the Town of Milton and how do you plan to achieve it?

We should be a model town for government ethics. I have proposed a comprehensive reform plan including updating our town’s Ethics Code, automatically reviewing the code every four years, requiring ethics training for all town employees and officials and providing employees with confidential ethics advice if they need guidance.

•What do you consider to be problem areas in Milton and how would you like to see them fixed?

As indicated in the previous question, we should do more to make Milton a regional model for government ethics and I have proposed an ethics plan. In light of the weak economy, we must also keep taxes low and cut unnecessary spending so we’re prepared for any future budgetary challenges.

Mancini's Support Transcends Party Lines

I am writing to express my support for John Mancini as he runs for Milton Town Council. I have gotten to know John over the past few years serving as counsel with him for the Conference of Mayors, and I can wholeheartedly say that a vote for John Mancini is a vote for progress in the Town of Milton. John is, without a doubt, one of the most ethical professionals that I have encountered, and his desire and passion for accountability in local government is exactly what Milton needs.

As an unaffiliated young professional, I oftentimes find myself disenfranchised from the political climate. However, John Mancini is a breath of fresh air that will bring vitality not only to the Republican party but to Milton as a whole, as his integrity transcends party lines. Please join me in voting for John Mancini for Milton Town Council on November 3rd.

Sincerely,

Katie O'Neill
Town of Milton Resident

"Mancini has great respect for the position he is seeking"

As a young professional raising my family in the town of Milton, I’m excited about the potential that Milton has to become an even better place to live. However, with opportunity comes great responsibility, which is why I am supporting John Mancini for Town Council.

Like John, I have a young family that my wife and I are raising here in Milton. We appreciate Milton’s safe, quiet and wholesome atmosphere, but recognize that Milton is poised for considerable growth, which is why we need sensible and considerate leadership at Town Hall.

John has the experience, skills and vision to shepherd our town through an exciting time. He shares my family values, has great respect for the elected position he is seeking and will represent us with integrity in all town business.

It is important to remember that elections have consequences, and this election is no different. Milton is at a critical juncture and a vote for John Mancini for Town Council is a prudent investment in our town’s future. I invite you to join me on Nov. 3 in supporting John.

Travis Wattie, Ballston Spa

An Ethics Plan For Milton's Future

With shovels going into the ground recently at the Global Foundries site, there can be no doubt that significant changes are on the way for this area. To ensure those changes are positive opportunities for growth; it’s going to take commitment on the part of our elected officials and a real vision for the future. An important part of creating that solid foundation is ensuring good, ethical local government.

As the former Director of Training for the New York State Commission on Public Integrity and now Counsel for the New York State Conference of Mayors, I have had the opportunity to travel New York State and train thousands of public officials and municipal employees on the myriad of laws, rules and regulations which make up our State’s ethics laws.

One common theme in all of the hundreds of ethics training sessions I have taught is that the vast majority of public servants are honest, hard-working employees and officials who want to do the right thing for their community.

Often municipal ethics codes are out of date. Milton’s ethics code is no different. It’s outdated, vague and in need of significant revisions.

As a candidate for Milton Town Council this year, I am proposing an ethics plan that will modernize Milton’s ethics code and put our town on the right path for the future.

First, I propose a mandatory revision of our town’s ethics code. Many changes have taken place in our Town since the code was last updated and it must reflect that changes are occurring. In addition to a mandatory revision, I propose that the code require review and revision every four years to determine whether modifications are necessary. By instituting a mandatory revision policy, we ensure that the ethics code will not just sit on the shelf and collect dust.

Second, I propose mandatory ethics training for all town officials and employees every two years. In my work around the state, I have found that most public officials have never received ethics training. As a town, we must do better and make sure that those who are placed in positions of public trust know and understand the standards for which they will be held accountable. As part of the new hire process, all employees of the town should receive a copy of the ethics code and sign an affirmation that they have read, understand and will abide by its provisions.

Finally, I propose implementing a process whereby public officials and employees can request and receive a timely confidential ethics advisory opinion in the event that they need guidance. This will nurture an environment in which local government employees can comfortably seek independent advice on how to meet their obligations to provide uncompromised public service.

By modernizing Milton’s ethics code and enacting these simple reforms, our town can lead the way by setting the standard at the local government level on ethics issues. Not only will that better prepare us for the future, but it will also give us a local government that is beyond reproach and will make all of our citizens proud.

"Milton Small Business Owners Support Mancini For Town Council"

As small business owners in the Town of Milton, we feel it is critical that elected officials are dedicated to improving the town’s economic climate. While we cannot vote in Milton elections because we live in the Town of Ballston, we believe a vote for John Mancini is in the best interest of this community.

New York State has put an undue strain on mom and pop shops such as ours. Small businesses generate sales tax, provide jobs to local residents and continue to play a large part in the revival of Ballston Spa’s downtown. John Mancini patronizes local businesses and recognizes that small businesses are a major contributor to the wellbeing of the Town of Milton.

Mancini supports policies that will attract and encourage the growth of successful small businesses in Milton. John’s commitment to efficient government will help keep Milton an affordable place to do business.

In these uncertain times it is especially important that we elect leaders who can help steer us to a more prosperous future. Please vote for John Mancini on Election Day.

Pete & Donna Martin
Owners of Village Photo, LLC
Ballston Spa

"Mancini is a proponent of improved access and communication between town government and its citizens"

John Mancini is running for councilman in the town of Milton and I would like to share my thoughts on why Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike can support him.

John has the right instincts for what Milton needs in the coming years. He is a champion of proactive planning for Milton’s town center and infrastructure improvements and understands that by planning ahead, the town will benefit from state and federal funding opportunities when they arise. Proactive planning is important now more than ever due to the expected impact of the chip plant being built in Malta.

Growing up in Milton and locating here with his young family, John understands the unique benefits of Saratoga County and the town of Milton, where local property taxes are among the lowest in the state. He understands the need for fiscal discipline, especially in an economy such the current one, and how it is important that town spending be kept in check.

His desire to look for opportunities to share expenses with other local governments is also important to keep taxes low. John is a proponent of improved access and communication between town government and its citizens.

By electing John to the town council, the citizens of Milton will benefit from his experience as counsel for the New York State Conference of Mayors. As counsel, John has found solutions to issues for municipalities across the state. He can use this connection when looking for solutions that will work best for Milton. It is rare that a candidate can bring such experience to an office in town government.

Finally, much has been said about the need to reform the ethics code for town employees over the past year. John’s experience in training municipal officials on ethics at the New York State Commission on Public Integrity and his detailed ethics plan will allow him to get started with the reforms once elected.

I hope citizens of Milton recognize John’s energy and drive to make a difference in our town and his experience and ability to get it done. I hope they will join me in voting for John Mancini Nov. 3.

Tom McKay, Ballston Spa

"Mancini will help keep taxes low and as a priority, he will make sure the town runs efficiently on a responsible budget"

I am writing to encourage town of Milton voters to support John Mancini for Town Council on Election Day. I have had the pleasure to get to know him over the years through his various roles in the community and government. Mancini is more than prepared to take on this new role in town government.

In New York, young professionals, like me, face uncertainties in available jobs, the cost of living and the high taxes. Fortunately, I have been able to stay in a community I love, but many of my friends have left the area because of these challenges. I know John can tackle these very issues in Milton.

In the coming year, Milton faces many changes that can become opportunities for prosperity. Mancini will prepare the town for economic and residential growth while maintaining the very qualities that attract businesses and families to this area.

As a fiscal conservative, Mancini will help keep taxes low. As a priority, he will make sure the town runs efficiently on a balanced and responsible budget.

Mancini understands the importance of government openness and ethics. I know his experience in this capacity will bring about the most significant positive changes to Milton government.

He has the talent and ability to help others understand the relevance of citizen participation in government. His approachability and sensitivity to resident concerns will only enhance the Town Board’s ability to respond effectively.

For these reasons, I urge all to vote for John Mancini for Milton Town Council.

Bernadette D. VanDeinse, Ballston Spa

"John is always fair and works for the best interest of the people of this town"

John Mancini is a Republican candidate for Councilman in the Town of Milton. I am writing this letter to let everyone know why I am supporting John as my candidate.

John Mancini has lived in the town of Milton all of his life. John graduated from Ballston Spa High School and went to college and became a lawyer. He has a wonderful wife and two beautiful children. John has a job in Albany working at the New York State Conference of Mayors.

I met John when he worked on my husband Richard Duffy’s campaign for village trustee. I had the pleasure of working with him after that when he was appointed by Mayor Romano as chairman of the 2007 Village of Ballston Spa’s Bicentennial Committee. It was then that I got to know what a good leader John is. He listens to people, takes suggestions, then makes decisions. John is always fair and works for the best interest of the people of this town. He will bring new ideas and work to make this town a better place to live.

So, join me in voting for John Mancini.

Donna Duffy, Ballston Spa

"Mancini a Champion of Milton's Families"

As a career-oriented mother and wife, it is important that I take a few moments to pay attention to the issues and events that can impact my family. This election cycle has me focused on the future of my family’s community. In looking at the various candidates seeking election to the Milton Town Council, one candidate stuck out — John Mancini.

John and his wife raise their wonderful young family here, as I do. He cares about my family and yours because the issues he and his family face are the same ones that we do. He represents the type of candidate that will bring new, dynamic leadership to the Milton Town Board. He has a long-term plan and commitment to Milton, and this is exactly what we need today.

It is hard enough to raise a family in today’s world, and I cannot afford to have our elected officials let me down. John won’t let us down.

I am impressed with John Mancini and encourage you to vote for him on Nov. 3. John has been endorsed by the Republican, Independence and Conservative parties. I am confident you will be as impressed as I am.

Amy Durant, Milton