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Regional solutions are pro-business and pro-taxpayer Every year when the Business First PAC meets to interview candidates, it asks a question about whether or not they support regional solutions to local challenges. In particular, regional solutions make the most sense from a business perspective when dealing with large infrastructure projects. These initiatives are often the most costly and are those which if done regionally can offer benefits to more people and more communities. While the PAC's primary mission is to support pro-business candidates, it does also have the ability to promote and advertise policy initiatives or recommendations championed by the business community. That is the case right now with respect to the City of Glens Falls and the proposal to spend $20 million to fix the City's 5 dams. Business leaders in the region see this as an opportunity to advocate for a regional solution that may be a win-win for the City as well as surrounding communities. With this in mind, the PAC recently sent a notice to City taxpayers - - both residents and businesses - - who stand to see the largest water rate increases if the City chooses to "go it alone" once again. The PAC is joining with other business leaders in the community requesting local support for a summit on this important issue. The summit should include City leaders, elected officials from surrounding towns in Warren, Washington and Northern Saratoga Counties, Congresswoman Gillibrand, Senator Little, Assemblywoman Sayward, Assemblyman McDonald, and the DEC. The summit should be designed to see if there is an opportunity renew local interest and perhaps additional state support for fixing the dams as part of a larger regional plan to provide our region with a safe, abundant and redundant supply of water for years to come at the best price for everyone.
The PAC's Mission The process: The Business First PAC has set up an interview committee comprised of local business owners and managers from a diverse set of local companies in Warren County. Representing large and small firms from the manufacturing, tourism, legal, financial, health care, and retail sectors, the members of the interview committee met with candidates for local office and asked them a series of questions to evaluate their philosophy and positions on key issues of concern to local job creators. In addition to these interviews, the committee reviewed the experience and expertise of the candidates and their public statements or votes on key employer issues. Through these interviews and research, the Business First PAC will be able to identify and publicly support those candidates judged to be pro-business. The rationale: There's an old saying that "the world is run by those who show up." By forming the Business First PAC and conducting this interview and endorsement process, the region's business community now intends to "show up" in an unprecedented fashion to urge the election of pro-business candidates. This effort is designed to bring about a change in the way our government does business and to ensure that this region has the leadership required to expand economic opportunity now and well into the future. This effort is being undertaken with the knowledge that to improve our region's quality of life requires a balanced approach to development that encourages the creation of new opportunities for those who want to live and work right here in this region. While we may be looking to identify and support pro-business candidates, this is being done so that our government may become more responsive to it's customers, better prepared to lead the charge for smart growth, and managed in a more efficient and taxpayer-friendly manner. Get Involved: If you are interested in supporting the mission of the Business First PAC, we want to urge you to send a contribution by check to the Business First PAC, PO Box 158, Glens Falls, NY, 12801. Please know that contributions to the Business First PAC are NOT considered charitable for tax-purposes. The interview committee and the Business First PAC reserve the right to make all final decisions as to how contributions are spent in keeping with the mission of supporting pro-business candidates for local office. PAC Announces Endorsements for 2007October 9, 2007 - The Business First Political Action Committee today announced that it has endorsed Fred Champagne, Bill Van Ness, Bill Mason and Matt Sokol for the four at-large seats on the Warren County Board of Supervisors representing the Town of Queensbury. For the Queensbury Town Board, the PAC has endorsed: Anthony Metivier, in Ward 1; Tim Brewer, in Ward 4; Sharon Borgos, in Ward 3; and Ron Montesi, in Ward 2. According to Dwayne Zuhlke, the PAC’s Chairman, the Business First PAC was formed by area business leaders in 2003 so that the business community could speak out in support of pro-business candidates particularly at the local and county level during elections. “We work hard to determine which of the candidates are pro-business which in our opinion means that they support reducing taxes and solving local challenges regionally through shared services and better cooperation,” said Zuhlke. “We base our endorsement decisions on interviews with the candidates where we discuss a range of business and economic issues as well as a review of their votes or public positions on key business issues. Whether or not a candidate seeking our endorsement has ever owned, operated or managed a business is also an important consideration that we consider in our evaluation process.” According to Dwayne Zuhlke, the PAC’s Chairman, the organization is still scheduling interviews with a wide range of candidates for office that will appear on the ballot this November. The organization met with Mr. Taylor, Mr. Caimano and Mr. Kenny in August. “Bud’s commitment to reduce property taxes and to promote inter-municipal cooperation really made a positive impression with us during his interview,” added Zuhlke. “He will bring a regional approach to problem solving and to enhance the communication that must go on between the Board, the Mayor and the Common Council. The fact is that Bud has also been a successful business person and he understands the challenges we face.” “Nick Caimano impressed us with his genuine desire to utilize the position of Treasurer as an advocate of the taxpayer and a resource to the Board of Supervisors,” said Zuhlke. “The Business First PAC believes that Nick will take undertake new initiatives and help lead our County in a more fiscally conservative taxpayer friendly manner.” “Bill Kenny has received our PAC’s endorsement every year since we’ve been interviewing candidates because of his strong opposition to increasing the County’s sales and property taxes,” said Zuhlke. “The business community enjoys a strong working relationship with Mr. Kenny and his leadership on the County Board as a pro-business advocate is greatly appreciated.”
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