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Seward runs for 12th term on strong record

By Billie Dunn

CATSKILL — On Nov. 4 state Sen. James Seward will be vying for the 51st Senate District seat — again. Seward, a 20-year veteran of public service, was first elected to the Senate in 1986, and he’s been there ever since.

“I think my strong suit is that I’ve fully immersed myself in the needs and concerns of Greene County,” said Seward, who added that when he and his staff are not in Albany, they travel throughout the sprawling seven-county district.

“We’ve tried to be in constant touch and bring the needs and concerns of people in this area to the highest level of government,” he said, “If you ask my wife, she’d say we’re never home.”

Seward, an Otsego County native, attended Oneonta public schools, and graduated Hartwick College earning a bachelor’s degree in political science, later he studied at Nelson Rockefeller Institute at SUNY Albany, and in 1999 Hartwick College honored Seward with an honorary doctor of laws degree. He is a former Milford town justice and a former chairman of the Otsego County Republican Committee. He was a delegate to the 1976, 1980 and 1988 Republican National Conventions, and an alternate delegate in 1996.

As a senator, Seward was appointed in 1986 as the chairman of the State Energy and Telecommunications Committee, in 1999 he became the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Insurance, and in 2007 he was asked by Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno to assume a key post in the senate leadership team as majority whip. Seward also served as the chairman of the Senate Task Force on State and Local Emergency Preparedness following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C.

When Greene County became a part of Seward’s district in 2002 he immediately began working with county and local leaders.

“We’ve worked with local libraries, school districts, fire departments and governments,” he said, “I take a lot of pride working with the Greene IDA and others.”

Earlier this week Seward, in partnership with the IDA and local leaders, announced $300,000 in funding for the intersection of Routes 9W, 81 and 385 in the Town of Coxsackie. The improvements are crucial as the area prepares for economic development along the 9W corridor.

“I think we can be very proud of the efforts here in Greene County,” said Seward, who noted that the IDA and the legislature have been very involved in responsible economic development, “I think they’re aggressive and focused,” he said.

The 51st Senate District is sprawling, and though there isn’t a lot of interaction between Seward’s constituents, he said their concerns are similar.

“The themes are common — property tax relief, energy costs, a need for jobs and concerns about the economy,” said Seward.

According to Seward, 20 percent of the state’s revenue comes from Wall Street, so when Wall Street is doing poorly, the state is doing poorly.

“At times like this everyone has to tighten their belts, and the state should be no exception. Shifting the responsibility onto the backs of local governments will only aggravate our property tax issues,” he said, “There are huge challenges right now, and it’s going to be a bumpy ride, but I see some huge opportunities, too.”

Seward plans on cutting the state budget to bring it in line with revenues, likened high property taxes to a tsunami that has hit New York state, and said that New York can be a leader in alternative fuels. He plans to address these issues and more if he is re-elected.

“I think Greene County can be very proud of its efforts, and I think we’ve seen results,” said Seward. “When I look at the other six counties in my district, I think Greene County is ahead of the curve.”

To reach reporter Billie Dunn, please call 518-943-2100 ext. 3323 or e-mail bdunn@thedailymail.net

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