Experience
Having developed an expertise in the technical aspects of municipal finance and community development for my doctoral research, I accepted an appointment as Director of Research and Technical Assistance in the New York State Office of Community Development in the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR, now HCR). The responsibilities of this position included:
- Direct all research, information technology and technical assistance functions for low-income housing assistance program administered by the Office of Community Development;
- Supervise a staff of eight permanent employees and up to twenty temporary employees;
- Prepare office budgets, draft policy and procedures manuals, and file reports to the Legislature;
- Measure and evaluate program outputs, analyze policy options, and design and implement program instruments;
- Coordinate the Office of Community Development’s transition to an automated information system for accounting, management and reporting;
- Write requests for proposals (RFPs), select and supervise consultants;
- Draft planning documents, including a Five-Year Preservation Plan to mitigate the effects of the Time Square Redevelopment Project on the residential neighborhood of Clinton (‘Hell’s Kitchen’).
- Edit and co-author a comprehensive user’s manual for developers of low-income housing projects.
Background
Returning to academia after twelve years with New York State, I accepted an appointment as a full time Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Skidmore College. In that position I taught courses in politics and government, religion, kinship and family organization, social theory, and Native American studies. In 1997 I was the commencement speaker at the Skidmore graduation, an honor bestowed by the senior class on their favorite professor. I have also taught as a full time Visiting Professor at Connecticut College and as an adjunct instructor at the University at Albany. My academic research and writing have focused on the processes of local government, community development, and political conflict. I have conducted field studies in New York City, Cork and Kilkenny, Ireland and Belfast, Northern Ireland and have published scholarly articles in academic journals, books and monographs. I have presented numerous papers at meetings of professional associations.
Recent Work
In recent years I worked as a freelance technical writer while writing a book analyzing the cultural history of the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland. For six years I was employed as a reporter for Empire Information Services in Albany, New York reporting for local newspapers on Rensselaer County town, planning, zoning and school boards. In this capacity I regularly reported on East Greenbush town, school, planning and zoning boards as well as boards in North Greenbush, Pittstown, Schodack, Nassau, Poestenkill, Brunswick, Hoosick Falls, and Rensselaer.
Local Work
While attending East Greenbush Town Board meetings I became concerned with the narrow focus of town politics; this led to a decision to become more personally involved. In 2010, I was appointed to the Town’s Board of Ethics. In 2011, I was elected Chairperson of that Board, and along with the four other original members, helped draft the Town’s Code of Ethics. I have worked tirelessly to create an effective system for monitoring ethical conduct among town officials in East Greenbush and have been disappointed in the lack of commitment to this process shown by the current and previous administrations. In 2014, I joined the grassroots movement to convince the State Gaming Commission that a casino would irrevocably damage the quality of life in East Greenbush and change a community of friends and neighbors into a town full of strangers. I composed the rationale for opposing the casino and edited the 509-page submission made by Save East Greenbush to the Facilities Location Board.
Strengths
As you can see, I’m not a politician although I have extensive experience in the public sector and in researching, teaching and writing on the subject of politics and community development. I’m extremely well-versed in issues facing the Town. My management experience includes the preparation of budgets and the supervision of staff in a civil service environment. I know how to analyze policy options and measure the effectiveness of government operations. I have managed consulting contracts and have extensive experience writing policy and procedure manuals. I understand the process of automating important government functions, and have real world experience with planning and development. I know how to be decisive and take responsibility for the decisions I make. Perhaps most importantly, I recognize that ethical conduct is not a campaign promise but a way of life.