26/10/2023
Tamar Martin is the unopposed Republican Nominee for Mechanicville Commissioner of Finance
I’m a native of upstate NY, born and raised about an hour from Mechanicville. I grew up with a deep appreciation for the quality of life in my close-knit community. I studied in Japan for a year as a Rotary Exchange Student. This experience further shaped my views on duty and service to others. I graduated from Albany College of Pharmacy with a Baccalaureate degree, and followed with my Doctorate just a year later. I’ve cared for my community professionally for over 23 years, and served on medical missions to Haiti and Guatemala. I’m an officer in the Mechanicville-Stillwater Lions Club. While I’m a cancer survivor and unable to have children of my own, I have two step-children and 4 wonderful grandchildren. I live on Tallmadge Place with my husband, Ray, and an elderly rescue cat. I enjoy travel, kayaking, boating, cards, and spending time with our family and friends. I love living in Mechanicville, and hope to serve my community, and build a future of growth and prosperity.
I’m running for Commissioner of Finance because I feel there are urgent concerns in the City of Mechanicville that need to be addressed. We need to develop a forward thinking plan that improves infrastructure, supports businesses, and provides the services our residents need. Equally important is the need to improve communication so the public has the tools to ensure government is working for us all.
My work and educational experiences make me well suited to serving as commissioner of finance. Accuracy and attention to detail are essential both in pharmacy and in finance. As an intern for then-assemblyman Paul Tonko, and in a doctoral rotation working for the NYS Board of Pharmacy, I learned to read, interpret, and develop laws, policies and procedures. As a student I did pharmaco-economic analyses for the state agency OMRDD, and for MVP health plan. I have specialized training in research and data analysis, which will help me make the most cost effective decisions with tax dollars. Equally important are communication and leadership. I won a national competition of communication skills for pharmacists. My ability to compassionately listen and effectively explain will help me keep the public well informed and meaningfully involved in local government. In my pharmacy career I lead diverse teams in highly stressful environments where cooperation is essential for success. I believe these experiences will help me support other commissioners and cultivate consensus to move Mechanicville forward.
The biggest issue facing Mechanicville is the lack of a plan to move forward. Decisions need to be made with a sense of purpose, and with clear goals in mind, so each decision builds on the last. We need long term planning to address the big issues of infrastructure and strategic development. We have a comprehensive plan, but very little has been done with that plan in the last twenty years. Now, our infrastructure is crumbling with no clear path to repair it. Mechanicville will thrive only if we secure basic services like water and sewer.
I want a lot for our city. My biggest goal for Mechanicville is to revive the comprehensive plan and use it as a framework for updating infrastructure. Last year we lost 47% of the water we purify to unbillable losses, such as fire fighting, hydrant flushing, and water main breaks. The typical range should be 12-18%. By investing in repairing our water system we’ll actually save money in the long run. But, such repairs are costly and have to be spread out over time. Big projects like this require organization and planning.
I also want to improve transparency and make it easier for the public to understand government. With better communication, I believe community involvement will increase. The public should have more of a say in how our tax dollars are spent. We deserve a truly representative government.
Another goal I have is to support the development of the Riverside Center, located in the old high school. After I am elected, I hope to meet with the new owner to find out how the city can work with them to create an environment that encourages optimal development, and revitalizes the city.
Many of the projects and goals I have for the city are costly. Mechanicville needs to actively pursue state and federal grants to help fund these needed improvements. We’re only one square mile, with and aging population, and a high proportion of renters. We need to look for other sources of revenue to help fund projects for the city, and not just place the burden on taxpayers. I will actively pursue grant opportunities on the taxpayers’ behalf.
