NEWS PRESS RELEASE {For Immediate Release}
Democrat Benzie Johnson to Run for Albany County Executive
in November's Election As A Write-In Candidate
Monday, July 11, 2011
10:00 am
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I am publicly and formally announcing that I am running for Albany County Executive in November's General Election as a write-in candidate. One of my issues is Abandoned Buildings throughout the County of Albany. Although I understand there are several levels of government laws that need to be adhered to, I believe that Albany County can be the catalyst of change in this area, starting with changing county laws regarding the time frame for the County to step in. I will also work in conjunction with the state level in revising state tax laws and their time frames, as well as city government, so that every level of government can start the rehabilitation process that much faster. Blighted conditions are a symptom of neglect that gets passed on to the County and due to certain laws, the blight only continues on. I will eradicate blighted conditions, by putting everyone to work on our County's housing stock, roads and beautification of those areas. My administration's plans will cut through the red-tape. Revised laws are the necessary components that will help eradicate the issue of blight and at the same time provide necessary jobs to those who would like to work in their county.
Another one of my issues is wasteful spending. "Demolition by Neglect" is a form of wasteful spending, since your tax dollars could have been put to use for other under supplied services that directly affect you, if they had been efficient in preventative maintenance methods. The residents need to look at the fact that the problems are not being corrected, and one opponent just wants to shift the problems from the city level up to the county level, at the expense & peril of the residents who want to or need to live here.
As Albany County Executive I will address the issues the county residents need addressed, not the political agenda of a political party, political group or politically connected union. I am the only true candidate who will do right by the residents, ensuring their safety and well-being come first, not their wallets. My Administration will transform how Albany County operates, by establishing new levels of standards for a functional, uncorrupted county government and by demanding a level of performance in service that will meet the residents expectations and exceed them. I am not, and will not be part of the status quo.
