Brackman holds positions with the Jamestown City Council’s Housing and Public Works committees and is a board member of the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities. Reedy, owns and operates several businesses on Second Street to including Elite Creations, an auto detailing service company, U-Haul rentals and various other service-based businesses. Reedy is also a military veteran.

Each candidate has been asked three questions pertaining to this year’s election by The Post-Journal.

Post-Journal: Is there one recurring theme you’re hearing from voters as you go door-to-door? How do you think the council can best address those voters’ issues?

Brackman: I am hearing mainly about issues related to the quality of life such as assistance with home repairs including roofs and structural repairs like steps and porches, minor home improvements and sidewalk replacements. Many residents have complaints pertaining to ordinance violations within their neighborhood like excess junk and debris on their neighbor’s property, loud music, and excessive noise after 10:00 p.m. I am hearing that there needs to be better communication from the Department of Development on funding opportunities available to the residents, many residents do not have access to a computer or the internet or even the knowledge of where to look for such information.

City Councilwoman Regina Brackman, the Democratic incumbent, is seeking reelection for the Jamestown City Council Ward 3 seat. Brackman sits on the Housing and Public Works committees for the city and is a board member of the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities.

There is a huge safety concern, many residents do not feel safe in their neighborhood and are reluctant to call the police in fear of retaliation. As a current Jamestown City Council member, we need to continue to support the efforts of the Department of Development as it relates to securing resources that can go into these neighborhoods and issue citations for violations, continue to support the efforts of the Jamestown Police Department, the addition of the nuisance officer has allowed many of these violators to be charged. They also can work with the Department of Development and other agencies that have funding available for the residents of Jamestown and establish a means for communicating and assisting the residents in securing funding to make needed repairs.

Reedy: Public safety is the number one thing I repeatedly hear brought up when I go door-to-door. I ask: Do you feel safer now than you did four years ago? The overwhelming response I’ve heard is, no! Let’s change that. Through better leadership, better communication, and above all; people before politics. The people have spoken. They want history making changes brought to this city. We must encourage the city residents to support the local police, fire and emergency services providers. We must also provide this important service with the financial resources for them to be successful.

Housing

Post-Journal: Homelessness, affordable housing, and code enforcement have long been identified as growing problems in the city. What actions do you think the city and the council should take to address these problems?

Brackman: I somewhat spoke to this question in my answer to the first question, homelessness. This is a condition that will require collaboration between the city and other entities such as churches or agencies that have the necessary resources and space to assist with helping this population. Affordable housing and code enforcement, again I will say we need to continue to support the efforts of the Department of Development as it relates to the 19A efforts and working with agencies such as the Land Bank to assist in the restoration of vacant properties and programs that can offer financial assistance to first time homeowners. As far as code enforcement is concerned, resources are now in place and personnel are being trained in this area, and hopefully we will see an improvement in the number of citations being issued. We are seeing an increase in the number of appearance tickets being issued and many cases are being handled through the court system.

Reedy: The Department of Development needs to be broken up into different departments. Housing and city development should not be one person’s responsibility. The head of development should then be focused on bringing business to the community and opening the city to the greater business world. The Department of Development should be working directly with the CCIDA to research all available funding sources for new housing opportunities. The state of New York has many opportunities for multiple housing units that the city needs to take advantage of. The Department of Development also needs to be responsive to the needs of each and every household to make sure that every homeowner maintains their property and make absentee landlord accountable. I believe the Dept. of Development must also resume the responsibility of home demolition in the city of Jamestown. We should not be using an outside vendor for these vital services.

Post-Journal: Economic Development: Eight buildings were identified as key redevelopment opportunities in the Urban Design Plan. Three of those parcels have found new tenants, while five are largely unchanged the Furniture Mart building, Viking building, Key Bank building, the former Craft World and Actions Hobbies building on Third Street and storefronts in the Hotel Jamestown. Are you satisfied with the progress made in the new futures for those buildings over the past five years and how can the council stimulate development in those areas?

Brackman: No, I am not satisfied. Many of the buildings are privately owned and the owners should be looking into, along with the city, in establishing viable development opportunities. The city and the Department of Development, I have mentioned this department in all my answers because they are a key department in city management. We need to continue to work with the Department of Development to help attract new developers. I will go back to my statement about the quality of life, development in general that offers opportunities for the residents whether it be social, or employment or starter business opportunities would assist with the growth of population by attracting citizens to move into and stay in the city of Jamestown. I will add this note, regarding the requirements of the City Council representative, there needs to be cohesive efforts made that are sensitive to the diverse community of Jamestown. There must be a sense of inclusion and receptiveness as they address the issues that come up through the Council.

Reedy: No, I my opinion, little progress has been made in five years on those properties. There is no easy way to get businesses to move into these buildings. I believe that the city government should develop a better relationship with the local vendors to create an atmosphere where both private and city funds can be allocated toward specific projects in the city. We also need to be more involved with the CCIDA (County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency) and make sure Jamestown is getting their fair share of development. Some options that should be considered are making the utilities cheaper and providing affordable housing. Lowering the cost to do business and encouraging citizens to come to the city and shop locally. This may not be a guarantee, however, time over it’s been shown that what’s best for the people is best for local business.