George Primeau expected to announce candidacy for mayor of Cohoes
Published: Sunday, March 24, 2013
By Danielle Sanzone
[email protected]
Twitter.com/DanielleSanzone
COHOES — On Monday, George Primeau is planning to officially announce his candidacy
for mayor of the Spindle City.
Primeau took over the executive role when former mayor John McDonald was elected to the
108th state Assembly position, vacated by Ron Canestrari who is another former mayor of the
city. “I just like helping people,” said Primeau, a local business owner and long-time council member.
While at one point several Cohoes residents had expressed an interest to run for the mayoral seat,
Primeau said he has not heard of any competition so far. Though, there are a few who are eyeing the
Third Ward seat, currently held by Primeau. Among those discussed as possible Third Ward candidates
include Bill Ricard, an active member of the community.
Since assuming the role of mayor, Primeau has been assisted by executive assistant V. Mark Pascale, a
part-time guidance counselor with prior experience working for the city in his youth.
Primeau’s current mayoral salary is $35,000 and Pascale’s is $28,000, according to prior figures given by
the city comptroller.
Primeau said he has had his sons at the family-owned Primeau’s Auto Body shop take over more responsibility
at the business so he can spend more time with city matters.
The announcement regarding the special mayoral election is slated for noon at the Cohoes Senior Center.
for mayor of the Spindle City.
Primeau took over the executive role when former mayor John McDonald was elected to the
108th state Assembly position, vacated by Ron Canestrari who is another former mayor of the
city. “I just like helping people,” said Primeau, a local business owner and long-time council member.
While at one point several Cohoes residents had expressed an interest to run for the mayoral seat,
Primeau said he has not heard of any competition so far. Though, there are a few who are eyeing the
Third Ward seat, currently held by Primeau. Among those discussed as possible Third Ward candidates
include Bill Ricard, an active member of the community.
Since assuming the role of mayor, Primeau has been assisted by executive assistant V. Mark Pascale, a
part-time guidance counselor with prior experience working for the city in his youth.
Primeau’s current mayoral salary is $35,000 and Pascale’s is $28,000, according to prior figures given by
the city comptroller.
Primeau said he has had his sons at the family-owned Primeau’s Auto Body shop take over more responsibility
at the business so he can spend more time with city matters.
The announcement regarding the special mayoral election is slated for noon at the Cohoes Senior Center.
Cohoes considers waterfront park plan
Published: Monday, February 25, 2013
By Danielle Sanzone
[email protected]
Twitter.com/DanielleSanzone
Andy Raus from Bergmann Associates shows plans for the proposed waterfront
park on the Hudson River at Delaware Avenue in Cohoes (Jeff Couch / The Record)
COHOES — The city of Cohoes, through the use of a grant, is looking into
creating a waterfront park along the Hudson River that would be used for
non-motorized boats, a trailhead, and interpretive historic markers. But not
everyone is on board with the idea.
A public meeting was held Thursday to hash out ideas, concerns and comments
about the proposal for the 1.9 acre site that is adjacent to the Van Schaick Mansion
on Van Schaick Island along the Hudson River; it is known as the Shanahan property
since the family has owned the property for years.
City officials said this would be the only park in the city with waterfront access. Hart Park
is adjacent to water but residents are not able to access it due to a 20-foot drop, said director
of community and economic development Ed Tremblay.
Such a project has been discussed since 2000 when a small park was recommended along
Delaware Avenue as part of a Route 470 Corridor Study. The property was identified again in
2011 in the brownfield study, which found that a park had the potential to spur further development.
The intent is to also compliment the Van Schaick Mansion with a landscaped front riverfront lawn,
said Andy Raus, of Bergmann Associates which conducted the presentation Thursday before 40 area
residents.
Neighbors wanted to know if the site would be used for recreational motorized boating, which will likely
not occur since the focus is on non-motorized boats although emergency boats will have access to the water.
Common Councilman Ralph Signoracci, D-Ward 6, said he felt this was “putting the cart before the horse”
since the city does not own the property.
Tremblay said the Shanahan family did voice “minor concerns” but were receptive to the idea of selling the
property at market value. A family friend leases the property that currently has a small structure.
The city is using a $70,000 grant, from the state and the IDA, to look at the feasibility of the project, which
would include a small pavilion, amphitheatre, kayak access, a river overlook, an historic interpretive display,
and emergency vessel access. There would also be connecting trails.
There is a possibility of collecting revenue if the site were to be rented out for community events.
Some at the meeting said another park was not needed and would only cost the city in maintenance
and upkeep. “We have 14 parks in the city. I cannot see how another would be maintained,”
said Bill Ricard.
“It is more maintenance but that is why we have a summer crew,” said Mayor George Primeau.
A structure environmental assessment was done in 2012 with suspect material samples taken,
said Raus. An archaeological investigation that year identified Native American and 18th century
materials with the potential for additional deposits below two feet. With this in mind, development
on the site would not go below that 2-foot mark.
Previously, a hotel and huge theatre were proposed for the site.
The site is below the flood plain, which is partly why it is being looked at, Tremblay said, since other
development would be difficult and expensive.
“There are seven and a half miles of waterfront property in Cohoes, a city of four and a half square miles,
yet we do not have a park with water access,” said Tremblay.
He also noted at the meeting that the city is looking for a developer for a three-acre site near the 112th Street
Bridge for a waterfront boardwalk with retail space and eateries.
Danielle Sanzone may be reached at 270-1292.
[email protected]
Twitter.com/DanielleSanzone
Andy Raus from Bergmann Associates shows plans for the proposed waterfront
park on the Hudson River at Delaware Avenue in Cohoes (Jeff Couch / The Record)
COHOES — The city of Cohoes, through the use of a grant, is looking into
creating a waterfront park along the Hudson River that would be used for
non-motorized boats, a trailhead, and interpretive historic markers. But not
everyone is on board with the idea.
A public meeting was held Thursday to hash out ideas, concerns and comments
about the proposal for the 1.9 acre site that is adjacent to the Van Schaick Mansion
on Van Schaick Island along the Hudson River; it is known as the Shanahan property
since the family has owned the property for years.
City officials said this would be the only park in the city with waterfront access. Hart Park
is adjacent to water but residents are not able to access it due to a 20-foot drop, said director
of community and economic development Ed Tremblay.
Such a project has been discussed since 2000 when a small park was recommended along
Delaware Avenue as part of a Route 470 Corridor Study. The property was identified again in
2011 in the brownfield study, which found that a park had the potential to spur further development.
The intent is to also compliment the Van Schaick Mansion with a landscaped front riverfront lawn,
said Andy Raus, of Bergmann Associates which conducted the presentation Thursday before 40 area
residents.
Neighbors wanted to know if the site would be used for recreational motorized boating, which will likely
not occur since the focus is on non-motorized boats although emergency boats will have access to the water.
Common Councilman Ralph Signoracci, D-Ward 6, said he felt this was “putting the cart before the horse”
since the city does not own the property.
Tremblay said the Shanahan family did voice “minor concerns” but were receptive to the idea of selling the
property at market value. A family friend leases the property that currently has a small structure.
The city is using a $70,000 grant, from the state and the IDA, to look at the feasibility of the project, which
would include a small pavilion, amphitheatre, kayak access, a river overlook, an historic interpretive display,
and emergency vessel access. There would also be connecting trails.
There is a possibility of collecting revenue if the site were to be rented out for community events.
Some at the meeting said another park was not needed and would only cost the city in maintenance
and upkeep. “We have 14 parks in the city. I cannot see how another would be maintained,”
said Bill Ricard.
“It is more maintenance but that is why we have a summer crew,” said Mayor George Primeau.
A structure environmental assessment was done in 2012 with suspect material samples taken,
said Raus. An archaeological investigation that year identified Native American and 18th century
materials with the potential for additional deposits below two feet. With this in mind, development
on the site would not go below that 2-foot mark.
Previously, a hotel and huge theatre were proposed for the site.
The site is below the flood plain, which is partly why it is being looked at, Tremblay said, since other
development would be difficult and expensive.
“There are seven and a half miles of waterfront property in Cohoes, a city of four and a half square miles,
yet we do not have a park with water access,” said Tremblay.
He also noted at the meeting that the city is looking for a developer for a three-acre site near the 112th Street
Bridge for a waterfront boardwalk with retail space and eateries.
Danielle Sanzone may be reached at 270-1292.
Representation concerns arise in Cohoes as George Primeau about to take over as mayor
Sunday, December 23, 2012
By Danielle Sanzone
[email protected]
Twitter.com/DanielleSanzone
COHOES
Just days after current Mayor John McDonald gave his final State of the City speech,
some residents are questioning the legality of Common Council President George Primeau
becoming acting mayor on New Year’s Eve.
Both McDonald and Primeau said that there are “inconsistencies” in the charter but they are
following the precedent set by two other times when a mayor left office and the Common Council
president became acting mayor.
Along with this, there is a Catch 22, in that the Council president rises to the position of mayor. So, if
Primeau resigned from his position representing the 3rd Ward, he would not be eligible to then become
acting mayor, McDonald explained. “After reading different components of the charter, there are some
inconsistencies,” said McDonald, who is leaving the mayoral post to represent the 108th state Assembly
district.
He noted that there have been charter reviews in recent years, he was on that review committee in 1998 and
there was another in the last few years, but that specific part of the charter was not reviewed.
Bill Ricard, a Cohoes resident, pointed out in a letter addressed to McDonald and Primeau, “As a resident of the
Third ward, I am concerned that if the Common Council President is serving in an Acting Mayor capacity, how can
the Third ward have equal representation with the other five wards? Granted, a Mayor or an Acting Mayor in this case
oversees the entire corporation, however, I believe that we the residents of the Third ward can't be represented equally
in that scenario.”
Ricard also pointed out that a section of the charter states city elected officials cannot hold more than one office. C2-9.1:
"No person shall, at the same time hold more than one city office."
Primeau and McDonald referred to 1969 when the mayor passed away and Frank Colarutolo became acting mayor and
something similar happened again in 1988 when Fred Julian Jr. became acting mayor after Ron Canestrari was elected to
the state Assembly.
In those instances, no one was appointed to temporarily fill in as ward representative.
Both the current mayor and soon-to-be acting mayor said they did not plan to appoint a 3rd Ward Alderman. Instead,
Primeau will act as mayor in 2013 and run for the position in the November elections, when anyone will be able to also
run for the ward seat.
“All of the council members agree that this is the proper action,” said McDonald. He also said the city’s corporation counsel
agreed there were inconsistencies, but the only way to truly resolve this would be to hold a public referendum in November.
Greg Teresi, the city attorney, was unable to be reached for comment.
Danielle Sanzone may be reached at 270-1292.
some residents are questioning the legality of Common Council President George Primeau
becoming acting mayor on New Year’s Eve.
Both McDonald and Primeau said that there are “inconsistencies” in the charter but they are
following the precedent set by two other times when a mayor left office and the Common Council
president became acting mayor.
Along with this, there is a Catch 22, in that the Council president rises to the position of mayor. So, if
Primeau resigned from his position representing the 3rd Ward, he would not be eligible to then become
acting mayor, McDonald explained. “After reading different components of the charter, there are some
inconsistencies,” said McDonald, who is leaving the mayoral post to represent the 108th state Assembly
district.
He noted that there have been charter reviews in recent years, he was on that review committee in 1998 and
there was another in the last few years, but that specific part of the charter was not reviewed.
Bill Ricard, a Cohoes resident, pointed out in a letter addressed to McDonald and Primeau, “As a resident of the
Third ward, I am concerned that if the Common Council President is serving in an Acting Mayor capacity, how can
the Third ward have equal representation with the other five wards? Granted, a Mayor or an Acting Mayor in this case
oversees the entire corporation, however, I believe that we the residents of the Third ward can't be represented equally
in that scenario.”
Ricard also pointed out that a section of the charter states city elected officials cannot hold more than one office. C2-9.1:
"No person shall, at the same time hold more than one city office."
Primeau and McDonald referred to 1969 when the mayor passed away and Frank Colarutolo became acting mayor and
something similar happened again in 1988 when Fred Julian Jr. became acting mayor after Ron Canestrari was elected to
the state Assembly.
In those instances, no one was appointed to temporarily fill in as ward representative.
Both the current mayor and soon-to-be acting mayor said they did not plan to appoint a 3rd Ward Alderman. Instead,
Primeau will act as mayor in 2013 and run for the position in the November elections, when anyone will be able to also
run for the ward seat.
“All of the council members agree that this is the proper action,” said McDonald. He also said the city’s corporation counsel
agreed there were inconsistencies, but the only way to truly resolve this would be to hold a public referendum in November.
Greg Teresi, the city attorney, was unable to be reached for comment.
Danielle Sanzone may be reached at 270-1292.