Dorcey for mayor

Unlike last year’s presidential election, the race for Mayor of Albany comes complete with a democratic primary. Having lived in Albany for nearly four decades,* I understand that this primary is the de facto election. Since it’s been more than a century since Albany has sworn in a republican as mayor, it stands to reason that the person who wins the primary will be the next mayor of this Capital city which I call home.  

While I personally have not voted for a republican since I initially registered to vote in the 1984 election, I’ve resisted voting straight along the party line, preferring to maintain an iota of independence. In fact, when the option is available, I generally vote Working Family rather than Democrat.

This two party system is killing us.

When our current mayor, Kathy Sheehan, announced last year that she would not seek another term, it was immediately clear to me who the anointed candidate would be; my former Common Council representative, Dorcey Applyrs. 

Applyrs is running in a field with 3 other bona fide candidates: Corey Ellis, Carolyn McLaughlin and Dan Cerutti. The first two names are familiar to those involved in Albany politics – both have been on the scene for many years as active residents of our little city on the Hudson. They’ve both worked to represent and improve opportunities for Albanians and will likely continue to play important roles in this city’s future.

Dan Cerutti, however, is a horse donkey of a different color. His name was first mentioned to me months ago by a friend whose opinion I value. She said he was fiscally responsible, socially progressive and committed to making Albany the best version of itself possible. Her personal experience with him lent a sense of confirmed abilities and intentions. On paper, he sounded pretty good.

Between the positive things I’ve heard and read about him, and my distaste for falling in with expectations, I was leaning heavily towards Cerutti. But in recent weeks, my opinion has changed. I’m not sure what first caused me to reconsider. It might have been the repeated accusations that concerned Cerutti’s fundraising sources, namely a PAC which has hauled in approximately $150k from people without any discernible connection to Albany. When I drove to Voorheesville a couple of weeks ago, I was surprised (and annoyed) to see a Cerutti lawn sign on a property in the village. 

What’s up with that? 

Sidebar: I’m so tired of suburban folks, who would never consider living in Albany, expressing their opinions about the city where I own a home and educated my children. Buy in or be quiet.

I’ve heard some rumblings about a lack of transparency in Cerutti’s positions on topics important to me – things like genuine affordable housing, protecting the rights of immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community and prioritizing residents and quality of life issues. When I looked at Cerutti’s website, I found no concrete information offered, just short videos which I don’t have the time or interest in playing. Give me something in black & white, please.

I think the final nail in Cerutti’s coffin, for me, was when I heard him repeatedly described as a “a successful businessman/political newcomer.” Sorry, but that sounds more than a little too similar to our country’s current nightmare leader, Mr. Art of the Deal. I don’t want another novice in office during these turbulent times. Pass.

Dorcey Applyrs has done the work in various important roles in our city. She’s familiar with the problems we’re facing in our community and has established herself as a team player seeking to improve Albany for all. I appreciate her youth and the perspective she will bring as a parent to young children in a city which struggles with retaining families as their children reach middle grade school age. Like Kathy Sheehan, Dorcey is experienced in managing finances and brings local perspective to this critical position. 

I’ve made my decision- Dorcey’s got my vote.