By Adam B. Cyr,
“I have been overwhelmed with the support from residents of Allegany County who want to see change take place in Belmont and it’s going to start with my vision as your new Allegany County Treasurer. When I was a legislator, I witnessed how the treasurer in Allegany County sat in on every department head meeting and gave directions on how to run county business.
As treasurer, I will have an experienced, trusted team who have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the treasurer’s office and being fiscally responsible with your money.
As a businessman, my very first business was sealing foundation walls with tar. I saved money, I invested, and I expanded my company into a long-standing construction company with many employees. As the years went on, I continued to value every dollar that came in. I wanted to keep investing and creating new businesses like my roll-off and demolition companies while making sure employees were well compensated.
I did not borrow a single penny to build my businesses. I have learned how to invest and run a successful business despite the ever-changing tax laws and mandates for businesses in Allegany County and New York State. That’s another reason for running for treasurer, I do not want future generations to have to overcome the obstacles like I did to invest in businesses and property in Allegany County.
I have not been a part of the treasurer’s office, who recently paid to receive awards from an investment company, and I have financed my own campaign without asking for donations. I also like to quote Mark Twain, who said, “I never let schooling get in the way of my education.” Education is important, but it should not be confined to the walls of a classroom or the structure of a broken system.
There are a lot of things we need to do to make real change in Allegany County and one by one, listening to the residents, they will be done. The people have told me they want me to investigate several things once elected:
1) Why are all county vehicles leased? Could we save money with alternative purchases on state bids with significant savings?
2) Why is the county benefitting from the death of our loved ones? Currently, the county treasurer gets 10 percent of any estate that does not have a will. That money should go back to the family.
3) Could we save money by cutting back on lawsuits against the county for unlawful tax sales?
4) Can we stop profiting from residents and instead work with them to stay in their home that has been in the family for generations? The county has a line item that shows a one million dollar profit each year from delinquent property tax sales. If you owe a few thousand on back taxes, the county then sells your property and can easily sell your home for $50,000, where is that profit going? The excuses for profiting from taxpayers must end.
Our neighbors, friends and families are trying to make ends meet and not lose their homes. Meanwhile, the county administrator received a $43,000 pay raise in the span of 18 months and the legislators voted to give themselves a 42% pay raise (I voted no to that).
It will take time to make changes in Belmont, but change is needed, and I appreciate the ideas and support”.
Adam B. Cyr, Candidate for Allegany County Treasurer
