Republican Andrew J. Savoie is running for county legislator in the First District because he says three-term incumbent Frank Puma isn’t doing enough.

"My attempts to engage Mr. Puma in regard to issues directly affecting myself and the residents of the First District, particularly the enormous tax increase implemented in 2008, the issues for resolving the ongoing dispute with the Oneida Indian Nation and the Oneida County airport went unanswered and unaddressed during his time in office," Savoie said. "He did not return my calls and was always ‘too busy’ on the rare occasions I ran into him in the community. ... Any public comment by Mr. Puma has been indifferent and undecided in relation to legislation affecting residents of the First District."

Puma, one of 14 Democrats on the 29-member Board of Legislators, says his background in business and county government serves his constituents well.

"I believe that my professional experience as a business owner and accountant has allowed me to provide my constituents with exceptional representation," he said. "During the course of my career I have been able to see and participate in the governmental process at the local level with the City of Rome and the county level as a legislator for the First District."

He adds, "My experience in government and business background have been important in carrying out my duties as Oneida County legislator for the First District."

Savoie says he would be a lawmaker "with no conflicting jobs that would prevent me from voting and participating in legislation." He notes that on Sept. 30 Puma abstained from voting on an county snowplowing agreement with municipalities because of his position as city treasurer. Rome, like most towns, is paid by the county to plow county roads.

Savoie says property taxes are the top issue in the district.

"Now when you compile that with an elected legislator who cannot participate because of conflicting jobs, you have an entire district of residents that are not represented," he said.

Puma says he does not believe his being both a county legislator and acting part-time city treasurer present a conflict.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel has ruled that the federal Hatch Act "does not prohibit his current candidacy for county legislator."

Puma sees economic development as "one of the most significant issues facing" his district and all of Rome.

"A smoothly running local economy creates a positive environmental for raising families, educating our children and providing meaningful work opportunities," he said. "A strong economy keeps people here, attracts investment and nurtures growth."

In looking around the county, Puma says, "The most significant issue facing the county is a budget that provides for necessary services without requiring additional tax burden to the taxpayers."

He adds, "Our county’s economic development is very important to creating jobs."

Savoie points to "property taxes, slow job growth, unemployment and budget expenditures in excess of 50 percent for social and welfare program" as major county issues.

"High county sales tax and overall decrease in earnings for a shrinking population are the concerns that I hear from the constituents across my district and county. With only 2 percent of the budget dedicated to development, we are not investing as we should to develop our region."

Comments were solicited from the candidates on a variety of topics and some of their responses follow:

Thoughts on the county executive’s proposed 2010 $360 million budget that features a 2.5 percent increase in the amount of money to be collected in property taxes and imposition of a motor vehicle registration fee?

• Puma: "We need to really look at the budget for 2010 and determine what items are needed to operate Oneida County efficiently without a property tax or sales tax increase. We also need to look at programs that generate income for Oneida County and to continue those programs. ... The sales tax revenue that Oneida County should be receiving from the Oneida Nation businesses would have a positive effect on Oneida County’s revenue, with the additional benefit giving legislators more flexibility to reduce property taxes, sales tax or both."

• Savoie: "There are cuts that could be made, but overall it seems responsible to me as presented. Unfunded state and federal mandates drive our budget to the realm of unsustainability and force community leaders to look for avenues to cover the costs fairly across the population they serve. Though I do not agree with increasing the county motor vehicle registration fees, I am open to any suggestion by anyone that can come up with a better solution. ... Consolidating services would greatly decrease the tax burden, and a master plan to identify and implement sooner than later is overdue.

Possible reduction in the county sales tax? The county has the option of trimming the county sale tax .75 percent component by .25 percent to .5 percent, thus bringing the total county sales tax down to 4.5 percent, plus the state’s 4 percent.

• Savoie: "I would support reducing the (.75 percent) sales tax to .5 percent. Based on the overall income loss at the local, state and national levels, consumers have less to work with and that was clearly indicated at the local level by the significant drop in sales tax revenues."

• Puma: "Sales tax has been reduced from 9.75 percent to the current 8.75 percent and I have been in favor of sales tax reduction, but at present I would rather maintain this sales tax rate than increase property taxes."

In what areas can the county act, apart from the state and federal governments, to end some of the differences between county government and the Oneida Indian Nation?

• Puma: "County Executive Anthony Picente at least tried to have an agreement with the Oneida Indian Nation. A better agreement between Oneida County and the Oneida Indian Nation would be one way to settle the ongoing issues. Both sides would have to give and take. Will the court battles ever end?

"The state has not enforced the collection of sales tax on the Oneida Indian Nation’s enterprises."

• Savoie: "As long as there is the desire of the population and the elected representatives to fight the Oneida Indian Nation, there will be no resolve. If your resolve is not to meet, not negotiate and to continue to ‘fight,’ then you continue to burden yourself, your children and the entire region by creating substantial debt on the region. ... A responsible legislation should be looking to partnership, not destruction of a regional asset."