UTICA — The claws have come out as the race for the next mayor of Utica continues with just four months left until the primary election.

Robert Cardillo is currently one of four candidates who have announced their candidacy for mayor of Utica. Third District Councilor Celeste Friend, Councilor at Large Frank DiBrango and Council President Michael Galime have also announced their candidacies. Current Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri cannot run for the next term due to term limits, however, he would be eligible to run again after one term without him as mayor has elapsed.

During a press conference at Utica City Hall on Monday, Cardillo pledged to be a "dedicated, full-time mayor" should he be elected. His statement comes as he alleges that candidate Michael Galime would continue with his employment in the private sector in addition to being mayor of Utica.

"This is a full-time position, and the people of the city of Utica deserve a full-time mayor," Cardillo said.

Cardillo has signed an affidavit stating that if he were elected, he would not be employed by any other entity, full- or part-time, during his administration. The affidavit also states he will divest himself from any other business entities, corporations or LLC’s he’s involved with and will not do future business with them as mayor. Cardillo has prepared the same affidavit for Galime to sign, but has also encouraged all candidates who are running for mayor to make the same pledge if they were to be elected.

"A mayor cannot serve two masters," Cardillo added. "That corner office, where Mayor Palmieri is right now, is critical to have somebody who’s gonna be dedicated on a full-time basis and not have any other outside influence that might take time away. Imagine if we have a really bad snow storm, the mayor needs to be here. Imagine if we have unforeseen crisis with crime, the mayor needs to be here. Not only be here physically, but be here mentally. Your mind has to be into this 24/7. You can't do your job on an as-needed basis, it's with you 24/7. The people deserve that."

In response to Cardillo's claims, Galime stated that "if elected, my full-time commitment, 24/7, will be the office of mayor in Utica. I would not make that statement to the city I’ve grown up in and continue to be a part of if I could not go above and beyond what others are calling 'full-time' for our city."

Galime added that he has no intention of signing Cardillo's affidavit and cited errors with the affidavit that was given to the press, including a post-dated date for the day after the press conference was held and an incorrect address for Galime.

"This press conference is no surprise, coming on the heels of me being nominated and endorsed for the mayoral ticket by the City of Utica Republican Party with an overwhelming majority over Cardillo," Galime added.