Major mayoral primaries in the Southern Adirondacks signal coming change.
Normally, on a Tuesday night, the Golden Monkey Lounge in Glens Falls would be closed. This Tuesday, however, it hosted the primary results watch party for 3rd ward Common Council Member Diana Palmer, who was challenging incumbent Democratic Mayor Bill Collins.
In his campaign, Mayor Collins touted the city’s first zero-percent tax increase budget in more than two decades and recent infrastructure achievements like the Downtown Revitalization Initiative-funded events and market center located across the street from the Golden Monkey.
Ironically, the Golden Monkey Lounge likely wouldn’t exist without the investments Collins highlighted – South Street had long been a neglected corridor. But over the past four years, various housing and retail construction projects have brought signs of life back to the street.
Yet, in Tuesday’s Democratic mayoral primary, voters turned away from Collins, looking for a new leader to carry the momentum forward.
Life-long city resident Sara Rice says she sees Palmer as a fresh face in city politics.
“I think what has happened in the last four years is they’ve been moving on momentum that has been in a previous administration and this administration did nothing to move us forward. They took what they had and they carried it through, and I think they did a lovely job, but right now we need somebody who can do something once the money is gone. When we no longer have the DRI money, when we no longer have the grants, how can we keep this momentum forward, still keep taxes low, and still bring businesses and private companies and more people into the community,” said Rice.
Dana Stimpson has lived in the city for nearly a decade. She admires Palmer’s dedication to meeting her constituents and hearing their concerns.
“Her aim for professionalism in—because, you know, I feel like there’s too much of this good old boys network that’s happening in our city and I want things to be conscious, well-thought out choices,” said Stimpson.
A little more than an hour after polls closed, Palmer declared victory. According to unofficial returns, she won 694-277.
“I’m crediting tonight’s victory to the collective hard work of my team, of the volunteers, and to the fact that the voters of Glens Falls really want a government that will listen to them, collaborate with them, be responsible with their money, and make informed, careful decisions,” said Palmer.
Palmer’s campaign has criticized the current administration for proposing budgets with deficits, though each year the city has come out in the black. Palmer has also made strides to draft a new comprehensive plan for the city.
Across town, first-term Mayor Collins congratulated Palmer, adding tonight wasn’t the final stop for his reelection efforts.
“We have two lines, actually. The Conservative Party, I’ve been endorsed by and have filled out petitions for and am grateful that the Conservatives have backed me. So we’ll be on the Conservative line. We also have an independent line called Glens Falls Forward,” said Collins.
Collins says until November he’ll be hammering home his administration’s achievements.
“These numbers are certainly unfortunate for me, but there’s just more work to be done. So proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in my administration in the last 3.5 to 4 years. So, we look forward to boots-on-the-ground and nothing great is accomplished without hard work,” said Collins.
Meanwhile, in the Fulton County city of Gloversville, Gary Antonucci beat Matt Capano, 304-207, in the Republican primary.
Antonucci has served on the city's water board for a decade.
Longtime Democratic Mayor Vincent DeSantis announced earlier this year he would not be seeking reelection. There is no Democratic candidate for November's vote.
