Heather Staley is the incumbent Democratic candidate running for the Town of Union Council. Staley has served on the Town of Union Council for four years and is co-owner of a small business, HR Staley Agency, in Endicott. While on the Town of Union Council, Staley has collaborated with the ongoing mall revitalization project in Johnson City, started small community events, such as National Night Out — a community event to build relationships between neighbors and law enforcement — and founded the town’s Tree Committee, a volunteer committee involving the maintenance, planting and protection of public trees.

What motivated you to run for this position?

“I was motivated to run for this position in 2016 because I saw my community slipping. Businesses were closing, housing stock was decaying, we had a government that was unresponsive and ruled by one party. I knew nothing of running for office and was not successful that year. However, in 2018 I won a four-year term becoming the first Democrat to win in the town in 11 years and only the 6th in the last fifty years to join the council as a Democrat.”

How does your background and previous experience make you a good candidate for this position?

“As a small business owner, I understand the needs of the business community. My husband and I have raised eight children here in the Town of Union, so I have a unique understanding of the issues facing our young families. During my four years on the council, I have learned how to bring in a budget while cutting taxes, write grants and help negotiate projects with other municipalities and elected officials. I have advocated to stop the privatization of our ambulance and refuse service with costly for-profit entities.”

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the Union, and what would you do to address it if elected?

“A big challenge facing the town is going to housing. I have plans to build more starter homes for young families and professionals wanting to settle in our town. I helped open 98 units of low and market rate housing. We have close to 200 units currently in the works for seniors and market rate units.”

What do you offer the students and youth of Broome County and why should they vote for you?

“I have helped work to revitalize the mall in Johnson City into a multi-use recreational destination in the coming year. I have written grants to build two free outdoor fitness courts. The town is also working with the Rotary to expand our walking trails. Hundreds of good paying tech jobs are coming to the Huron Campus in Endicott. I am speaking with major retailers who are interested in finding out more about our community. I also want to obtain funding to offer another round of small business grants so we can keep our entrepreneurs local. I have also worked to bring small community events such as Nation Night Out and Arbor Day. I have founded the town Tree Committee and the Town is now a Tree City USA and a Clean Energy Community, both endeavors that bring in large grants.”