An Open Letter from Mayor Graham

Dear Friend, Let me start by asking for your vote on November 8th to continue as your Mayor. Im proud of my record as your Mayor. Taxes have been lowered, our debt has been reduced by $6,000,000 and Moodys has raised the Citys bond rating! As your Mayor, critical Arsenal Street infrastructure has been improved, allowing more development in and around Watertown. With three new housing complexes, new hotels, and a Downtown and Black River waterfront remade and revitalized, we are having a construction boom the envy of upstate New York. Growth and development create jobs and keep our taxes in check. In the next four years managing the citys growth is a priority. Ive listened to your concerns. We are restructuring the Parks and Recreation Department to better serve, while also increasing commitments to the Flower Memorial Library and the Thompson Park Zoo. On these matters and more, it is and has been my pleasure to build consensus with City Councils, while working with city staff and the public. Developing relationships and teamwork are critical to effective governing. This year I have worked on an initiative to build bonds with Kingston, Ontario with an eye towards more tourism and more jobs here. The redevelopment of the Mercy complex, for example, will require not rhetoric, but leadership, experience and relationships with others. I have already worked closely with Jefferson County, our New York State lawmakers and the Development Authority on issues like JCC, the airport and two industrial parks in the City, and am doing the same with Mercy. I have worked with City Council Members Roxanne Burns and Joe Butler, Jr., who are being reelected this year without opposition. Meanwhile Council Members Teresa Macaluso and Jeff Smith both have two years left on their terms. That means I know who I will be working with if reelected, as there are no new faces running, and no transition needed. My offer to you is experienced, proven leadership and an ability to be effective in our non-partisan form of City government. My focus for the next four years:

Getting the Job Done !

I invite you to join me at upcoming Meet the Mayor events. Details are on the reverse side, as is our mailing address if you are so kind as to donate to the campaign. If you prefer a one on one discussion of your issues, please call me at 486-0879. Thank you for the opportunity to be your Mayor and I again ask for your vote on November 8.

Your Mayor and Friend,

Jeffrey Graham