Davies Announcement
Sets Up First Contest
For Common Council
Professor, Businessman To Vie In 2nd Ward
ONEONTA – The first contest in November’s Common Council election surfaced a few minutes ago.
Mark Davies, the Hartwick College professor who chairs the city’s Environmental Board, announced he will be running to represent Oneonta’s 2nd Ward on the Common Council, replacing Melissa Nicosia, who isn’t running again.
His announcement sets him up against Seth Clark, a Democrat who announced over the weekend he is running for Nicosia’s seat.
Here is the text of his announcement:
“’Oneonta has been my home for the past 16 years. It is a wonderful community to live in, and work, and to raise a family. The next five years are important to the future of Oneonta. During this time the DRI will be implemented, the rail yards will be moved towards development, our infrastructure will require upgrades, and our city and region will need to find a balance between economic development and the challenges of climate change. I am running for Common Council because I am deeply committed to serving the community and working to secure a high quality of life without sacrificing our environmental health now and into the future.’ Davies stated.
“Davies has served on the Environmental Board for six years, as chair for the last four years. During his time on the Environmental Board he led the effort to create sustainability goals that were adopted by the Common Council, collaborated with others to secure a DEC grant for a county-wide composting facility, and encouraged the City to become a Climate Smart Community. Davies has also served on the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee and is on the board for the Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE).
“Davies has worked as a professor of Education at Hartwick College since 2002 and is currently the coordinator of the Environment, Sustainability, and Society major. He holds a doctorate in Educational Foundations, as well as a master’s degree in education, from Rutgers University. Prior to teaching at Hartwick College he was a social studies teacher in a New Jersey public school. Davies is married to Diana Portalatin who works at SUNY Oneonta, and they have two college-age children.”