Joe Fusco Defends His Handling Of Economy, Housing

Rome Mayor Joe Fusco is fending off criticism from those challenging his administration's efforts to attract new businesses to the city.

Fusco, appearing on the WIBX First News with Keeler in the Morning on Monday, said he isn't surprised that three of his four challengers for the mayor's office have been critical of him, saying ''you try to tear down the other guy because you're bringing nothing to the table. None of those three candidates bring any experience whatsoever to the table. I know the word experience has been used by some of them but it really doesn't exist,'' Fusco said.

In fact, bringing private investment to Rome tops Fusco's own list of his biggest achievement during his first term.

''We invested in a housing market study. We brought developers and prospective buyers together. Buck Construction came back to the table. We've worked on housing incentives, we've changed our zoning codes to help spur development. And on the heels of that we have another development starting on Bielby Road, we've got investment in downtown buildings, for downtown lofts. We have over $10 million dollars of private investment right now in our housing stock. It is a huge void that [Rome] has had, and we're doing that.''

The mayoral race includes four challengers: Ramona Smith (D), Michael Brown (D), Louis Daniello (D) and Jacqueline Izzo (R).

Fusco is facing the Republican party's endorsed candidate, Izzo, in the September 10, primary. During the interview he shared his feeling on local 'politically charged' party endorsements and his own independent party, Rome Is Home.

Full interview from Monday August 31, 2015: