Local Accountant Running For Utica Council

Utica, NY (WIBX) - An accountant at a local law firm is going to try his hand a politics. Joe Marino, a 31-year-old Democrat, will make a run for the 4th Ward seat currently held by Joan Scalise.

“I love the city of Utica very much and is time to inject new and young blood into the city government. With my financial background and business sense, I believe I can really make a difference especially in our current economic climate.”

A few areas that Marino vows to concentrate on are:

• Focusing on and implementing new and more cost efficient approaches to running the city government/Police/Fire Departments.
• Closely monitoring the financing of Utica’s new Master Plan.
• Exploring ways to make Utica an attractive area to operate a business
• Keeping our neighborhoods safe.
• Relieving tax payers of the burden of paying for the benefits of part time city employees. “If part timers require benefits they should absolutely have the right to them, but at their expense not the taxpayers.” said Marino.
• Building a strong and lasting bridge between Utica’s Government and our major colleges within the city limits, not to mention the countless other higher education institutions in our immediate area.

Regarding his feeling about part timers and benefits, Marino said, "Any Common Council members or part time employees, I think they should be allowed those benefits, but not at [the taxpayers] expense. I think they should be offered [benefits], and if they choose, they should pay for them."

According to information provided in his announcement, Marino is a Graduate of Utica College of Syracuse University with a Degree in Accounting and is currently a few credits short of completing his M.B.A for SUNY/IT which he expects in the near future. He is currently the accountant for the law firm of Brindisi, Murad, Brindisi, Pearlman, Julian and Pertz, LLP. His wife, the former Danielle Mezzanini, is a stay at home mom and she raises their twin boys Joseph Jr. and Anthony Marino (both 3 years old).

“When the same old thing gets no results it only makes sense to try a new approach, and I believe I am that new approach. I am young, energetic, have a fresh outlook and possess the skill to help take this city in a new direction. By announcing my candidacy now I have ample time to focus on these and other city issues.”