Pfister making run at county office
Former Athens village trustee announces candidacy for legislature
The Daily Mail
July 2, 2009

ATHENS — Longtime Athens Village trustee Chris Pfister has announced his intention to take a seat as a county legislator representing Athens.

Pfister decided not to run for re-election to the Village Board this spring, citing his need to take care of some personal projects.

But now, he said, he said he wants to offer a choice of candidates to Athens voters, especially given the economic problems facing residents and the county government.

“[County legislator] is such an important position” he said.

Pfister, a Democrat, is running for the seat currently held by Ray Brooks, R-Athens. Every legislative seat is up for election in November.

Pfister said a political mix in the legislature can enhance discussions in the chamber and committee meetings.

“Added scrutiny from Democrats has made for better solutions over the past few years,” he said.

The Athens native noted that while he was part of the Village Board, the Village saw many improvements to its infrastructure and services.

A new firehouse, new water intake, dam and filtration system and a new 750,000 gallon holding tank, were built, he said. The water transmission line was expanded, Village buildings received new roofs and the Brick Row Transmission Line was relocated. Restoration work on the Community Center and gym was completed and upgrades to the wastewater plant were made, he said.

Pfister served for two years as Deputy Mayor and has sat on the Finance, Streets, Buildings/Grounds, Fire Department, Firehouse Construction and Water System Improvement Project committees.

He also worked on the development of the Fourth Street kayak launch and has been involved with the Athens Flower Program, the Athens Paddock Club and the Athens Street Festival.

“While I was fortunate to be able to work on some high profile issues, I found the most satisfaction in helping to solve the day to day problems of our residents,” he said.

Pfister serves on the Athens Community Foundation Advisory Board, the Greene County Aging Services Foundation and participates in the county Meals on Wheels program. He has also worked on restoration projects at the Athens Cultural Center and the Jan Van Loon House. Pfister and his wife Carol were honored with the Coxsackie Area Chamber of Commerce Community Service Prism Award.

Pfister said volunteers with the Fire Department and community organizations have been invaluable to Athens. He said that as legislator, he would continue to support volunteer endeavors.

“Without the efforts of such people, our community would suffer immeasurably,” he said. “I find their commitment very inspirational and humbling.”

He said he hopes to help every resident of Athens understand issues facing the legislature and help the legislature understand the concerns of residents by opening communication between the two groups of people.

“I want to make sure that county government is responsive to the needs of our towns and villages,” he said.

Pfister said he also wants to see the county offer more support to small businesses and small farms in the area than it currently does.

He said the Greene County Industrial Development Agency has done a good job attracting and retaining manufacturers but small businesses have lacked similar support.

“I would like to see that same kind of effort into revitalizing some of our main streets,” he said.

The county, he said, can do more to help local governments by sharing with municipalities services now, and, in the future, sales tax revenues. He said that although the current economic climate would prevent such revenue sharing the county could do more to help with municipal operations.

The county could help run or supply the Athens Recycling Center to ensure that the center can remain open at convenient hours, he said. He said a county street-cleaner already makes its rounds in Athens.

Pfister said that although he has not finalized a platform, he is looking forward to representing the residents of Athens.

“I will put forth every effort to keep our citizens well-informed, to serve all of our residents equally, to bring smart and sustainable growth to our county and to make sure that our taxpayers money is spent wisely,” he said.