According to the New York State Board of Elections, Mayor Michael Villa’s campaign fund has taken in $5,158 in contributions so far this year. When reached for comment today, Villa said that he held a fundraiser in March, but has not yet officially announced that he is running for re-election in 2019.
Four businesses were among the top contributors this year. Pollard Excavating contributed $787, Collar City Auctions contributed $500, Cranesville Block Company contributed $250, and River Ridge Operating, LLC contributed $250. Top individual contributors were Patrick McLaughlin of Latham who contributed $500 and Sal Megna of Amsterdam who contributed $250.
The Amsterdam Common Council approved Pollard Excavating for a $3.19 million contract last year for work on the city’s sewer system. The firm submitted the “lowest, most responsible bid” and was also recommended by the city’s contracted engineering firm McDonald Engineering. Collar City Auctions recently ran the city’s foreclosed property auction.
In regards to the contributions, Villa said that while he welcomes them, those contributions don’t guarantee a seat in the mayor’s office.
“It guarantees nothing,” said Villa. “I don’t make promises to anybody.”
He added that especially in the area of awarding bids for infrastructure projects, he tries to stay out of the process, deferring to recommendations from the engineering office.
