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Celeste meets with community activists and members of Indivisible Mohawk Valley










​Platform

Renewing Democracy: What would a robust democracy in Utica look like?
  • Transparent government - How many times have you heard about a big public project AFTER it was too late to have a voice in it? When was the last time the public had any real input into the annual city budget? The City can't keep operating in the dark if we want to build a Utica for all of us.
  1. ​I will insist that Common Council adhere to New York State Open Meetings Law (OML). This law requires that all meetings, including regular, pre-meetings, and committee meetings be announced. Open Meeting Law pertains to binding votes, but also informal discussions, and activity preliminary to a vote, or consideration of a matter that COULD become subject of Council action.
  2. The agenda and any documents regarding a proposed resolution, law, rule, regulation, policy or any amendment to be the subject of discussion must be made available on Council's web page, or as printed material at these meetings.
  3. I will work to assure that all public meetings are posted on the web site and sent to the media 72 hours in advance, (as required by OML).
  4. I will insist that OML be followed regarding publishing meeting minutes within 2 weeks on the web page, with accessibility to the public as printable materials.  
  5. My concern is that minutes must have a record or summary of all motions, proposals, resolutions AND THE VOTES TAKEN. Minutes that do not give information on the content or substance of matters adopted do not constitute adequate minutes, secret ballots are not permitted.​
  • Engaged Electorate
  • Responsive and Reachable Elected Officials
  • Better communication from City Hall
  • Increased Citizen Attendance at Public Meetings (Common Council, Board of Education)


Creating a Vibrant Utica: What kind of economic growth do we want?
  • More support for arts & cultures
  • Supporting local independent business
  • Making Utica a place where people want to live and where the dollars we spend stay here to enrich our community
  • Building upon the resources we already have: a wealth of immigrant cultures both old & new; affordable housing stock; proximity to rural and natural resources


Livability in Utica: What is the quality of our every day lives?
  • We should be able to walk everywhere and walk safely
  • Codes should be enforced
  • Parking violations make everyday life more difficult
  • We should have easy and nearby access to small businesses​