ONEONTA _ A State University College at Oneonta student says he wants to be the next mayor of Oneonta _ a position also under consideration by the former president of Hartwick College.
Jason Corrigan, 21, said Thursday he plans to run a well-organized campaign and reach out to the entire community.
"I'm not doing this as a rebellious student," Corrigan said. "I really am concerned about the people and their welfare."
Corrigan, a registered Democrat, said he intends to get on the ballot as an independent with his Unifying Oneonta party. But he said he also plans to get on the Democratic ticket, even if that means a primary.
Former Hartwick College President Richard Miller said Thursday he is also considering the post and was meeting that night with city Republican committee members.
"I am discussing the possibility with them that I might," Miller said. "I am thinking about it. If I were to decide to run, I would run as an independent and seek an endorsement of all the parties."
Miller said he expects to make a decision within the next two to three weeks.
Miller, Third Ward Alderman Erik Miller and Sixth Ward resident Jordan Shephardson met with city Republicans on Thursday night to a discuss possible endorsements, Erik Miller said late Thursday. He and Shephardson are members of the Otsego County GOP committee.
"The Republican committee did not choose anyone tonight," said Erik Miller, who is not related to Richard Miller.
Mayor John Nader, a Democrat, announced last month his appointment as provost of the State University College of Technology at Delhi, and he is not seeking election to a second term.
Nader's four-year term ends Dec. 31.
Erik Miller, who had said he was in the running last month, said Thursday night he is still interested.
Student: I'll donate my salary
Corrigan said he is financially stable and is not running for the annual $19,500 mayor's paycheck
In fact, Corrigan said if he is elected, he plans on donating his mayor's salary to a scholarship fund he intends to create that would aid qualified but financially strapped students.
"I've been planning for this since September," Corrigan said. "I have a set strategy."
Corrigan, the community service chairman on SUNY Oneonta's Inter-Greek Council, said he is not willing to discuss his strategy, although he did say there will be drives to get college students registered to vote locally.
The 6,000 or so students in Oneonta comprise about half the population of the city.
Of the city's 6,215 registered voters last November, 2,780 were Democrats and 1,590 were Republicans.
Corrigan, the community service and public relations chairman for his Chi Phi fraternity, said he plans to continue his involvement in community events and is expecting to take a "listening tour" of churches in the city.
He said he also hopes to engage in formal debates on the SUNY Oneonta campus as well as at Hartwick College.
Corrigan transferred to SUNY Oneonta from the State University College at Plattsburgh for the spring 2008 semester. He is a communications major.
Corrigan, a 2006 graduate of Shenendehowa, said his great-uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather worked in government.
"I've been around that type of mind-set all my life," Corrigan said.
Corrigan said he also has several relatives who served in the military.
"I've pretty much grown up in a leadership-type environment," he said.
Corrigan said he hopes to help make Oneonta a more-modern city and focus on "green" initiatives.
He also said he would like to work toward gaining state and federal aid to build off-campus housing downtown. Such housing could help alleviate some of the town-gown conflicts seen in the city, he said.
"This is my main concern right now," Corrigan said.
Corrigan, a junior, said if elected he will likely stay in Oneonta after he graduates in 2010.
Muller: Several Democratic candidates being considered
Former Mayor Kim Muller, who is on the Otsego County Democratic Committee's executive committee, said city Democrats have several possible candidates.
"We have some individuals who would be very strong contenders. We are in conversation with them," said Muller, who said she did not wish to disclose any names. "I'm sure we'll have a candidate soon."
Muller said she has not met with Corrigan but said he does not need committee approval to get on the ballot as a Democrat.
"Any registered Democrat can run in the primary. They are not required to get the endorsement of the Democratic Party," Muller said.
When asked if the committee would be willing to endorse Richard Miller for mayor, Muller said she could not answer that.
"I would say that Dick Miller would make a great candidate for mayor," Muller said.
Miller's consulting company, founded after his retirement from Hartwick last year, is part of a proposal by Otsego County Economic Development Department to assume downtown developer duties for the city through an intermunicipal agreement.
Under the plan, Miller's firm would share the $45,000 contract with the department and Main Street Oneonta.
Although the city has approved it, the county Board of Representatives has not, Miller said.
"There are miles to go there yet," Miller said when asked about his future with the downtown proposal and his potential run for mayor.
