Election 2026: Meet Frederick 'Rick' Stortecky

Submitted by Rick Stortecky

Since September of 2023, I have had the honor and privilege of serving the village in my capacity as deputy mayor and budget officer. During this time, my primary objectives have been to “do more with less,” a novel idea in today’s politics, and “fix what was broken.”

During my time as budget officer, I was responsible for overseeing a budget that did not increase the village tax rate for the third consecutive year. The Village of Youngstown has the lowest tax rate of any village in Niagara County. Prior to Mayor Reisman appointing me as budget officer, the budget had been drafted by the village clerk. The budget lacked transparency. It also lacked insight from our department heads. As part of my budget process, I personally meet with each department head to discuss the needs and wants of each department. I then meet with the entire office to finalize the tentative budget. I am committed to not increasing village property taxes. With the new tax assessments, next year’s budget will need to be adjusted to address the dramatic changes to how our properties are now assessed.

When I joined the board, our village investment policy still had Marine Midland Bank listed as our primary bank. It was obvious that it had not been revised in decades. With assistance of Treasurer Kim Winning and Village Attorney Christopher Trapp, we now have an updated, compliant version that will be voted on imminently. However, during the last three years, our current board has been much more proactive in prudently handing village funds. Since the time I joined the board to present day, our NYCLASS accounts (public sector savings accounts) have increased from $611,000 to over $2,600,000. These additional reserves can be used for current and future infrastructure projects that have been neglected for decades. Additionally, by handling our finances prudently, we have increased our interest income by over 400%.

Over the last few years, the village has also significantly benefitted from multiple federal, state and local grants totaling an unprecedented amount over $2,000,000. If you have been on Water Street recently, the new road was funded by a REDI grant, and savings found in the project allowed us to reconstruct the stairs by the Yacht Club and install new lighting. Last year, we were awarded a Greenway grant that will provide a new bike path through the village and also improve both Veterans and Falkner parks, including new, ADA-compliant bathrooms in Falkner Park. With assistance from Friends of Youngstown, we received several additional grants that have dramatically improved our offerings through our Recreation Department. Our recreation director, Jeff Gruarin, has received regional recognition for his efforts in enhancing our Recreation Department. We have received Stonegarden grant money to augment wages paid to our police officers. This was a program that was previously ignored. The Stonegarden funds were utilized beginning Shawn Bosi’s first day as chief. Under Chief Bosi’s leadership, we are currently exploring other options to significantly improve our police department, but by utilizing federal funds through Homeland Security, not our village taxpayer dollars.

We saved the village taxpayers upward of $400,000 by selling the Cold Storage Building to a local developer. What was once a tremendous liability will be the future site of luxury condominiums that will increase our tax base. This had unsuccessfully been attempted for several years; we got it done! A win-win for our taxpayers and our community!

My next objective is to “fix what was broken.” Upon joining the board, it was immediately apparent that there were many issues that required attention. There were employees that did not possess the proper credentials for their position, such as not possessing the required licensure for a period of two-plus years. In another instance, an employee did not satisfy a residency requirement that is required by the state. One of the former employees also had outside business activities that were never properly disclosed that, at a minimum, presented a conflict of interest. These types of practices undermine the village’s integrity and cause great division within the village we all love and call home.

Although I have personally been threatened by some of these individuals and the recipients of their “favors,” I have no regrets when it comes to being ethical and doing what is right for Youngstown. I have moved the location of my business, quit a club where my wife and I were longstanding members, and stopped frequenting certain establishments because of the malicious attacks and false narratives that all stem from doing what was ethically right. As Mayor Reisman often says, “What is wrong with right?”

Some of my political opponents are sharing a report that resulted from a recent New York state audit. The report identifies monies that were paid out by the current board to prior employees. Unfortunately, what the report fails to mention is that the compensatory time that was paid out occurred over several years that started well before any current board members were on the board.

It is important to know, that under Mayor Reisman’s leadership, prior to the audit, we had retained attorney Heather Giambra to assist the village in creating an employee handbook, something that should have been done decades ago. After months of revisions, the board plans to vote on the new employee handbook in our upcoming reorganizational meeting. Additionally, the board voted to end the practice of compensatory time for employees that work in the village office. Lastly, the board voted to pay out monies far less than what the former employees requested. Under the advice of legal counsel, the board voted to pay out these monies to avoid potential litigation. In short, it not this board that caused the issues outlined in the report. It was this board that fixed years of policy deficiencies and protected the village from future occurrences.

Many residents have asked why I want to be the village’s next mayor. The answer is simple. I want to continue to fix what was broken, and I want to continue to “do more with less.” Additionally, I want to prevent reverting back to the days when the board and a few key employees only served a few individuals and special interest groups. These individuals often ignored policies and procedures to benefit a few friends to the detriment of the other residents. Do you want Youngstown to be run by individuals who wish to serve the select few or do you want leaders who have worked tirelessly to fix what was broken, make government more efficient, and make tough choices that benefit the entire village? For most, the choice is clear.

Youngstown is my home, and its residents are my extended family. As mayor, I will stay committed to “doing more with less.” I will continue to “fix what is broken.” With your support, I will continue efforts to preserve Youngstown’s history, and attempt to work with ALL residents that want what is best for ALL residents, not just a few.

I also ask you to support Rob Reisman and Catherine Stella for village trustee. I know they will also represent ALL residents and continue to do what is right.

I would be honored to receive your vote for Village of Youngstown mayor on May 19.