MATTIE WRIGHT: Roger Marietta responsive to constituents

I begin my narrative by informing the voters of Ward IV how Commissioner Roger Marietta was instrumental in assisting me with getting a screened-in patio added to my home.

I learned that there is a process that one must go through with the city of Albany’s Planning and Development before making alterations to existing structures on one’s property to ensure compliance with City Fire Codes.

Before I learned this, I already had some structures in close proximity to where I wanted to extend this patio. As you may have guessed, things stalled; I had invested money and I didn’t know what to do. I called Mr. Marietta and he referred me to state Rep. Winfred Dukes, a local contractor and former member of the Planning Commission. Rep. Dukes came to my house — that night in the rain — to assist me in understanding and navigating through this process. Meanwhile, Mr. Marietta told me of a current Planning Commission member who could assist me in this process if needed.

I want to thank Mr. Marietta, state Rep. Winfred Dukes, Ms. Mary Teter, the planning staff and the commission for helping me make my retirement and nature loving dream a reality.

I highly recommend Mr. Marietta and Ms. Dorothy Hubbard for another term. They are problem-solvers who respond to their constituents’ needs and they interact professionally at all times. Why break up a good team? Let’s keep people who can keep Albany moving forward.

MATTIE WRIGHT

Albany