Bradley's goals include updates in city services

Stephen J. Bradley has taken two years away from the City Council to regroup and reorganize.

Now, he wants back in.

Mr. Bradley, 48, said he is rejuvenated and campaigning hard for a sophomore term on the council. Top among his priorities is the city's slow approach to modernizing the services it provides. The city is not set up to receive online bill payments, he noted, and, in most cases, does not accept credit cards.

"They're having a really hard time keeping things updated," he said. "What business can you walk into these days and they don't accept a credit card?"

Mr. Bradley, who co-owns Abbey Carpets, 150 Court St., with his wife Joyce, said he was unorganized during his previous term on the council.

He told the Times earlier this summer: "I've learned how to balance my time. I always enjoyed my time on the council. It was just making that time work for me that was the hard part."

Mr. Bradley, Councilman Jeffrey M. Smith and Teresa R. Macaluso are campaigning to fill two City Council seats that will become vacant in January.

During his last term, which ended in 2007, Mr. Bradley pushed the city to utilize alternative energy sources to drive down the city's need to purchase power.

"That's still one of the most important things for me right now," he said. "It's something we should be utilizing in every city building."

Mr. Bradley said the stacks of paperwork and research he has compiled about geothermal, solar and hydro power show that the city could easily install systems that could lower the city's need for electricity.

"Some of these aren't all that difficult to obtain or install," he said. "This would save us money and would help modernize our power systems."

When on the council, Mr. Bradley and Mr. Smith pushed city staff to pursue alternative energy projects.

"He's one of the reasons I'm running again," Mr. Bradley said.

Mr. Bradley pointed out that Councilman Joseph M. Butler Jr. and Councilwoman Roxanne M. Burns also have shown interest in alternative energy projects.

Also on his list of priorities is making sure the city's sidewalk replacement program remains intact.

"There needs to be a sidewalk program," Mr. Bradley said. "We need to get more down every year; it's a quality of life issue that every resident can enjoy."

Earlier this year, the City Council briefly scrapped the program as a cost-cutting measure. A watered-down version of the program was later reinstated.

Mr. Bradley also said he will support the proposed expansion of the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds municipal arena, but only if the project is cost effective. Mr. Bradley said he needs more information about the project before he can make a decision about the expansion.

He added: "I know I'm qualified for this job. I have four years' experience on the council, I'm a business owner and I own a home here in the city."

This is the first of three profiles of candidates seeking election to the Watertown City Council. On Wednesday, we talk to Teresa R. Macaluso and on Thursday, Jeffrey M. Smith.

THE BRADLEY FILE

Stephen J. Bradley

AGE: 48

ADDRESS: 113 Ten Eyck St.

FAMILY: Wife Joyce, and three children, Amber, 24, Caitlin, 20, and Matthew, 14.

JOB: Co-owner of Abbey Carpets, 150 Court St., with his wife Joyce.

EXPERIENCE: City Council, 2003-07; Library Board of Trustees, Thompson Park Conservancy Board, Downtown Business

EDUCATION: Thousand Islands Central School, Clayton, and associate's degree, Central City Business Institute, Syracuse.