Rebecca Rathmell announces campaign for City Council rematch

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Voters on Binghamton’s Southside will be presented with Strawn versus Rathmell 2.0 at the ballot box this November.

Democrat Rebecca Rathmell has officially announced her campaign in a rematch of the 6th District City Council race that ended in a tie last year.

Republican Phil Strawn is expected to make his campaign announcement soon.

Rathmell says that while residents she speaks with going door-to-door still list housing as a major concern, she says the loss of the neighborhood’s only full-service grocery store now tops their list.

Weis Markets closed its store on Conklin Avenue in March. The supermarket had served the community since it opened as a Giant in 1964.

“Many residents are really discouraged by the closure. Several of them have represented that they feel like this is just another example of disinvestment and disinterest from local leaders on this side of town,” said Rathmell.

Rathmell says she plans to create a constituent advisory committee made up of 6th district residents to discuss possible solutions, including a non-profit run store similar to Greater Good Grocery, or even a food co-op. She says she also has a four-point plan to address the housing crisis

After last November’s tie, neither Rathmell nor Strawn took the seat, with the Democrats on Council opting to appoint Republican Michael Kosty instead.

News 34 plans to speak with Strawn next week.

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