Building Schenectady’s Future: Continuing the Legacy of Charles Proteus Steinmetz

When people think about Schenectady’s greatest innovators, one name consistently rises to the top: Charles Proteus Steinmetz. His contributions to electrical engineering helped transform not only Schenectady, New York, but the entire world. His work at General Electric made our city an international center of innovation, manufacturing, and scientific discovery, earning Schenectady the nickname, “The City That Lights and Hauls the World.”

As I, Orlondo Otis Hundley II, campaign to become the next Mayor of Schenectady, I believe our city stands at a similar crossroads. The question before us is not whether we can innovate. Schenectady has already proven that we can. The question is whether our innovation will once again improve the lives of the people who call this city home.

Innovation should never exist for its own sake. It should exist to solve problems, expand opportunity, and improve the quality of life for every resident.

Charles Proteus Steinmetz Believed Technology Should Serve People

Charles Proteus Steinmetz did far more than revolutionize alternating current electrical systems. He believed that education, public investment, and scientific advancement should work together to strengthen communities.

While serving as President of the Schenectady Board of Education, Steinmetz advocated for longer school days, free textbooks, school nurses, vocational education, and better opportunities for immigrant families. He understood that investing in people was just as important as investing in technology.

That philosophy should continue to guide Schenectady today.

Economic development should not simply be measured by ribbon cuttings, luxury developments, or corporate press releases. It should be measured by whether working families can afford to live here, whether seniors can age in place, whether young people see a future in Schenectady, and whether every neighborhood shares in the city’s success.

Building a Human-Centered Economy in Schenectady

As Mayor, Orlondo Otis Hundley II would build upon Steinmetz’s legacy by ensuring that innovation directly benefits residents.

That means investing in the infrastructure people rely on every single day.

Affordable childcare should be viewed as economic infrastructure because parents cannot participate fully in the workforce without reliable care.

Reliable public transportation should connect residents to employment, education, healthcare, and recreation without forcing every family to own multiple vehicles.

Affordable housing should allow teachers, nurses, tradespeople, artists, restaurant workers, first responders, recent graduates, and longtime residents to remain in the neighborhoods they helped build.

Our electric grid should become cleaner, more resilient, and more affordable, while protecting ratepayers from unnecessary increases.

Every investment made by the City of Schenectady should answer one simple question:

Does this improve the lives of Schenectady residents?

If the answer is no, we should reconsider whether it deserves public support.

Artificial Intelligence Should Help Workers, Not Replace Them

Steinmetz embraced technology because he believed it could improve everyday life.

That same principle should guide Schenectady’s approach to artificial intelligence.

AI should eliminate repetitive, dangerous, and time-consuming tasks, allowing people to spend more time creating businesses, teaching students, caring for loved ones, solving complex problems, producing art, conducting research, and strengthening our neighborhoods.

The future should not be about replacing workers.

It should be about empowering workers.

If new technology increases productivity, the benefits should be shared with the people whose work makes that productivity possible.

Schenectady Can Lead the Next Industrial Revolution

More than one hundred years ago, people around the world looked to Schenectady for the future of electricity.

There is no reason they cannot look here again.

Artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced technology will shape the next century, but innovation must serve people, not replace them.

I support AI that improves healthcare, education, public services, and worker safety. At the same time, I believe technology should create opportunity, not eliminate good-paying jobs without a plan for the people affected. As automation grows, Schenectady must invest in workforce training, apprenticeships, and lifelong learning so residents are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.

Data centers and other large technology projects should also be evaluated based on their long-term impact on our community. We should prioritize projects that create quality jobs, use resources responsibly, and provide lasting public benefits. Economic development should strengthen Schenectady, not strain its infrastructure while offering little in return.

Innovation must never come at the expense of privacy. My administration will support transparency and accountability in the use of surveillance technology, protecting residents' civil liberties while embracing technology that genuinely improves public safety.

The future belongs to cities that use technology to empower people. My goal is to make Schenectady a national leader in ethical innovation, where AI strengthens our workforce, protects our freedoms, and creates prosperity that benefits the people who already call this city home.A New Vision for Schenectady

My vision as Mayor is simple.

I want Schenectady to become the best place in New York to raise a family, start a business, build a career, create art, receive an education, retire with dignity, and grow old surrounded by community.

That means making childcare more affordable.

Building more housing that working families can actually afford.

Improving public transportation.

Supporting neighborhood small businesses.

Expanding apprenticeships and workforce training.

Modernizing our infrastructure.

Investing in our parks, libraries, schools, and community spaces.

Protecting our environment.

Ensuring every resident, regardless of age, income, race, neighborhood, disability, or background, has the opportunity to succeed.

Honoring the Past by Building the Future

The greatest way to honor Charles Proteus Steinmetz is not by simply remembering his accomplishments.

It is by embracing the values that made those accomplishments possible.

Curiosity.

Public service.

Education.

Scientific progress.

Compassion.

A belief that innovation should improve human life.

As Orlondo Otis Hundley II, candidate for Mayor of Schenectady, I believe our city can once again become known around the world, not only for what we invent, but for how we care for the people who live here.

The next chapter of Schenectady’s history should not simply celebrate the legacy of Charles Proteus Steinmetz.

It should prove that his vision is still alive, and that Schenectady remains a city where bold ideas, public investment, and innovation come together to build a stronger future for everyone.