Former Scottsville Mayor Paul Gee (center) socializes at a reception in his honor. Photo by Jennifer Crowley
BY JENNIFER CROWLEY
Having grown up the son of politically minded and active parents, it isn’t surprising that Paul Gee found his way into town politics. Earlier this year the man who once tagged along to events and even helped campaign as a child, wrapped up two terms as Scottsville mayor. On Saturday, Gee’s family, friends and supporters gathered at the Scottsville Fire Department Pavilion to thank him for his eight years of service.
As Gee found himself flanked by dozens of current and former members of various village boards, coworkers, appreciative residents and even 12th District Legislator Steve Brew, he took the opportunity to express his gratitude for all the encouragement received over the years.
Gee, who worked as an automotive technician outside of his political career, and wife Bridgett moved to Scottsville in 1987. The couple soon had daughter Tessie in 1988 and then sister Madeline followed in 1994. Maddie’s life was tragically lost in a car crash in September 2014. Only months earlier Gee had been re-elected in an unopposed race. He continued to pursue an ambitious agenda, though was simultaneously grieving.
When asked to reflect back on the accomplishments he is most proud of following his eight-year mayoral tenure, Gee first spoke of sizable infrastructure-related achievements. “In 2013 the village converted from a wastewater treatment plant that was badly aging, over to a county pump. This created a shared service between Scottsville, Wheatland and Monroe County, helping save millions of dollars that would have otherwise been spent on plant renovations,” according to Gee.
Another high profile project that Gee helped shepard was the 2016 installation of a solar array. He explained that all municipal power costs are offset by energy produced by the array, one of the first steps in becoming a clean energy community. “That was an exciting project as it gave us the designation of a ‘Net Zero’ community meaning the array provides enough electricity to meet the demand of every Scottsville municipal facility. In other words, we now produce all of the power that we consume.”
Beyond public works projects, Gee spent considerable time on the reorganization and restructuring of the Scottsville Fire Department with an eye towards sustainability. He was also active in the grant procurement process for the village. He referenced improvements to Johnson Park and sidewalk repairs as both being at least partially funded by grant monies. In total Gee estimates that $1.5 million in grant money was awarded to Scottsville over the course of his time in village government.
In March the village elected former teacher Eileen Hansen as mayor. In talking about ongoing financial pressures that Scottsville, like any small municipality, today faces, Gee could only offer words of empathy and stressed the importance of thinking outside the box. “Take our solar array as an example, is there an opportunity for future energy savings from LED street lights? Or could it be a model for a community solar array for homeowners?”
Gee was emotional on Saturday as he thanked reception-goers for their support. As for what he may do in his newfound free time, wife Bridgett joked that he is currently intrigued by a career in garlic farming. “Gee Bulbs” coming to a farmstand near you soon? Only time will tell.
