A political newcomer has thrown her name into the ring as a candidate to represent the city as a member of the Rensselaer County Legislature this fall.

Kathleen Ryan Cassidy, a lifelong Trojan, plans to run on the Democratic candidate for District 1, which encompasses the city, and hopes to try and find ways to make county government more efficient.

“I would like to evaluate the work of the Legislature through the eyes of an ordinary, everyday citizen and will be committed to reducing costs, creating efficiencies, and adding ‘green’ initiatives wherever possible,” said Cassidy.

Cassidy currently works as the coordinator of human resources in the Ballston Spa Central School District and formerly worked as a speech-language pathologist at the Rensselaer County Health Department before running her out private practice for nearly 15 years. She also has been involved in activities and parent groups with the Troy School District for more than 20 years, an active member of the Troy Booster Club, and is currently serving as chair of the Troy Educational Pride Foundation.

“I look forward to running a positive campaign focused on my ability to represent the residents of Troy," said Cassidy. "I am eager to work toward creating a more efficient government and reducing the tax burden we face in these challenging economic times.”