NORWICH – Running on a platform to “restore the Norwich community” to its glory days, Republican mayoral hopeful Christine Carnrike is campaigning in full force to bring new blood to City Hall.

Now with the September primary less than a week away, Carnrike said it’s time for voters to really consider who they want in the mayor’s seat for the next two-year term. Carnrike has hammered a number of issues since officially announcing her candidacy back in April, including ways she believes could attract more commerce to the downtown area, tighten the city’s budget, and address the growing drug epidemic.

“I feel that right now, we're just getting by,” said Carnrike. “Something needs to change in vision and leadership for Norwich to return to what it used to be.”

Carnrike is the first candidate to challenge present Mayor Joseph Maiurano since 2007. Maiurano has served four consecutive terms as mayor, running unopposed in 2009, 2011, and 2013. However, appearing only on the Republican line on this year’s ballot, Maiurano will be out of the running if losing to Carnrike in next week’s primary election.

“I worry about the future of the city if myself or someone else doesn’t step up for change,” Carnrike said. “When you have a new set of eyes, you may come up with a better solution. I may not have all the answers; but if given the opportunity, I will do everything I can.”

Carnrike said Norwich has a lot to offer, being centrally located between larger cities including Binghamton, Utica, Cortland and Oneonta. The challenge, she added, is giving a reason for folks to become attracted to the Norwich community and stay in the area.

“I think one of the major things we need to address is the drug issue by working closely with law enforcement and obviously the District Attorney’s Office,” she said. “It’s a pride in ownership issue. If we can get people to feel proud of the community again, I think it will have an effect.”