Kenneth C. Crowe II is reporting in the Albany Times Union the Democrat and Republican candidates for Rensselaer County Executive spoke Mon., Oct. 2, at a candidate forum sponsored by the Troy Neighborhood Action Council. Democrat Andrea Smyth of Rensselaer and Steven McLaughlin, of Troy, and a member of the state Assembly, both said they would chart a new way for the county to operate if they are elected in November. The two candidates fielded questions submitted by the audience for nearly an hour. “This county needs to get its mojo back,” said McLaughlin. Smyth said she has a vision to turn around county government and improve residents’ lives. She identified infrastructure improvements, particularly to water systems and quality, providing shovel ready sites for economic development and expanding economic opportunities as important issues. McLaughlin also cited the need for infrastructure improvements, pointing to his efforts in Hoosick Falls to battle drinking water contamination. He also said he would expand economic development across the county as a means to provide jobs. Green Party Candidate Wayne Foy did not attend the forum. Read the full story in the Times Union.