Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton will have some competition in next year's mayor's race. Roger Hull announced he's running for the city's top job Thursday. But residents already knew him by a different title at one time: President of Union College. Our Solomon Syed has more.

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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- "At this point, it would be a passing grade."

Former Union College President Roger Hull refused to give Mayor Brian Stratton a failing grade for his seven years in office. But standing right outside Stratton's door in city hall, he wasn't about to move the mayor or the Democratic Party, to the head of the class either.

"[It's} not whether he would have a passing grade or what his letter grade would be on that exam. The point is no one benefits if you have one party controlling everything," Hull said.

Flanked by his steering committee comprised of both Democrats and Republicans, the registered independent said his run for mayor will focus on lower taxes, term limits and delivering on a promise not to make secret deals.

When asked if that was a reference to Mayor Stratton's agreement to pay Fire Chief Robert Farstad $117,000 in overtime to make up for his smaller pension, Hull replied, "As I said, I'm not here to engage in any personal attacks. I'd simply say there wouldn't be any such deals under my administration."

"At one time, there was a contract for America," said Alliance Party steering committee member Michael Brockbank. "We're going to call it a contract for Schenectady."

Hull's newly formed Alliance Party will run Republicans, Democrats and Independents for four city council spots available in next November's election. It's billed as an effort to end one-party domination that already resonates with one of Schenectady's most prominent citizens.

"You need ideas, you need people who are willing to work together to face problems," said Price Chopper president Neil Golub.

A secretary in Mayor Stratton's office said he was out of town, but he did release a statement late Thursday afternoon, saying he embraces the challenge but that right now: "This is the Holiday season and our thoughts should be toward family and faith. There will be plenty of time for political discussions and campaigns in 2011."

Hull says it'll take a monumental fundraising effort to wrestle control of city hall away from what he calls the "Democratic machine." About $200,000 is what he'll need.

He's not ruling out throwing in his own cash to make it happen.