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Chazy, Beekmantown residents ask Clinton County Legislature to hold special election for Area 3 vacancy
Summary
Multiple residents from Chazy and Beekmantown asked the Clinton County Legislature on Dec. 27, 2017 to hold a special election—rather than appoint a replacement—if a vacancy occurs in Legislative Area 3. Speakers said the towns budgeted for a vote and submitted a letter estimating the cost at about $6,000.
Several residents urged the Clinton County Legislature on Dec. 27, 2017 to require a special election if a vacancy occurs in Legislative Area 3, which covers the towns of Chazy and Beekmantown.
Joey Trombley of Chazy told the Legislature he wanted officials to "consider holding a special election (rather than appointing an individual) to fill the vacancy" and asked that the residents of Area 3 be allowed to decide who represents them. A number of other local residents and officials voiced the same request at the meeting.
Representatives who addressed the Legislature said the towns had budgeted funds for a special election. A written "Letter of Encouragement" submitted to the record stated the towns had included the election cost in their 2018 town tax rates and estimated the combined cost at approximately $6,000. "Elections are always the first and best choice," the letter said, arguing an appointment would be viewed as "a purely political act to maintain control."
Mark Henry, supervisor for the Town of Chazy, told legislators he had heard from residents who want an elected representative and said an appointment "can be seen as intent to circumvent the will of the people." Other speakers who addressed the Legislature included William Laundry of the Clinton County Historical Association, Jim Mann, Bill Arthur and Cathy Devins, a Chazy town board member.
The Legislature heard the comments during the public comment portion of the meeting; no formal action on how to fill a potential vacancy was recorded that evening.
