TICONDEROGA — Community advocate Robert Pell-deChame says he's running for Ticonderoga supervisor because he has a vision of improvement for the town.
With incumbent Town Supervisor Robert C. Dedrick not running for re-election, Pell-deChame wants to make sure Ticonderoga stays on the right track.
"I've had an opportunity to work with Bob for the last seven years. Bob has set down a very strong foundation (for the town). I don't think we should have a hiccup, at this point."
Pell-deChame said he's circulating Republican designating petitions now and also plans to run as an independent.
CONTACTS
He attended St. Mary's School in Ticonderoga, Fordham University in New York City and the Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia.
As a founder of the Main Street Partnership that's seeking to rejuvenate downtown Ticonderoga, he said, he's had a chance to see where people's thinking is on a variety of issues in the community.
And, as a member of the Pell family that restored Fort Ticonderoga, Pell-deChame said, he has extensive contacts that could benefit the community.
"I'd like to put those to work to achieve certain goals."
HOPELINE EFFORTS
He was recently a member of the Board of Directors of the National Hopeline Network of community-based crisis-intervention and suicide-prevention centers.
Hopeline Network President Pope Simmons praised Pell-deChame's work.
"Rob agreed to come onto our board precisely at the time that the National Hopeline Network, despite receiving and routing up to 3,000 calls daily from individuals in crisis, lost all federal funding.
"During this period, Rob not only was instrumental in helping the National Hopeline Network retire all its debt but personally helped raise more than $1 million for suicide-prevention services."
Simmons said Pell-deChame worked hard as an advocate for Hopeline.
"Rob garnered incredible support among the general public, as a speaker and advocate. He was able ... to unite often disparate groups around a single mission."
GOALS
Pell-deChame said he hopes to bring those skills to the job of town supervisor and would focus on community goals.
"You have to pay attention to carefully planned and sustainable growth in Ticonderoga."
He said the town has long revolved around International Paper's Ticonderoga mill, which employs 600 people. Although everyone hopes the mill will be around for a long time, they must be prepared if it isn't, he said.
"We have to start planning as if the mill will close tomorrow. With the economy in this condition, we have to be prepared."
International Paper has closed numerous mills in recent years, including its nearby Hudson River Mill in Lake Luzerne.
With his experience at Hopeline, Pell-deChame said, he knows how to manage diverse groups of people.
"The supervisor can be an advocate for the various pieces that run our community. We want an environment where young people want to stay here and become involved. The supervisor needs to get out there and be one of the best salespeople for the town."
With Fort Ticonderoga so ingrained in the community, it's time to create a history-based economy, he said.
"Now, tourists arrive and leave (the fort). We need things for them to do. The fort must not have the monopoly on history.
"One of my goals as supervisor would be to bring that big vision to Ticonderoga with meaningful results."
E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com
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