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By KIM SMITH DEDAM
SARANAC LAKE — Former Plattsburgh Mayor Clyde Rabideau Jr. is back in the political spotlight, nominated as Democratic candidate for mayor here.
Political caucuses chose their candidates Tuesday night for village elections, which will be held in March. Nominees include some familiar names and a few political newcomers.
DEMOCRATS
The Democrats chose Rabideau as their mayoral contender and incumbent Trustee Susan Waters and former Mayor Thomas Catillaz to run for two open seats on the Village Board.
Rabideau, CEO and owner of a local construction company, served as mayor of Plattsburgh from 1990 to 2000 and came in third in a bid for lieutenant governor, endorsed by the speaker of the New York City Council Peter Vallone, in 1998.
He moved to Saranac Lake about six years ago.
Saranac Lake Mayor Tom Michael said 65 people attended the Democratic gathering.
"There is a lot of interest in the Democratic Party in the village; it shows a great deal of support for our community."
He offered his support for Rabideau.
"It was increasingly difficult for me to provide the time necessary to do the job because of my business travel. When Clyde stepped up, I felt comfortable that he would continue working in the direction of progress and keep Saranac Lake a leading community inside the park. I did offer him my support and told him any way I can help, I will."
Rabideau said his construction company started working at Paul Smith's College campus in 2000 and that he was commuting from Plattsburgh every day for three years. Then he purchased a house in Saranac Lake.
"I embraced the community when I moved here. These are fantastic people. It's quite an honor to be nominated to run for mayor. It's all about what my parents taught me — you know, you help the community in which you live."
Rabideau said the 10 years out of office has given him time to reflect on the 10 years he spent in office.
"I see jobs as the primary focus for the future and jobs take three tracks in Saranac Lake. The first track is providing local resources for local people, wood and water and local business. The second track is the Internet-based home-office opportunity. The third track is health-care related, spearheaded by Trudeau Institute. I think there are opportunities to build there, and it is a sustainable opportunity for Saranac Lake.
"Because of my experience in Plattsburgh with closure of the Air Force Base, I understand we have to do everything we can to keep our businesses here with a very comprehensive review of job creation and job retention."
Catillaz, who is chairman of the Democratic Caucus, said they nominated Village Justice Paul Herrmann for re-election to one of two open justice seats, along with Jon Vinograd, who ran for a School Board seat last year.
REPUBLICANS
The Republican Party nominated current Village Trustee Jeffrey Branch as their mayoral candidate.
Diana Howard and Elias Pelletieri were picked to run for Village Board from a field of three eligible candidates.
Pelletieri was picked to run on the Republican Party line, alongside his nomination for the seat as a Conservative.
Harrietstown Town Justice Thomas Glover was chosen to run for the village justice seat held by Herrmann, and Ken McLaughlin was nominated to run for the unexpired justice term opened when Charles Bell resigned in December.
They were selected from a field of five interested in holding a seat on the bench.
Glover can serve concurrently as both town and village justice, Scollins said.
"As a newcomer, Ken McLaughlin has a background in criminal justice. He worked his way through the Department of Corrections up to deputy superintendent."
Scollins said 37 Republicans attended the caucus.
"I feel we have a very strong slate for this election. We're delighted to bring forward candidates known to be fiscal conservatives. Both of our justice candidates are fair-minded, with a focus on having people held accountable for what they do."
After the caucus, Branch said he was delighted with the nomination and eager to begin.
"I'm looking forward to the campaign and working with village taxpayers to reduce spending."
Conservatives met Tuesday night and put Branch on their party ticket for mayor.
McLaughlin will also run for justice as a Conservative.
Party nominations will be filed with the village by Thursday, and candidates have to formally accept by Friday.
Election Day in Saranac Lake is Tuesday, March 16.
E-mail Kim Smith Dedam at: kdedam@pressrepublican.com
