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November 3, 2009

Giroux defeats Mannix for Clinton County treasurer

By DAN HEATH

PLATTSBURGH — Incumbent Clinton County Treasurer Joseph Giroux defeated Democratic challenger Martin Mannix Tuesday night.

Republican Giroux won the four-year term by a 10,586-to-7,574 vote.

"I think being the incumbent and my experience didn't hurt me any," Giroux said. "It showed my eight years as a county legislator and three years as treasurer didn't hurt."

Mannix said he wasn't sure why the election turned out the way it did.

"We'll probably have to look at some numbers after the dust has settled."

He later went to the Republican headquarters at the West Side Ballroom to offer his concession.

Giroux said he is looking forward to his next four years in office.

"I really enjoy the job I have and hope that for the next four years I can continue to be the people person I am."

While people told him the race was very quiet, Giroux said, it wasn't for him.

He said Mannix challenged his Independence Party petitions in Surrogate Court, appealed the initial decision and was denied both times. That process took about a month.

Mannix said he believes that endorsement affected the election.

"Not a single Democrat in Clinton County got an endorsement from the Independence Party."

While some people in that party may believe they are independent, Mannix said, they are actually heavily influenced by the Republican Party.

Mannix said it was a positive campaign.

"I was very happy with the campaign I ran and equally so with Joe's campaign. I think both of us were pleased it happened that way."

Giroux said he kept the campaign on a positive note, with a focus on what he has done and plans to do.

"I don't think people like a negative campaign. I was very careful to keep it on the up and up."

During his next term in office, Giroux plans to work toward a centralized data base with Internet access for taxpayers. It would allow for online payment of taxes by electronic check or credit card.

He also plans to work with towns to try to keep contaminated parcels on the tax rolls. Instead of foreclosing on those parcels, Giroux will work with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation so the parcels are cleaned up and on the tax roll.

Giroux also will continue to work with the City of Plattsburgh School District to collect its taxes as a shared-services initiative.

Mannix will now look to finish the final two years of his term on the Plattsburgh Town Council. He will continue his community-service work and chairmanship of the Clinton County Democratic Party.

Giroux said recent developments in the 23rd Congressional District race may have worked in his favor.

"I believe the Conservative line was a plus for me, but I haven't looked at those numbers yet."

Mannix said that will be part of his examination of the numbers, but, at this point, didn't know if it had any effect.

Giroux was appointed to the position in December 2006 by then Gov. George Pataki after former Treasurer Janet Duprey left office after she was elected to the New York state Assembly. He won an election for the unexpired two-year term the following year.

E-mail Dan Heath at: dheath@pressrepublican.com

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