ELIZABETHTOWN — Essex County Highway Superintendent Frederick Buck surprised county lawmakers Monday by announcing his pending retirement.
Buck told the County Board of Supervisors he's been thinking for some time about retiring but finally made up his mind last week.
His retirement is effective Dec. 18.
The County Public Works Committee immediately named Deputy Superintendent Anthony LaVigne to take Buck's place.
LaVigne must be confirmed by final vote Dec. 7. His salary will need to be determined by then, County Manager Daniel Palmer said.
Buck was making about $85,600 after 16 years on the job, and LaVigne, after 25 years with the county, received $71,000. LaVigne is a licensed engineer.
A Crown Point resident, Buck came to the county after working for a private construction firm.
Supervisor William Ferebee (R-Keene), vice chair of the Public Works Committee, praised the work done by Buck during his tenure.
"Any question or concern I had in the Town of Keene he answered. I know I'll miss him. He did a good job."
When Buck started as highway chief, the county's roads were in need of repair, Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah) said.
"The condition of the infrastructure in this county was deplorable. Fred has worked hard to upgrade our highways. He will surely be missed."
Scozzafava said that since the closure of the Champlain Bridge at Crown Point, Buck has worked to find alternatives and get things on the path to a new bridge.
The bridge closed Oct. 16 after severe cracks were found in concrete piers. The state has promised to build a new span as quickly as possible and start a free ferry service next to the bridge in the meantime.
Buck said he will stay active on the Champlain Bridge Public Advisory Committee.
He recommended the county promote LaVigne.
"I would highly like to recommend my deputy, Tony LaVigne, to replace me as superintendent. I have never known as hard a worker as Tony."
Supervisor Dale French (R-Crown Point) moved to advance LaVigne to superintendent.
"I feel Anthony LaVigne can more than do the job," Scozzafava said.
Board of Supervisors Chair Cathy Moses (R-Schroon) said Buck has done an excellent job and that she believes LaVigne will also.
"I think Tony is the right person."
E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
Lohr McKinstry
-
Lohr McKinstry
Discussion
ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.
Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.
Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.
We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.
Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:
There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.
Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.
Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.
Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)
Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”
Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.
Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.
Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.
In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.
Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.
We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
Essex highway chief retires
<img src="/homepage/images_image_276103054" alt="•"> Deputy expected to take county superintendent's position Dec. 18
- Breaking News
-
-
Montreal woman dies in Westport crash
Angela Pierre, 69, was ejected from the vehicle when its driver lost control on Interstate 87 in Westport.
-
Burlington hospital makes interim chief permanent
Fletcher Allen Health Care announced today that Dr. John Brumsted will move from interim to permanent president and CEO.
-
Montreal woman dies in Westport crash
- New Today
-
-
Recovery Center to hold open house
Smashing stereotypes and eliminating the stigma of mental-health issues has led to formation of a new place in Franklin County for clients to get wrap-around services to help them rejoin the community.
-
Recovery Center to hold open house
- Local News
-
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
-
One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
-
Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
-
Love between the lines
Dr. Nell Irvin Painter of New Russia and Plattsburgh State's Dr. J.W. Wiley share historical and current viewpoints on interracial loving, American-style.
-
NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
-
Cheerleading photos (2/12/12)
-
Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
-
Lookback: Feb. 13-19
News stories from around the region from 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago this week.
-
Of Interest: Feb. 13, 2012
Peru Central School Board to hold budget discussion; Dannemora to discuss highway post; Beekmantown School Board invites budget input; Willsboro School Board to discuss policies; Chazy School Board to discuss budget; SLCS Board to appoint clerk pro-tem; Keeseville Zoning Board cancels meeting; Elizabethtown-Lewis School Board to work on budget.
-
Gourds' shapes create interesting canvas
Georgette Bacon's gourd art is on display through March 10 at Foothills ARTSociety in Malone.
- February 12, 2012
-
NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
-
One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
-
Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
-
Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
-
Attempted-murder trial set
The case against Robert J. McCann, who is charged with trying to kill his former girlfriend at a secluded Westville site, begins Tuesday in Franklin County Court.
-
A historic battle for interracial marriage
Forty-five years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all remaining state bans on interracial marriage in Loving v. Virginia.
-
Fireworks to close weekend carnival
The final day of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is filled with activities and events. INCLUDES VIDEO
-
- Recent Article Comments
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
