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By LOHR McKINSTRY
ELIZABETHTOWN — Jay Supervisor Randy Douglas said Friday he's secured enough votes to be the next chairman of the Essex County Board of Supervisors.
Douglas would be the first Democrat to serve as chairman since 1979.
VOTE IN JANUARY
The board doesn't vote on the selection until its annual organizational meeting in January, but Douglas and Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah) have been vying for the post since Ronald Jackson lost his re-election bid in November.
Jackson (R-Essex) is vice chairman of the Board of Supervisors and was in line to be chairman next year, succeeding Cathy Moses (R-Schroon), who has served the traditional two years in the position.
By Friday, Douglas said he had garnered enough pledges of support from his colleagues on the 18-member board to take the chairman's job. He needs at least 10 votes to win election on Monday, Jan. 4.
The board will comprise 10 Republicans, six Democrats and two independents next year. Many supervisors had planned to cross party lines to vote for either Douglas or Scozzafava.
SCOZZAFAVA WITHDRAWS
Scozzafava said he took his name out of consideration because, although he had the tentative backing of nine supervisors, some of his Republican supporters told him they'd vote for Douglas in case of a tie.
"It was a battle I couldn't win. I can be more effective from the floor anyway."
Scozzafava has voiced opposition to what he believes is excessive spending by the county and has sometimes clashed with other Republicans on the board and with County Manager Daniel Palmer.
Scozzafava also supported District Attorney Julie Garcia for re-election, even though the County Republican Party had endorsed Kristy Sprague, who won.
Scozzafava's running mate for the vice chairman's spot was Supervisor Daniel Connell (D-Westport).
POLITI TO BE VICE CHAIR
Douglas first took office as Jay supervisor in 2004. He said he believes he now has enough experience to chair the Board of Supervisors
"Six years ago, I was not prepared to be chairman of this board, but now I'm ready and able to serve the people of Essex County to the best of my ability."
His running mate for vice chair was Supervisor Roby Politi (R-North Elba), who serves on the board as a Republican but was elected as an independent. Politi starts his second term in January.
Douglas said he and Politi believe their bi-partisan approach will be successful.
"I appreciate all the support Roby and I have received. It's crucial that different party lines work together, so we can reach the goals that will benefit our constituents."
TACKLING DEFICIT
He said one of his first actions as chairman will be to appoint an ad hoc deficit-reduction committee.
"We're looking forward to working with all the county department heads and elected officials, as well as all employees of Essex County, to plan an attack at deficit reduction."
Palmer has said that, without intervention, the 2011 county budget could have a tax-levy hike as high as 38 percent.
Douglas chairs the County Transportation Subcommittee and is on the executive committee of the State Association of Counties.
Before becoming supervisor, he was on the staff of the Adirondack State Correctional Facility in Ray Brook.
The Douglas family has a record of public service to the Town of Jay and Essex County for more than four decades. Randy Douglas's father, Thomas A. Douglas, served as Jay supervisor from 1972 to 1980 and from 1998 to 2000. His grandfather, Arthur J. Douglas, served as Jay supervisor from 1966 to 1972.
Politi is a business leader and former mayor of the Village of Lake Placid.
E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com
