LaScala has been testing the waters for a race against Maroun for the past couple of months, but he said he feels it is not the right time for him to run. He gave several reasons for this.

First, he said he wants to be able to spend time with his with his kids while they are still kids.

“To do the job correctly I feel like I would have to spend (three) days a week in Malone to build the relationships and gain a real fluency of the issues to be an effective voice/advocate for the people of Tupper Lake,” LaScala wrote in a Facebook post on his political account. “My family time means everything to me and as my oldest daughter graduates in a few short months and my youngest daughter headed into middle high school this September I realize how quick the time (flies).”

In his Facebook post he talked about how politics can be hard on his family, who face reactions to his action at work and while talking with people around town.

Paul Maroun smiles this week in Tupper Lake, where he is village mayor and representative to the Franklin County Board of Legislators. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)

While he believes he could do a good job himself, LaScala only spoke highly of the current leadership by Maroun. Maroun has nearly 30 years of experience with the county legislature, and LaScala said that if he ran for that seat he would be starting completely fresh.

“I didn’t want to start at square one,” LaScala said.

Maroun has been supportive of competition in the race, and LaScala said he has been sort of mentoring him on county issues.

“I really do appreciate Paul being so encouraging and showing me stuff about the county,” LaScala said.

He said Maroun truly cares about Tupper Lake.

LaScala said he may run for a county seat in the future, but he wants to finish what he’s started with the village before trying to take on county issues.