TUPPER LAKE — The Tupper Lake Republican Party held its caucus for the 2019 election cycle Tuesday. Town and village members up for re-election were nominated, with none being contested from within the party.

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Town

Town board Councilwomen Mary Fontana and Tracy Luton were both nominated for second four-year terms. Fontana was nominated by town Supervisor Patti Littlefield, with a second from Rick Reandeau, and Luton was nominated by Brent Cook, with a second from Rick Reandeau.

“I look forward to running again and I thank everyone for their support,” Luton said. “I love Tupper Lake and love seeing all the progress we are all making together.”

“We all look forward to continuing to serve the great community we live in,” Fontana said.

Town Highway Superintendent Billy Dechene was also nominated for re-election to another four-year term.

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Village

Incumbent village Mayor Paul Maroun was nominated by David “Haji” Maroun and Mike Russell for another two-year term. Village board Trustees Leon LeBlanc and Ron LaScala were both nominated by Mayor Paul Maroun for two-year terms. LeBlanc has spent around a dozen years on the village board, staying on even after he retired from the Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter and Marine Corp League chapter, which he founded.

“I just love to be involved with our community,” LeBlanc said. “I just like working for our people, making sure they get the best for their dollar and keeping everybody safe in our community.”

LeBlanc said he wants keep taxes down, promote more industry and continue upkeep on the village infrastructure.

LaScala has had two terms on the board and said he wants to continue bringing conversation and solutions to board meetings. One conversation he is focused on is pushing for a study of possible town and village coterminous governance. He had previously been registered as a Democrat but changed his party affiliation to Republican this year.

He said he is in favor of increasing taxes for improved services, within limit.

“I try to hold the line on the taxes, try to not spend more tax dollars than we need to,” LaScala said. “But at the same time we’ve got to re-invest in ourselves or else we aren’t going to get anywhere.”

LaScala said he won’t be campaigning over the summer, so much as proving his worth on the board during its monthly meetings.

“I don’t think knocking on doors would be a good use of my time,” LaScala said. “I think the people know what they get when they elect Ron LaScala.

“Professionally, this has been one of the most personally fulfilling things that I’ve done,” he said.