Last week, someone asked me, “Who was the mayor that was suggesting that Saranac Lake become a city?” Well, I don’t know the answer to that question, but that idea has probably been discussed by a number of past mayors. Also, as often happens, after that question was posed, a great piece of history carried in the Enterprise of May 17, 1985, fell into my hands from my meticulously arranged files on a shelf above my desk. Believe that, and I’ll tell you another.

I had an idea when I was village manager 20 years ago to merge our police departments in Franklin County into a county police department. Let’s be clear here, it was an idea, not a plan.

At the time, I suggested that for one year to get the merger underway. Saranac Lake could give the county the services of 13 officers (we were required to keep the department at that strength through a federal grant we received), two new vehicles and the police budget of $600,000, which was the biggest single amount in the village budget.

The idea stopped right there and never became a comprehensive plan. Now, sadly, the village can’t find enough officers to fill its roster.

The above has nothing to do with annexation, but I thought I would insert that bit of background as the big news now is trying to establish a central facility for the village police and fire departments and rescue squad.

The following, penned by Essex County Judge Richard B. Meyer as a letter to the editor, a mere 38 years ago, lays out a different plan to consolidate the municipalities. I wish I had a copy of the Enterprise editorial that prompted his letter.

“Having read your editorial plea for annexation of the Essex County portion of the village to Franklin County, I am compelled to respond. Frankly, in my opinion, it would not be in the best interest of the village to go that route.

“On the other hand, it seems to me that we should take a hard look at going the other way. Annexation to Essex County could be accomplished in two ways: (1) dissolution of the village and the creation of a new town of Saranac Lake incorporating within its boundaries the entire town of Harrietstown and those portions of the towns of St. Armand and North Elba (the two towns that lie in Essex County) are presently within the village limits; or (2) annexation of the town of Harrietstown portion of the village with either the town of St. Armand of the town of North Elba. Either way, annexation to Essex County is the better way to go. Here’s why:

“1.Essex County government is comprised of a Board of Supervisors with weighted voting. This gives the town with the greater population more voting power than those towns with fewer residents. It also allows the town supervisor to directly participate in decisions affecting his/her constituents, and a level of government (county legislators), as well as its added cost, is eliminated.

“The county legislators form of government used by Franklin County does not and can never give the village its rightful voice in county government. Each legislator has only one vote. The town supervisors have no direct say in county decisions.

“2. Over the years, Franklin County has not demonstrated that it can be responsive to the needs of the village. Saranac Lake was always given the short end of the stick. Cliff Donaldson (then county legislator) has been and is doing a credible job representing Saranac Lake’s interests. But he only has one vote, and as he admitted in a recent television interview, his sales tax plan is by no means a sure thing. He recognizes that the northern end of Franklin County has the majority of the county legislators, and almost invariably they cast their votes to protect and preserve the domination of their northern part of the county over the entire county.

“3. If the village annexes the town of Harrietstown portion to North Elba, Saranac Lake residents would have a greater say in the operation and direction of the town of North Elba. The rumor that the annexed portion of the village would have to pay North Elba Park District taxes is totally unfounded. Such taxes could never be imposed upon the Saranac Lake portion of North Elba for two reasons: (1) the statute establishing the Park District specifically limits the boundaries of the Park District to their present boundaries, and (2) any increase in the area of the Park District would require the town of North Elba to dramatically increase the amount of money it now pays to ORDA, a concept I would doubt the town board of North Elba desires.

“4. History has shown us that any annexation proceeding to bring the Essex County portion of the Village into Franklin County will cause a vigorous defense to be raised by three separate municipalities — the town of St. Armand, The town of North Elba, and Essex County. Failure to annex one of the two townships would be of no real use or benefit. The problems now existing would still remain to some degree.

“Annexation of all of the town of Harrietstown to Essex County would leave only the county of Franklin to object (if the town of Harrietstown of Harrietstown was in favor of such annexation). This would also make easier the task of convincing the court that annexation to Essex County is in the best interest of the residents of the village of Saranac Lake.

“When all factors are considered, I believe that the best interests of Saranac Lake would be better served by annexation to Essex County. Any annexation proceeding would take considerable time and effort, and there is no guarantee of success. However, if Saranac Lake is to seriously consider annexation as a means to resolve the three town, two county, division of the village, it is imperative that we consider all possibilities.”

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This reorganizing of local governments was mandated by a 1964 United States Supreme Court decision, “One Person, One Vote” rule which allowed local governments to chose the form of government they wanted just so long as it met the requirement of equal representation for all residents.

I agree wholeheartedly with Judge Meyer that the County Board of Supervisors, for the reasons he articulated, is a more efficient form of government.

During my tenure as village manager, Mayor Tom Catillaz and the village board appointed Richard B. Meyer as village attorney.

My friend, William Meyer, Judge Meyer’s dad, was the man behind the establishment of North Country Community College. It was his idea, he doggedly pursued that idea that created an ad hoc committee of five other people: Dr. Anthony Gedroiz, James Loeb, James LaPan, Harrietstown Supervisor William Mansion and Saranac Lake Mayor Howard Riley … great memories of our trips to Albany and New York City.

Mr. Meyer was honored at a dinner at the Elks Club when I, as mayor, had the privilege of delivering the charter to him that created the college.