MOUNTAIN/VALLEY — An assassination attempt of a presidential candidate. A running mate announcement at the RNC. The suspension of a presidential campaign just four months ahead of the election. The launch of a new campaign by the current vice president, whose victory would mark the first time in history that a woman of color would lead this country. July has been a whirlwind month in politics — filled with both mountains and a valleys — and we’ve still got one week left. Our hope is that the candidates for president showcase their leadership qualities, decorum and ability to unify Americans in the leadup to the election.

VALLEY –The Saranac Lake Village Board on Monday decided to release a portion of the workplace violence investigation of Mayor Jimmy Williams in response to a Freedom of Information Law request from the Enterprise. This is a valley for two reasons: One, we lament that this investigation was necessary in the first place. And two, the village’s decision to not release the full report — more than a year after the investigation was launched — is a failure to be fully transparent on a matter of great public interest. We absolutely understand the desire to protect witnesses — we believe that witnesses’ identities should not have been released by media outlets last year without their consent. But the village should release the full results of this investigation, with proper redactions to protect the personal information of witnesses. Voters deserve to see the full picture and understand what happened. We hope that the village will be transparent as it navigates this issue.

MOUNTAIN — The ongoing construction at High Peaks Church in Saranac Lake is a welcome sight. The congregation has worked hard to fundraise the money needed to complete this roughly $2.7 million project, which will do wonders to make the church more handicap accessible with the installation of an elevator, handicap accessible bathrooms and a new lobby. The fundraising still continues –we hope that the community will rally together to help the church complete its upgrades.

MOUNTAIN — Another Ironman Lake Placid triathlon in the books. The 25th running of the triathlon Sunday was a sight to see; with more than 2,400 competitors, it’s always a spectacle. Congratulations to Danielle Lewis of Boise, Idaho for earning the women’s title and to men’s title winner Trevor Foley of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida for his record-smashing 7:55:23 finish.

MOUNTAIN — Franklin County officials marked the completion of waste transportation systems at Lake Clear Transfer Station with a ribbon cutting ceremony last week, news worth celebrating. As Enterprise Intern Galen Halasz reported last week, the $1.5 million in upgrades will increase the station’s capacity and curb the number of trips needed to transport waste, saving fuel and making operations that much more efficient.