To the editor:

As the upcoming village trustee election nears, all types of letters to the editor have appeared that extol the various candidates’ positive traits. They all speak to the candidates being the correct choice to fix everything that ails the village. They all pledge to work harmoniously to make the village a better place.

In early 2024, Saranac Lake has tremendous upside. The village coffers are healthy, bolstered by the wise fiscal investments and decisions enacted by our young, dynamic village manager. We have new, vigorous, high-quality people acting as our clerk, our code enforcement officer and comptroller. We have a fully staffed DPW and police department. Our village is poised for great things that would have been impossible a few years ago under the previous administration. Why would we take a step back now?

Saranac Lake in 2024 has problems, too, and it needs strong leaders to address them. People who won’t quit when the problems are difficult, who won’t turn and run when hard decisions loom.

The last time Paul Van Cott was elected to the village board, he abruptly quit in December 2019, citing personal reasons and time constraints. He sought the office, was elected, and then chose to not honor the commitment he made to voters.

When Aurora White held an elected office locally, she resigned abruptly from the Saranac Lake school board. She sought the office, was elected, and then chose not to honor the commitment she made to the voters.

Sean Ryan is a former U.S. Marine. There is no quit in him. He’s been trained to finish the job.

Katie Stiles is a native Saranac Laker who may be small in stature but is very large in grit, determination and in her commitment to do the right thing. Quit is not a part of Katie, never has been.

Let’s vote for candidates who will honor their commitments. Fool us once, shame on you. Fool us twice, shame on us.

Sincerely,

Jim Murnane

Saranac Lake