To the editor:

I am writing regarding Village Trustee Kelly Brunette, who is currently campaigning for mayor on a platform centered around transparency and affordability. These are values that matter deeply to our community, and they deserve thoughtful examination.

Public records indicate that trustee Brunette purchased a home at 59 Maryland Ave. in Saranac Lake in March of 2024 for $210,000 and later sold that same property in December of 2025 for $515,000. As the former code enforcement official for the Village of Saranac Lake at that time, I reviewed the village records and found no building permits or inspection records filed with the local code enforcement office during that period.

Given the significant increase in the sale price, it is reasonable for residents to ask questions. Transparency is not simply a campaign slogan; it is a responsibility. When property values rise so dramatically without documented permits or inspections, it raises concerns about process, compliance and fairness.

Beyond regulatory questions, this situation also speaks to affordability. Dramatic price increases like this do little to help middle-class families remain in Saranac Lake and raise their children in the community many of us care deeply about. Housing affordability is not an abstract talking point; it is a lived reality for working families here.

I would also like to address a recent letter published by the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, written by Mr. Tom Catillaz. In his letter, he referenced his long tenure as a board member in support of certain statements. While experience in public service is commendable, claims presented to the public, particularly when published in our local newspaper, should be supported with documentation. Providing verifiable records would strengthen public trust and ensure readers are fully informed.

In both cases, documentation matters. Whether discussing property transactions, regulatory compliance or policy claims, our community deserves transparency backed by records, not simply assurances. Public trust depends on it.

Chris McClatchie

Saranac Lake