Clinton County resident Supreme Court Justice, John A. Lahtinen is running for re-election this year.

Judge Lahtinen was appointed to the Supreme Court, Fourth Judicial District by Governor George E. Pataki in June 1997.  He was elected to a full 14-year term in November 1997.  From June 1997 to March 2000 Judge Lahtinen served on the trial bench where he tried and settled many cases in this district and New York City and always did so with integrity and fairness. 

In March 2000, he was appointed by Governor Pataki to the Appellate Division of Supreme Court for the Third Judicial Department where he has served with distinction for the past 11 years.  His tenure on the Appellate Division is the longest of the four justices from Clinton County who have served on that Court in its 115 year history.  Since Judge Lahtinen's appointment to the Appellate Division as an Associate Justice he has written in excess of 1300 decisions and participated in more than 9000 appeals.  His judicial opinions have helped to shape the law of this State. 

There are presently four announced candidates for three vacancies in the Supreme Court, Fourth Judicial District.  Judge Lahtinen is the only candidate running for re-election.  The Fourth Judicial District is comprised of the Counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Schenectady, St. Lawrence, Warren and Washington.  Judge Lahtinen is the only sitting Supreme Court Justice within a radius of 100 miles of Plattsburgh. 

Judge Lahtinen has served us well and I ask you to consider helping his costly re-election effort in this 11 county district by forwarding your contribution to:  Committee to Re-Elect Judge Lahtinen, 95 Ashley Road, Plattsburgh, New York 12901.

The incumbent -

ethic problems - hiring future son in law for head of air port security

leadership challenges - allowing the escape of Kulakov who shot  a trooper in the head

misuse of county and grant moneys.

The challenger -

Fired because he lost his right to carry a weapon why.

Recently lost an appeal to return to the sheriffs department in court.

ethic problems - as a lieutenant, he continued to serve as the union representative for the deputies and correction officers.

Bring these issues out, build on them, in 2014 beat the incumbent!

The primary is coming soon. It is important as republicans to rally the troops and ensure we get people out to voice their opinions.

This will not happen without us ensuring people know our candidates. It is our duty to get the word out.

Alicia Sirk - Profile Link
CANDIDATE FOR TOWN OF PLATTSBURGH
TOWN CLERK

PLATFORM: I have always believed that public service should be a selfless act, performed for the betterment of society. With that said, I intend to serve the public at THEIR convenience, not at mine! I intend to be respectful of the working public, as well as senior citizens and college students, by having office hours that cater to them. I intend to have early morning hours, evening hours, and hours by appointment! Other things I would like to see are regularly updated Town Board Minutes that are posted on the website, and in a timely manner and contain more than just resolutions and voting records as it currently does. I feel that all town residents should have immediate access to this information and shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get it. The more transparent a government is, the more people will trust their representatives, and the better local government is able to operate. Finally, I will use my Administrative and computer skills to get the office automated so that applications for most things can be completed and submitted online, with the ability to make online payments as well. In this day in age, this component is essential to make the office run more efficiently.

Visit Alicia on our social network section by clicking here.

John St Germain - Profile Link
CANDIDATE FOR TOWN OF PLATTSBURGH
TOWN COUNCILMAN

My wife Mary Ann and I have made our home in Cadyville for 50 years.During that time we have raised two children, Johnnel and Joel. I have retired from my own construction business. In 1971 voters elected me to the Saranac School Board. During 7 years of serving on that board, I developed an understanding of governmnet budgeting and needs. I was instrumental in implementing tax exemptions for the elderly.

Visit John on our social network section by clicking here.

As New Yorkers look for leadership and direction from their state government, Republicans are working for solutions rather than partisan politics.

Two weeks ago, Senate Republicans and some enlightened Democrats joined together in a bipartisan fashion to enact real tangible reforms.  Sadly, Democrat leaders have ignored the legal and binding votes to change the way government does business.  If the Democrat leaders have legitimate concerns beyond their own shallow quest to hang on to power, they should agree to binding arbitration by an impartial third party.

If they are unwilling to even take that step, they should agree to the fair, comprehensive and detailed power sharing operating proposal-wisely proposed by Senate Republicans– which would enable the Senate to function in an equitable fashion and do the people’s business.

The Senate Republicans continue to offer solution after solution, only to be stonewalled by the Senate Democrat leadership.

We are a nation at war and in the midst of an economic crisis, yet the only thing the Democrat leaders seem to care about are shameless publicity stunts and endless legal maneuvers to cling to power they have rightly lost.

It is past time for the Democrats to listen to the public, respond to the sensible proposals offered by the Republicans and get government back to work.

The Clinton County Republican Party now has a new web site located at http://www.northcountrygop.org