On The Sly

It is fitting that the new mayor of the city of Plattsburgh be Mayor Stewart. The city's transition from one mayor to the next just happens to be a transition from Mayor Daniel Stewart to Mayor Jack Stewart. I know the other men who expressed interest in the six-month interim position. Both Mike Drew and Clay Morris would have given the job an honest effort. Both run businesses of their own and have been involved in a budgeting process in one fashion or another, but neither matches the experience of Jack Stewart.

And Mayor Dan Stewart's tenure as the city's mayor has been a good one. He saw the city through a growing period and he was an excellent leader. As mayor, he was active in the community and had a sense of humor unlike any of his predecessors. He will be well-remembered by the city's historians.

You can bet that Jack Stewart will give 100% to the office of mayor. He's going to enjoy the challenge. He's been away from city government for awhile, he returns refreshed, and he has the perspective of being a retired educator and living on a fixed income (supplemented by his love of eBay). As he works on the city budget he will have the city taxpayer in mind.

Jack Stewart is a historian. He taught social studies in the Plattsburgh City School District for over thirty years and he has spent almost that amount of time sitting at the Common Council tables. He could have said no when he was approached about the mayoral position. He could have said no to the person, but not to the city. Jack Stewart loves the city of Plattsburgh. Ask him about the department heads and blue-collar workers who put their time in every day and Jack Stewart will get emotional. I know Jack Stewart and I know there is no way that he could have said no to the task. His sense of history and his love of the people of this city guided his heart in the decision to accept the challenge.

That's why I know he will give this short-term job a great effort. He will come up with answers. His experience and his desire for success will lead the way during the budget process, the main task Stewart is facing.

And you can bet the media will have plenty of quotes to use in their evening news reports and newspaper stories. Jack has never been accused of being a man of a few words. Joe Lo Templio, the Press-Republican's reporter for city government, better plan on extra time when he calls the mayor's office with questions. Several years ago I sat with Jack Stewart for a "Fox on the Run" interview. We talked about his childhood, we talked about his career as an educator, we talked about his career in politics and we talked about his family. It is the only two-hour "Fox on the Run" interview that I've ever done and I only had to ask three questions!

Mayor Stewart did a great job in the past! The new Mayor Stewart will do a great job in the months ahead. He's going to love every minute of it.

And let's not forget -- one of the first decisions Jack ever made in the city of Plattsburgh was to ask a Fox Hill girl to marry him. Years ago Lynda D'avignon accepted his proposal. He knew that you can't go wrong with a Fox Hill girl! She'll make the city a great First Lady.