The Peru Gazette

As in previous elections, the Peru Gazette asked several questions to candidates for elective offices in the Town of Peru. Current town supervisor Craig Randall is the Republican Party candidate, while the Peru Democratic Party does not have a candidate. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.

1.   Summarize your educational background, primary employment, family life and past community involvement. How do you believe your background makes you an effective community supervisor? 

Born and raised in Lake Placid, NY, I graduated from Northwood School and attended Syracuse University. When I left college, I began a 45-year career with the Bank of Lake Placid (NBT Bank) as a commercial banking officer. My wife, Cheryl, is a native of Peru, NY and we are the parents of three sons and a daughter, and the grandparents to five grandchildren, 

When living in Lake Placid, I was active in many community organizations including Chair of Adirondack Medical Center Board of Trustees, President of the Deo Coburn Education Foundation.

Requirements of the Peru Supervisor’s position are very similar to what I experienced as Mayor of the Village of Lake Placid over a twelve-year period, and that’s why I was approached to fill the vacancy that occurred in the summer of 2024.

2. Why are you running for election as Town Supervisor?

I was appointed by the Peru Town Board approximately a year ago to fill the unexpired term of the previous supervisor. At the time I assumed there would be other candidates for the office, however, none surfaced. In view of the various projects underway in the town, I agreed to seek election to the office.

3. What are your most significant accomplishments as town supervisor? 

In the year I have been in office, I have developed budgets that continue to meet the 2% tax cap at a time when costs are rising. At the same time, much of my attention has been focused on a new sewer plant, and water treatment plant upgrades that the town is under NYS mandate to accomplish. 

4. What Town issues concern you the most?

The mandated water and wastewater treatment projects will come with increase costs despite various grant funds and interest free financing provided by NYS. In addition, we have several town roads requiring culvert/bridge replacements, not to mention ongoing repavement of road surfaces. 

5. Do you have specific ideas on how Peru can attract more residents to our community at a time when the North Country’s population is decreasing? 

Peru’s ability to attract more residents has been limited by the availability of housing. In the past year I have noticed that as homes come on the market, they generally turnover in less than 30 days, evidencing a positive flow of people seeking to live in the town. The Town Board  is supportive of additional new housing and encourages developers to build new homes in the township. It is well known that families with young children seek housing within the Peru school district, and the reason is that the school not only provides excellent education, but also extracurricular activities and sports program. The town also provides a very successful youth recreation program. 

6. Do you think the town board should encourage affordable housing development, especially inside the hamlet water-sewer district? If yes, how could the town board actively encourage this development?

Yes. The town is seeking to upgrade its 20-year-old comprehensive plan especially inside the water-sewer districts where the current  plant projects will generate additional cost  for properties within the districts. Additional housing development within the districts is one way to help offset some of the anticipated costs that will be carried by the users.