By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- A member of the Massena Republican party is challenging Mayor James Hidy's nomination at their Sept. 8 caucus, according to the St. Lawrence County Board of Elections. Meanwhile, incumbent Mayor James Hidy says he will not take his name off the ballot.

Charles Romigh, a former county legislator and Massena Republican chair, has filed a general objection on Tuesday and must file specifics within six business days, Democratic Election Commissioner Jennie Bacon said.

"After that, (Republican Election Commissioner) Tom (Nichols) and I review the specific objections and make a ruling," Bacon said.

On Sunday, Massena Democrat party chair Cortney Deshaies released a statement accusing Hidy of being illegally nominated by the Republican and Conservative parties.

She called for Hidy to voluntarily remove his name from the ballot and said the party would not dispute the results at the request of their mayoral candidate, police Chief Tim Currier.

"Tim’s position was pretty clear on this and he does not want to challenge it, so I am respecting his wishes and calling on Mayor Hidy to do the right thing, and not allow his name to appear on either of those lines,” Deshaies said.

Hidy said he has no plans to remove his name from the ballot.

"That's not going to happen," he said. "I'm convinced now more than ever there are more Democrats on our side than Ms. Deshaies gives credit to. This is a ploy to bring that vote back."

Hidy said he would rather "let the voters decide."

Deshaies says that since some of the people that voted at the GOP caucus also signed Hidy's independent petition, his nod is null and void.

Massena Republican party chair Joseph Gray said he believes there were no improprieties at the GOP caucus.

"Things were done properly," he said.

Gary Borgosz and Tony DiTullio had signed Hidy's independent petition and also cast votes at the caucus.

"They should have known better, quite honestly," Gray said. "I certainly hope the mayor didn't know that. He may not know the intricacies of election law. He should have done his research."

Gray believes Romigh acted "on a personal level. He doesn't represent the Republican party."

"I did talk with Mr. Romigh the other day and encouraged him not to file an objection," Gray said. "There's going to be an election anyway."

Deshaies also said that the Conservative caucus was invalid because they did not file appropriate notice with the Board of Elections.

Bacon confirmed they were not notified.

"The Board of Elections does not have caucus notice for a Conservative caucus in Massena," Bacon said Monday.

She said it may not matter, since the Massena Conservatives missed their Sept. 16 deadline to file a certificate of nomination.

"I do not have a Conservative candidate for Massena," Bacon said.

She added that the exception would be if the paperwork was mailed and is postmarked by the deadline.

Romigh did not immediately return a request for comment.