By CRAIG FREILICH

After speaking with college Republicans and local party leaders, Joe Timmerman of Potsdam, chair of the SUNY Potsdam Business Administration Department, has decided to be a candidate for the District 10 seat on the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators.

The district includes covers the Village of Potsdam.

Asked what he sees as the main issues, Timmerman said, “Budget budget budget.

“In fact, one thing that made me decide to run was the increase in the county sales tax,” he said. “We are one of the poorest counties in the state, and now we've just added 1 percent to everyone's costs. I'd like a chance to make sure that this increase is actually balanced by lower property taxes and not with an expansion of county government spending.”

He said he would also like to see more cooperation from leaders in state government.

“I'd also like a stronger voice with our state leaders in working to reduce the unfunded mandates imposed on the county.”

Timmerman said he hopes to have some influence on county government spending.

“I'd like to have a say in some of the longer term financial decisions made by the county. Some of the articles I've read in your own paper make me question the soundness of some of the decisions made in recent years.”

Jim Bunstone, Democratic incumbent in District 10, is  running again.