BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

LISBON -- Town Supervisor James W. Armstrong is being challenged by former Ogdensburg Mayor Bill Nelson for the Conservative and Republican party endorsements.

Nelson is also and running on the Independence Party ticket and will be on the November ballot regardless of the primary results.

Both candidates have a lot of experience as municipal chiefs. Armstrong has served several terms as supervisor and Nelson served 16 years as Ogdensburg mayor.

Armstrong says during his time in office the town has kept tax increases below the state tax cap, expanded the town campground, made improvements to the town hall, invested in the highway department and is currently undergoing a major water and sewer project.

Armstrong says this has all been done without major increases in taxes.

Armstrong says the town was able to save a significant amount of money by purchasing a paver rather than paying the county for roadwork. He said under the leadership of the late former highway superintendent Tim Dow the town was able to pave significantly more roads than had been done in the past. He said Mike Baldock is continuing that tradition.

Armstrong says a key to his success is being surrounded hard working and forward thinking people.

“We have a good team here. If you want to be successful you need to have good people working around you,” he said.

Armstrong said Lisbon has been his family’s home for at least six generations and he wants to ensure that residents aren’t over-burdened with tax increases.

He said all of his decisions are made with taxpayers in mind.

Nelson, a Lisbon High School graduate, says he’s looking forward to serving his hometown and returning to his roots. Nelson says he sees a lot of opportunities for the town, but wants to connect with its residents and businesses to establish a long-term development plan.

Nelson says he’d like to grow Lisbon’s tax base. He noted that Waddington, Madrid, Heuvelton and Morley have all had shops or restaurants opening and he would like to see similar growth in Lisbon.

If elected Nelson said he would also serve as the chief financial officer and prepare the budget with assistance from the department heads and town board. Currently the town pays for budget assistance from William Dashnaw.

Nelson says he’d also like to bring more transparency to the town government. He says he plans to keep the town’s website up to date and make sure that minutes, updates and other important information is easily accessible.

Nelson says he has a strong record of working with other municipalities and tackling tough issues.

“I think I’ve got a good track record. Overall had great relationship with citizens of Ogdensburg and while that was on a grander scale, it’s the same principal. I’m going to work to address the concerns of the public no matter how big or small,” he said.

The primary race will be held June 25. Voting is open from noon to 9 p.m. at the Lisbon library.