BY ADAM ATKINSON
North Country This Week

POTSDAM — There will be some changes in village government after this year.

Long-time Mayor Ron Tischler will not seek re-election, Village Clerk Lori S. Queor is retiring this year after three decades of service, and Village Trustee Abby Lee will also not seek re-election in November.

Tischler made the announcement at the village board’s May meeting.

“After a lot of consideration, contemplation, call it what you want, ah discussion, talking with my family, I’ve decided at this point that I will not be running for re-election as mayor of the Village of Potsdam in November,” Tischler announced at the May village board meeting.

Tischler is a long time public servant, having served as village mayor (and also a trustee) two separate times. A trustee from 1989 to 2005, he was then elected mayor and served until 2011, when he then decided to run as trustee again. He was elected and served the board in that capacity until 2015 when he was elected to a second tenure as mayor.

As mayor he has presided over the village being named the recipient of the state’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant in 2019 which is funding multiple business and public works projects, the ongoing rebuilding and renovation of the village’s hydro electric system over the years, and the construction of Garner Park, named for former mayor Ruth Garner.

With two trustee seats on the ballot in November, Tischler could run again for trustee if the Democratic caucus doesn’t select candidates for the spots, and he has said as much in local media reports.

Also at the May meeting, Village Clerk Lori Queor was honored by village officials with a plaque recognizing her 31 years of service to the village.

Village Trustee Monique Tirion spoke highly of Queor and highlighted her years of service to the municipality.

“What I will miss specifically is two things I guess. One is that she answers precisely the question you asked, rather than the question you mean to ask. So I learned to be very careful,” Tirion said.

“And I will also miss your ability to find good deals for the village. You always seem to find good insurance rates or health, I don’t know, everything you know, the little tiny tweaks that you knew how to make, that ended up saving the village bundles of money I realize, so I hope we can fill your shoes. And I will miss you,” Tirion said.

“Let me add my thanks to Lori, and also to Ron, you guys have both done so much for the municipality over the years,” said Trustee Alexandra Jacobs Wilke. “I’ve learned a lot from you both and I hope you’re both very proud. I know you will still be involved . . . if we still have questions. Thank you so much.”

“I worked with Lori, started when I was with the Chamber of Commerce in the basement and she was in the planning department,” said Trustee Abby Lee. “So many years, and many thanks for all that you’ve done and will continue to do.”

Lee then announced that she would finish her time on the board after this year.

“I too am not going to seek re-election as a village trustee in the fall. I filled in for Eleanor Hopke in, what, the spring of 2017. Did a two-year term and then was elected to a four-year term. This is my second one at this.”

“But I have enjoyed immensely working with Ron (Tischler), Steve (Warr), Monique, Alex, Nick Sheehan, Cindy Goliber, and Maggie (McKenna) over the years,” Lee said. “And I think new voices and new perspectives are great for the village so I hope people will come forward.”