WURTSBORO – Former Wurtsboro Fire Chief Paul Champagne is the third candidate, and the second independent, to throw his hat into the ring for the upcoming mayoral elections in the Village of Wurtsboro. Champagne, who has been a resident of Wurtsboro for all of his 48 years, wants to see new blood in village government. "It's time for a change," his said during an interview in his west-side home.

Champagne — who had tried, and failed, to win the Democratic nomination for mayor — feels that he and his running mate Robert Hawks are the right candidates for the job. He stresses the fact that he knows the village extremely well, primarily through his involvement with the Wurtsboro Fire Department, an organization in which he has held virtually every position.

"I've been everything but the treasurer," Champagne said.

It is this hands-on experience, Champagne feels, that gives him the edge over the other candidates who are running, particularly when it comes to knowing what is going on in the streets of the village, as firefighters have a tendency to spend a good deal of time out in the field.

Champagne said that, if elected, accessibility will be a cornerstone of his administration. One of the first programs he would implement would be to hold regular office hours. Currently, Champagne claims, it's difficult for residents to contact village officials, as there are no posted office hours. Champagne intends to make himself available for at least an hour during each weekday, and he will hold office hours at least one evening per week for those village residents who work during the day.

"I want people to be able to come see [their local elected officials]," he said.

When it comes to the two big issues currently before the village board, Champagne said that he would take a hands-on approach. The possible closure of Emma Chase Elementary is an issue particularly close to Champagne's heart, as he himself attended the school, as did his two children, Kaitlyn and Christopher.

"I want to do whatever I can to keep [Chase] open," he said.

Champagne is also strongly behind the potential renovation of the Wurtsboro water system.

"I think it's long overdue," he said.

If the project goes forward, Champagne said that he will do whatever is necessary to ensure the project continues on its present course.

Some of the other issues Champagne hopes to address are contained in a prepared handout that he hopes to send out to all Wurtsboro residents. Some of these issues include a potential restructuring of the village maintenance department — Champagne feels that the department can be run in a more cost-effective manner — and that he would like to do more when it comes to code enforcement.

"I want to clean up the town," he said regarding residents who don't do enough to maintain their property. The issue of residents failing to shovel their sidewalks after a snowstorm is another area in which he intends to make an impact.

Champagne is also adamant that the village continue to hold the line on raising taxes. He feels that he can find enough fat elsewhere in the budget to ensure that village residents don't get hit with yet another tax increase.

Additionally, Champagne wants to seek ways to get teenagers and young people involved with the village. As a teenager, he often worked for the village, doing such things as mowing lawns and running a snow blower. He feels that the next administration should look into developing a program whereby teenagers can gain valuable work experience, and at the same time the town can save money by paying entry-level wages. He would also like to look into the possibility of building some sort of a skateboard park for the kids in the village in an effort to help keep them off the streets and in a place where they can be supervised more easily.

Champagne and his running mate, Robert Hawks, will be canvassing the village, door-to-door, over the next two weekends in an effort to bring his message to voters. The village election will be held on Wednesday, March 18, rather than the usual Tuesday, because of a conflict with St. Patrick's Day.

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