Caroga candidates seek GOP spot
By KAYLEIGH KARUTIS, The Leader-HeraldCAROGA - In Caroga, three candidates are vying for the spot on the Republican ticket in the race to serve the remaining year of the current supervisor's term.
The position became vacant when Gary Gifford resigned only a few months after being elected last year. The Town Board appointed Republican Robert Kane in March to fill the position until November. In the primary Tuesday, residents will choose from three Republican candidates - Kane, Ralph Ottuso and James Selmser - and the winner will face Democrat Ronald McLain in November.
Kane said he is hoping to build a new Town Hall and a clinic for Nathan Littauer Hospital.
"The whole building has problems," he said. "The far end is cracked, and we have a mold problem," he said.
Kane said if elected, he will bring his extensive experience within the community to the position. He said he was the treasurer at the Wheelerville Union Free School for 40 years, a fire fighter for 37, and the head carpenter for the New York Racing Association in Saratoga for several years.
"I feel I'm up on building procedures and processes," he said. He added he has been a Caroga resident for more than 50 years.
Ralph Ottuso, former deputy sheriff with the Fulton County Sheriff's Department, said he would bring a businessman's view to the position.
"It's just like running a business," he said. "It's about being a good manager, and that's what I plan on doing."
Ottuso said he hopes to create a more robust economy in the area by promoting its natural resources.
"I want to keep our town growing just like you want a business to grow," he said.
Ottuso said he is the founder of Pine Lake Stoves in Caroga and has lived in the town since 1986.
Candidate James Selmser said he, like Ottuso, would bring a business outlook to the town.
"I've been affiliated with the town for 60-plus years," he said. "It's home now, and I want to try and help the town grow and prosper."
Selmser said he has been heavily involved in community organizations and has helped businesses and organizations make difficult decisions in order to operate and grow. He said he would work with board members to have an efficient town government and hopes to make known the town's needs for a bus service.
"I want to utilize the qualities the town has to offer," he said.
The primary will be Tuesday from noon until 9 p.m. The candidate elected in November will receive a salary of $9,740 from the town and $7,900 from the county. The supervisor term is a two-year term and the winner will finish out the remainder of the term until 2009, when there will be a regular election.
Kayleigh Karutis covers rural Fulton County. She can be reached by e-mail at ruralnews@leaderherald.com.
