As I collected frost-covered election signs this beautiful sunny autumn morning, I realized how much I enjoyed the process of running for office. I did not win the election for councilman-at-large for the city of Johnstown. That honor went to the incumbent, Bryan Marcucci. I have congratulated him, and I offer my support to Bryan, Mayor Slingerland and the entire city council. Mostly, I want to publicly thank the 672 voters who supported me, the Fulton County Democratic Committee, the Women Democrats and the editorial board of The Leader Herald, which endorsed my candidacy. The resultof the election will suffice for now. Getting 42 percent of the vote in an election cycle without a presidential race and with lower voter participation that is characteristic of an off-year contest is very gratifying.

My campaign was an effort to bring logic and reason to bear against the challenges facing our city as defined in the2008 City of Johnstown Comprehensive Plan. You can readthe plan at Johnstown's Web site, www.cityofjohnstown-ny.com. There is a link on the bottom of thehome page that opens the document. City revitalization has already been successful in places like Broadway in Saratoga, State Street in Schenectady and Remsen Street in Troy. That's the kind of progress that I want to see for Main Street in Johnstown. We have a lot of work to do.

FRANCIS CARACO

Johnstown