Ex-Lewis manager seeks board seat

CONSTABLEVILLE — Lewis County's former manager plans to run for legislator this fall against one of those who helped oust him more than a year ago.

Joseph L. Baruth Sr., Constableville, co-founder and chairman of the county Independence Party, said he's planning to seek the District 8 seat held by Legislature Vice Chairman Richard C. Lucas. The district encompasses the towns of Pinckney, Harrisburg, Montague, West Turin and Osceola.

"Lewis County needs legislators who have a high quality of basic judgment — common sense, if you will," Mr. Baruth said. "We need a legislative body that's transparent, accountable."

Mr. Lucas, R-Barnes Corners, who is in his fourth year representing the so-called Tug Hill District, could not be reached for comment late Monday afternoon. However, Mr. Lucas, manager at the Watertown branch office of McQuade & Bannigan Inc. and co-owner of the Montague Inn, has suggested he plans to run for re-election.

Mr. Baruth served as county manager from April 2005 through 2007, when seven of the 10 legislators, including Mr. Lucas, chose not to reappoint him.

While legislators steered clear of publicly criticizing Mr. Baruth, some privately complained about his dominant personality, alleging he took actions without legislative approval or consultation.

Mr. Baruth said he decided to run for legislator to provide district voters a choice, not because of a vendetta.

"I believe I'm the better candidate," he said, suggesting he would bring a broad background in both the public and private sectors to the position.

He also said the legislators, in general, need to be more thoughtful about spending taxpayer funds and look more to the "good of the whole" than spending time on personal agendas.

Mr. Baruth said he already has spoken with a lot of people about his possible legislative run and has received a good reception.

"I will be the underdog," he said. "But I'm willing to work hard at it."

He plans to discuss his campaign platform and issues more extensively with the Times later this week.

Mr. Baruth in 1973 founded Barco Abrasives Inc., an abrasives distributor in Rome, and served as its president until he sold it in 1986. He also operated J.L. Baruth Sr. & Associates, an auction and appraisal business in Constableville, before becoming county manager.

He served as Leyden town assessor and Port Leyden village trustee for two years each and was a member of the Lewis County General Hospital board of managers for five years.

Mr. Baruth was the county's Republican chairman for five months in 2001.

In 2004, he helped form the Lewis County Independence Party, and he will likely be that party's first true candidate for county office.

Mr. Lucas received Independence Party endorsement during his initial campaign in the 2005 general election, and he also held the line while running unopposed in 2007.