Burke seeks 2nd term as Lewis County legislator

LOWVILLE — A first-term Lewis County legislator from West Lowville has decided to seek re-election this fall as the board's District 7 representative.

"This has been a great two years," said William J. Burke, R-West Lowville. "This is a good board. I enjoy the people. I enjoy moving issues forward."

In 2007, Mr. Burke defeated then-Legislator Gerald R. Reed Jr., also a Republican, in a primary and the general election to earn the seat. He thus far has no announced challengers.

District 7 encompasses the towns of Turin and Martinsburg and the western portion of the town and village of Lowville.

Mr. Burke touted this year's move to set designated times for monthly legislative committee meetings, making them more accessible to the public.

Last fall's budget development pro-cess also was more open than in the past, with legislators spending many hours reviewing the proposed spending plan, he said.

The second-year legislator said he sees promise for the county's permit-based all-terrain vehicle trail system, which opened May 1.

"It's in its infancy, but it's got a good start," he said.

Mr. Burke said the ongoing consolidation of Public Health into Lewis County General Hospital should provide significant savings. He also suggested that last year's move of the Department of Motor Vehicles out of the old courthouse to a building on Route 12 south of the village has been positive, even though it may not be a permanent solution.

Mr. Burke said he was happy the second-floor courtroom in the old courthouse, once slated to be broken up into offices as part of the ongoing renovation project, was converted into a Legislature chamber.

"It's a great spot for a meeting," he said. "And it saves history. A room like that talks to you when you go in it."

Mr. Burke has served for 37 years on the town of Lowville Zoning Board of Appeals, currently as chairman, and for eight years on the Lowville Academy and Central School District Board. He also has been a member of the school district's Agriculture Advisory Board for the past 40 years.

He is chairman of the Legislature's County Officers and Employees Committee and serves on the Hospital and Buildings and Grounds committees.