Clough won't seek fourth term on council

Watertown City Councilman Peter L. Clough will not run for re-election in November. The three-term lawmaker said he wants to spend more time with his wife and children.

"I've work-ed since I was something like 12 years old," he said. "I just retired and my wife is retired. I have a daughter who is getting married next April, and I just think it's time. Twelve years is a long time, 14 years if you count the two I was on the county Legislature too."

Mr. Clough was elected to the council in 1997 and was re-elected in 2001 and 2005. In 2007, he briefly considered a run for mayor, but bowed out, citing work and family-related reasons. He also represents the city on the Empire Zone administrative board.

That term will end May 31, 2012.

"I think it's time to move on," he said. "People just get entrenched. I think 12 years is a good time to go. I hope I've served the city well."

Mr. Clough said he's most proud of the projects the city has completedduring his current term.

"Both the State Street and downtown projects, those are going to be the crown jewels of Watertown eventually," he said.

He said he wants to see a walkway developed that connects downtown to the Black River.

"We've already seen some great strides towards that," he said. "That just comes down to one thing right now, just like everything else, and that one thing is money."

The city plans to tighten its purse strings in the upcoming fiscal year because of decreased sales tax revenues and state aid.

"The city is in a, I guess you could call it a financial crunch," Mr. Clough said. "But I've seen it when we had a 27 percent tax increase at one time."

He said that contact with the people has been his key to success on the council.

"I've tried to look out for the people and I think I've accomplished that," he said. "Not every decision is going to make everyone happy all the time."

He continued: "I've always answered phone calls, even when I knew I was going to be yelled at or chastised. You can't be afraid to talk to the people, and if you are, then you shouldn't be there."

Mr. Clough also has put his Charles Street home up for sale.

"Right now, we're just testing the market," he said. "We're thinking about maybe downsizing."

Mr. Clough said he has not determined whether he'll stay inside the city when he moves.

"We're just looking for something with one floor."

The seats held by Mr. Clough and Councilman Jeffrey M. Smith are both up for election in November.

Mr. Smith has not announced his plans yet.