Primaries likely in Gouverneur

GOUVERNEUR — Republicans expect a primary in several town races, while Democrats will caucus to at least make sure Town Clerk Joan M. Hall is on the ballot.

Republicans are circulating petitions for town positions. Supervisor Robert R. Ritchie doesn't have any competition yet from within his party or from outside it. Town Councilmen Laurence T. Graves and Eldon B. Conklin will face a challenge from fellow Republican Harold E. Lacey.

Mr. Lacey, a 25-year employee of Cives Steel, said he wants to focus on increasing and maintaining jobs in the community, including preservation of farms.

"One of my concerns is that four of our five children had to move away to gain meaningful employment," he said. "We miss them."

Town Justice John W. Riordan also will face opposition from within Republican ranks as Mark H. Ashley, who retired from the village police last week, is making a run for the job.

Republicans will caucus for village positions at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the municipal building's courtroom. Mayor Dorothy L. Vorce will run — unopposed so far — as will Trustees Roger A. LaPierre and Michael C. Bartholomew. Political newcomer Carl A. Petitto, owner of Greg's Restaurant, also will vie for a nomination at the caucus for one of the two available trustee positions.

Mrs. Vorce has wavered in the past but said this week that she would like one more term to shepherd to completion work at the water, sewage treatment and hydroelectric plants.

"It's all started," she said. "These are things I'd like to push along."

Mrs. Vorce also wanted to make sure the Police Department, which has been rocked by budget cuts, was running smoothly before she left office.

"I don't want to leave that for someone else," she said. "I'd like to see that resolved."

Mr. Conklin, the Republican committee chairman, said he wanted to have the caucus early.

"Every year, I've waited and waited," he said. "This year, I thought I'd get it done. With all the controversy going on in the village over the Police Department, I thought I'd give people time to campaign."

Democrats caucus for both town and village positions, but the party has been in disarray in Gouverneur for several years.

"They're trying to organize a Democratic committee," Democratic Election Commissioner Jennie H. Morrill said. "Someone will be appointed to have the caucus."

A caucus will be scheduled to ensure that Ms. Hall, the town clerk, can run for re-election on her party's line, Ms. Morrill said.