ROUSES POINT -- Thomas D. Batha is challenging incumbent Mayor George A. Rivers in the upcoming village election.

Batha, who himself served as mayor for four years, said he would like to move the village in a different direction, both fiscally and operationally.

"We have a debt load of more than $6 million. I would like to pay down that debt significantly.

"I'm afraid if we don't make changes fiscally, we could very easily end up like the City of Plattsburgh in a couple years. It might not be too late to head that off now."

Rivers said the village is in debt for its water and sewer because of mandates from the state.

"There is no debt in the general fund. (The debt) doesn't affect the tax rate. We owe for a fire truck. That's it," he said. "We haven't raised taxes in 10 years."

Although the tax rate hasn't changed, Batha said, the amount of property taxes that village residents pay has increased dramatically.

"With increased sales-tax revenues predicted, we feel it is time to investigate a tax decrease," he said.

Batha said he would also like to see the village complete its public works projects in a "more timely and cost-effective manner."

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Rivers thinks the revitalization project is coming along nicely. The scenic pier will be completed and dedicated this spring, he said, and more than 10 new businesses have opened in the last two years.

"I think the major projects have been accomplished," Rivers said. "And we've been able to do that without any major increases to people."

Rivers would like the village to continue its course. The next major project he would like to tackle is restoring the Rouses Point railroad station, he said.

The village acquired the D&H Railway properties in 2002.

"We'd like to turn it into a museum of some type," he said.