Farewell from longtime journalist

After 33 years here at the Press-Republican, I am retiring, effective today.

I've had a very rich and rewarding career covering the news of the North Country for three-plus decades, but life events have given me cause to take stock of things, and I've decided that a change was in order.

I've been fortunate to have a ringside seat to local news for so many years and have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people.

The refugee crisis of 1987, the closure of Plattsburgh Air Force Base and the creation of PARC in the early 1990s, the Ice Storm of 1998, the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and, of course, the 2015 escape from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora were some of the big stories I was glad to be a part of.

But the day-to-day stuff, the Common Council meetings, the Clinton County Legislature meetings and, yes, even planning and zoning board meetings, were what I really enjoyed.

Seeing people work to make their community better on a daily basis was inspiring.

I have many people to thank for all the help they've given me over the years.

Journalists are only as good as their sources, and I would not have been able to do my job without help and cooperation.

I am happy to say that so many people in the community provided that help without reservation, but I could never name them all.

I also had many colleagues here at the P-R to thank. Aside from good sources, a journalist needs support from within to be able to cover stories in a meaningful way, and so many people have helped me over the years, again too many to list.

I've certainly met some characters throughout my career.

I've covered eight mayors of the City of Plattsburgh and countless councilors (they used to be called aldermen) and county legislators.

I am happy to say that I had a pretty good relationship with most of them, except if they ever lost an election — then it was my fault.

I also had the pleasure of covering the late former State Sen. Ronald B. Stafford. I remember any time I was trying to get an answer from him on a difficult topic, he would avoid the question before finally putting his hand on my shoulder and saying, "We work together."

Sure, senator.

Former Mayor Daniel Stewart also made life interesting because you never knew what he was going to say or what costume he was going to show up in.

Don Kasprzak, Mark Dame, Gary Walker and Bob Heins gave me plenty to write about when they battled among themselves and with then Mayor Clyde Rabideau in the city in the early 1990s.

Kasprzak also kept me busy when he later became mayor in 2006. That guy told it like it was, and I appreciated his candor. 

Jim Calnon was the only mayor I've known who would give a local reporter a ride home after a few beers in a local bar. Thanks, Jim.

And, of course, if you ever want a lesson in local history or politics, just spend some time with Jack Stewart.

I was lucky enough to cover Bobby Hall as both a city councilor and as a county legislator. Like Kasprzak, you knew how he felt after a conversation.

The late Sam Trombley, as a county legislator, was also a pleasure to cover. Like Stewart, you never knew what he was going to say, but he was always so friendly and generous.

The legislature was an interesting group, and it was especially fascinating to see them transform from a wholly political body (Democrats vs. Republicans) into a truly non-political bunch who made decisions based on what was best for the county and not politics.

I give Jimmy Langley credit for that, and I'm happy to say so.

Current Legislature Chairman Harry McManus has been an absolute gentleman to deal with, and Michael Zurlo and Rodney Brown have to be two of the best local government administrators in the entire state, maybe even the country.

Former County Legislator, County Treasurer and State Assemblywoman Janet Duprey was also always very forthcoming. She never ducked me, no matter how tough the issue, and she was great on background.

There are so many more public figures I could talk about, but time is running out.

I just want to say a final thank you to our North Country readers and wish everyone the very best. It has been my pleasure to serve you.

I certainly don't feel like an "enemy of the people." 

Email Joe LoTemplio:

jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com