The Peru Gazette

Chad Deans

Travis Nelson

Plattsburgh – Clinton County Coroner David Donah is not seeking reelection. Clinton County Republicans nominated Chad Deans of Champlain while Clinton County Democrats nominated Travis Nelson of Saranac for the position. Deans also has the support of the Conservative Party. Nelson also has Working Families Party support.

The office of coroner is a part-time position. The winner will be elected to a four-year term of office. The Peru Gazette posed five questions to each candidate to inform voters regarding the candiates’ qualifications and goals.

1. What are the duties of the office of coroner?
Chad Deans responded: The duties of the county coroner include but are not limited to; responding to death scenes and assisting with the death investigation, obtaining a medical and social history of the deceased including a list of medications for review of the pathologist, attending the autopsy when one is ordered and documenting such, initiating the death certificate for cases, completing and filing reports, completing budget work and other financial reports relating to the coroner’s office.

Travis Nelson responded: The coroner is responsible for confirming, investigating and certifying deaths within the county, primarily unattended, accidental, etc. The coroner works with the Pathology/Medical Examiner in determining the cause and manner of death. In addition, the coroner is responsible for initiating and completing death certificates via Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS). The coroner is also responsible for handling personal effects of the decedent, such as any valuables that are on the person at the time of death, which are to be turned over to the County Treasurer.

2. Summarize your educational background, primary employment, past community involvement and a little about your family.

Chad Deans responded: I am a 1997 graduate of the State University of New York College of Technology at Canton with an A.A.S. degree in Mortuary Science. I am currently licensed to practice as a funeral director in New York State and have over twenty years of experience. I presently work in funeral service locally and have previously worked as an autopsy assistant. I am a member of Fraternal Lodge 155 Free and Accepted Masons in West Chazy and ring the bell for the Salvation Army Holiday Red Kettle Campaign. I reside in the Village of Champlain with my wife Heather, who is a teacher at Northern Adirondack Central School in Ellenburg and our children Kathryn and Aaron.

Travis Nelson responded: I have been in the medical field since 2008, primarily as a Registered Respiratory Therapist at UVM CVPH. In this role I have been exposed to all aspects of critical care, trauma and end of life care. I am a volunteer and member of North Country Honor Flight where I have served as a flight medic, also I was a volunteer member of Saranac Fire Department. My wife Jessica and I have a 3 year old daughter Juliana and we are the 3rd generation operating her families horse farm.

3. Why are you qualified to serve in this position?
Chad Deans responded: My experience as a licensed funeral director and autopsy assistant provide a good background for this position. I have responded to many death scenes over the years and I am familiar with obtaining important information from people under delicate circumstances. As a funeral director experience in procedures surrounding death have been established as part of my work.

Travis Nelson responded: I feel I am qualified for this position given my experience in critical care. It has enabled me to remain focused and objective in doing my job under some of the most stressful situations from traumas to end of life care at patient’s bedside with family. Comforting and helping families through times of grief. In addition, I am currently completing my certification for Medical Legal Death Investigation, with coursework completion date of November 22, 2019 and the certification exam following.

4. Have you successfully completed all required training including medical-legal investigation courses?

Chad Deans responded: The required Coroner 101 course is scheduled for February in Syracuse for newly elected coroners. If elected I will enroll in this course by the January deadline.

Travis Nelson responded: I will have completed all coursework necessary to take the certification exam by November 22, 2019. The county will send whomever is elected to take an MLDI course in February, however the course I am enrolled in now is a 40 hour course, opposed to the 1 day course that the county requires.

5.Why should someone vote for you?
Chad Deans responded: I am readily reachable and available for coroner duties and would bring over twenty years of experience in death care to this position. I will be professional, ethical, and compassionate to those I serve and work with all required authorities during death investigations.

Travis Nelson responded: I feel that I should have your support and vote as I am a lifelong resident of Clinton County, my medical background and ties to this community are vast. I am a very effective communicator and have extensive experience in working alongside physicians on a daily basis. My attention to detail and ability to think outside the normal realm will help greatly with the investigative portion of the coroner’s responsibilities. My compassion and empathy will serve greatly in helping family members of the community through some of the most tragic times. If elected it’s not if I will be called upon to attend to someone I know, but when, and treating every person with the compassion, dignity and respect that we all hope for in our time of need or passing, and doing so diligently.