The Peru Gazette

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By John T. Ryan (Please Share)

Peru – July 16, 2024 – A few weeks ago, Brandy McDonald announced that he was moving to Plattsburgh and would, therefore, be stepping down as Peru Town Supervisor. At the town board’s Thursday, July 11 meeting, Councilman Melvin Irwin announced that the board has agreed to appoint Craig Randall as interim town supervisor from August 1, 2024 – December 31, 2025. A vote to approve his appointment will be on the July 29 meeting agenda.

Craig Randall and his wife, Cheryl “Woodward” Breen Randall, a Peru native, moved here from Lake Placid in 2021. Randall brings forty-four years of banking and twelve years of government leadership experience to our community. In 2007, he retired as NBT Regional Vice-President of Commercial Lending, specializing in small business loans. In March 2009, Lake Placid voters elected him a village mayor, where he served three successful four-year terms until term limits sidelined him in April 2021. Since moving to Peru, he’s joined the Peru Lions Club and the Keeseville Elks Lodge.

As Lake Placid’s mayor, Randall developed a $20 million budget. He oversaw all aspects of village operations, including accounting, finance, code enforcement, the fire department, highway department, municipal electric department, water and sewer department, and village court. Two of his most memorable accomplishments were working to bring the International Children’s Games to Lake Placid in 2019 and the World University Games to Lake Placid in 2023.

Peru town board members are enthusiastic about working with Randall. Deputy Supervisor Jim Douglass told the Gazette, “Craig was a successful mayor. It will be good to get an outsider’s perspective. He’s got the time to be in the office every day. We have a lot of projects going on. Let him come forward and see what he can do for us. I think he will be good for the town.” Douglass said the board talked to one other well-qualified person, but it came down to how much time they could devote to the position. There are no mandated hours for the town supervisor position; however, the board wants a person in the town hall to supervise finances and interact with personnel and the public.

Counselor Melvin Irwin stated, “I like his financial experience, especially since we’re likely to spend about $30 million on water and sewer projects over the next couple of years.” Kregg Bruno commented, “I was impressed not only with his political background but also with the fact that he worked in banking. He’s very knowledgeable and has a lot of experience with grants. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

Eric Duquette also cited Randall’s mayoral experience: “He’s dealt with multiple unions and a water department. He knows the avenues for grants that might help us. He’s familiar with people in Albany. His banking experience should be helpful in budgeting. We want someone to sit in that seat three or four hours daily to keep a handle on and steer the ship. People I’ve spoken with say he’s a true gentleman, very business-oriented, and ready to reach across the table and to make sure everyone’s happy.”