PIERREPONT -Voters here will be heading to the polls on Thursday for a Republican primary to decide which two candidates will appear on the party’s line in November for two unexpired one-year terms.

The race for the nominations includes three candidates: Dahl R. McCormick, Roger H. Murray and Chad R. VanBrocklin. Mr. McCormick and Mr. Murray currently hold the seats.

Dahl R. McCormick

Mr. McCormick is no stranger to serving the citizens of Pierrepont, having served on the town board from 1984 to 2009.

After taking a couple years off from public service, he was reappointed to the board in February to replace Town Councilman Thomas Latimer when he became supervisor. He is now seeking ethe opportunity to finish the remaining year on the term.

“I enjoyed my 25 years on the board ,and I wanted to get back on there,” he said. “I’m involved in representing the people of Pierrepont.”

After Mr. McCormick got off of the board that left Hannawa Falls without representation and that’s something he’s hoping to change.

“People on the board all represented District 1,” he said. “The population base and most of the taxes though come from District 2, which is Hannawa Falls.”

At the same time Mr. McCormick was appointed to the board, Mr. Murray, who lives in Hannawa Falls, was also appointed. He too is seeking election to another one-year unexpired term.

“Now we have two people on the board, which makes things a little more balanced,” he said.

Mr. McCormick also noted the budget is one of his priorities and something that he’s well-versed in given his previous board experience.

“The budget is very important. I have 25 years of experience doing town budgets,” he said. “I would like to keep taxes in line, hopefully no more than the 2 percent limit.”

When asked why voters should support his candidacy, Mr. McCormick, who is guaranteed a spot on the November Ballot, as he’ll be appearing on the Conservative line replied, “I’m conservative.”

“I hope to continue serving, and I would appreciate anyone’s vote who would like to support me,” he said.

Mr. McCormick, who is 73 and retired from General Motors, currently runs his own business, “On The Spot Windshield Repairs.”

Roger H. Murray

When Mr. Murray was appointed to the town board in February, he may have been new to the town board, but he was no stranger to public service having spent 18 years on the school board, including eight as the board’s president.

He was replacing Peter Hoyt, who resigned after serving three months. Mr. Hoyt had been appointed to the board to replace long-time board member Carmen Casolara, who passed away last winter.

“I said when I was appointed that I would see how it goes,” he said, adding things so far have gone well.

“I’m finding it interesting, and I think there’s some good things happening. I would definitely like to finish out the term. We’re doing efficiency audits, and we are getting into the budget. I think we’re open for suggestions at trying to make things better.”

In regards to the budget, Mr. Murray said he would like to see the town stay under the 2 percent tax cap, but he was supportive of the town passing a local law to let it exceed the cap if need be.

“We’re going to bring it up at the next meeting for the simple reason if something happens and we need to get a couple extra dollars in the budget,” he said. “But we’re not trying to exceed it by any means. We’re not anticipating raising taxes, but we need that lateral move.”

One thing Mr. Murray said he would like to see in the coming years, is more collaboration between Pierrepont and other towns.

“I would like to see us work with some of the other towns in the area to consolidate services, which would help reduce our costs, but that’s something that has to happen a little at a time.”

When asked why people should vote for him, Mr. Murray replied, “I have worked with budgets and the community in different ways. I’m from the town, and I know a lot of the people. I’m always open to suggestions. If people call me, I’ll definitely listen.

Mr. Murray is 67 and retired from Reliant Energy.

Chad R. VanBrocklin

Mr. VanBrocklin said that rather than being someone who complains about thingshe would like to be someone who does things.

“I don’t feel like being one of those people who sits back and complains about things,” he said. “I want to be one of those people who make things change.”

When asked if there was anything specifically he would like to change about the town, Mr. VanBrocklin replied, “Taxes are high, but of course that’s the case in New York state in general.”

Along those lines, Mr. VanBrocklin said that if elected, he wouldn’t support budgets if they resulted in significant tax increases.

“There’s a reason why the state passed that law,” he said. I would like to stay under that if at all possible. Everybody is struggling just to stay afloat. I’m one of those myself.”

Mr. VanBrocklin said he would like to see the government run more like a household.

“People need to understand that if costs money to have things and if the money isn’t there cuts need to be made,” he said. “I would like to see the government run like anyone’s home budget. You can’t just keep going into debt and that’s how the whole country feels right now.”

Mr. VanBrocklin also noted that he would like to see the town open its own transfer station.

“I’m not sure if it would be possible or not with our money situation, but one thing I would like to see the town have is a transfer station like Colton has.”

When asked why voters should support him, Mr. VanBrocklin replied, “I would be dedicated to the job.”

He also noted that Pierrepont is his home.

“My wife and I moved away for a few years when I was in the military, but we ended up moving back. This is my home,” he said. “I grew up three-quarters of a mile from where I live right now.”

Mr. VanBrocklin is 34 and works as an electrician for IBEW Local Union 910, Watertown.

Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday with all voting taking place at the town hall.

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