Saranac Lake welcomes first-ever female mayor

SARANAC LAKE | Earlier this year, Kelly Brunette made history by becoming the first woman to be elected mayor of the village. "It's an honor, and I take that responsibility very seriously," she said. "At the same time, I see it as a part of a broader progression — our community continuing to open doors and expand who is represented at the table." Brunette spent over a decade working in village government and public service, including six years as a village trustee. With a background in communications and community development, having worked for the Franklin County Economic Development Corp. and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, she has always focused on helping people understand how local government works and how decisions impact their daily lives. Brunette hopes to continue that during her term as mayor. "I want to bring a steady, thoughtful approach to decision-making. That means better long-term planning, clearer financial understanding for residents, and a more open, transparent process," she said. "If we do that well, we build trust, and that's the foundation for everything else." Brunette, who ran on the Democratic line, as well as the independent "Affordability Civility and Transparency (ACT)" party line, won against Jimmy Williams (Republican), the former mayor who had served for four years, 775 to 476. Williams ran on a platform of continued success and building on what he had accomplished during his term, while Brunette ran on a platform of doing better and bringing a different style of governance to the village. "I ran because I love Saranac Lake," she said. "I care deeply about this community and saw an opportunity to lead in a way that brings people into the process earlier, communicates more clearly, and plans more responsibly for the future." While Brunette wasn't officially sworn in until early this month, she won the election in March, which is significant with it being Women's History Month. Established in the United States in 1987, this month-long holiday was created to honor the overlooked contributions, achievements, and impact of women on history, culture, and society. And as Saranac Lake's first female mayor, she hopes to be an inspiration to women looking to get into politics themselves. "Your voice matters, [and] you don't need to wait for permission to step forward," she shared. "Local governments need people who care, who listen, and who are willing to do the work. If you're thinking about it, that's enough to start." For more information about the Village of Saranac Lake, visit saranaclakeny.gov.

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Saranac Lake welcomes first-ever female mayor

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