Barcomb: Leave the place better than you found it

Champlain Supervisor Larry Barcomb believes anyone joining an organization should try to leave the place better than they found it. Barcomb started his political career with schools, when, in 1986 he noticed that two individuals were running unopposed on the Chazy Central Rural School Board. His father attended the school, and so did he and his four children, two of whom were still there when he threw his name in the hat. Barcomb spent 15 years on the school board, four as its president. "I loved it," he said. One of the most important responsibilities of the job was the people the board hired. "A lot was accomplished," Barcomb said. "It is still a great system." In 1992 he ran as Chazy's representative on the board of BOCES, known today as Champlain Valley Educational Services. "I have been there ever since," Barcomb said. "I have been president of that board for 15 years." He loves BOCES, especially the trade school portion of it. "I can't tell you the number of success stories," Barcomb said. "The guy who takes care of my car is a BOCES graduate. A lot of secretaries in the area went through the secretarial course." And the most common theme among such students, he said, is they want to be there. "There are a lot less discipline problems." Barcomb is up for election this spring as president of the board there. In 2003, someone asked him to run for the Champlain Town Council that November. He was elected to the council and within two years challenged the incumbent supervisor and won. He started his second term as town supervisor in 2010. "I've seen a lot of good things happen since I have been here." One thing he noticed quick is if there are issues, meetings gather a crowd, but that doesn't happen otherwise. A lot of times, it's about communication. "Don't let a problem fester," Barcomb said. He enjoys the people, though government moves slowly. Any accomplishments since he has been supervisor are shared by the Town Council. They include keeping the budget stable, even during these tough economic times. "Financially, we are free and clear of debt." The town just settled a union contract that was very favorable to taxpayers. "We have done well with the first year of the contract," Barcomb said. "The net increase in salary and benefits is less than one percent for the first year in the contract." Barcomb describes himself as financially conservative. But he admits that sometimes how you perceive yourself is not how others see you. He enjoys a good working relationship with the town council. "If we happen to walk away one night disagreeing, that is fine." He has two years left on his term and said running again depends on his health and family. "To be a public servant you have to have an understanding spouse and an understanding family," Barcomb said. "You are going to get some level of criticism, and you are away from home a lot of evenings." But ultimately, he said, "I enjoy the job."

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Barcomb: Leave the place better than you found it

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