A longtime North Country politician is resigning his seat on the Clinton County Legislature effective at the end of business today and moving to South Carolina. Area 8 Republican Mark Dame has planned the move for some time since his wife is now teaching there. Dame began his political career in Plattsburgh in the late 1980’s. He tells WAMC North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley he’s not really sure how he first got into politics.
"You know I’m not quite sure if it was ingrained in me as a child. And I don’t know it’s just in my blood. I remember my first bumper sticker when I was about 12 years old. I had it in my locker. And it was Barry Goldwater, Goldwater-Miller. And I actually remember my, our coach and athletic director was John Flynn, a well-known very respected Democratic city councilor, he just gave me a grin when he saw it because there weren’t too many politically active 12 year-olds I guess."
Mark Dame’s term would have run through December 31, 2021. Legislature Chair Mark Henry tells WAMC that they prefer to hold special elections to fill seats rather make an appointment. But the decision is pending because of COVID-19 uncertainties.
