Republicans tab Lindsay as county chair

By Derek Liebig

Kingsbury Supervisor Jim Lindsay is the new chairman of the Washington County Board of Supervisors.

Putnam Supervisor John LaPointe nominated Lindsay during last Thursday’s annual organizational meeting and he received the unanimous support of those supervisors who braved the weather and were in attendance.

Lindsay, who thanked his fellow supervisors for their supervisor, emerged as the favorite for the county’s leadership post after he was the top vote-getter in a Republican caucus held before last month’s meeting.

Lindsay defeated Argyle Supervisor Bob Henke in the caucus. Henke had announced his intention to seek the position several months ago, but it was clear following the caucus that Lindsay had the requisite support and Henke withdrew his name from consideration. He was in attendance last Thursday and threw his support behind Lindsay.

Although rumors had been circulating for months that Lindsay was interested in the chairmanship, he only recently announced his decision to seek the position after he was reelected as town supervisor. He was one of only a handful of supervisors who were challenged in November’s election, defeating Frederick Gage.

Lindsay replaces Easton Supervisor Jon Rymph as chairman of the board.

Rymph chose not to seek reelection as Easton’s supervisor last fall. During last month’s board meeting—the final one of 2013—supervisors passed three separate resolutions thanking Rymph, and former Supervisors William “Beaver” Watkins (Cambridge) and Bob Banks (Dresden) for their years of service.

The choice of Lindsay has supervisor was the only major change in the county’s hierarchy.

Putnam Supervisor John LaPointe will continue to serve as vice chairman after he too, received the unanimous support of his fellow supervisors. County administrator Kevin Hayes, county attorney Roger Wickes, public defender Michael Mercure, clerk Debbie Prehoda and budget officer and Hebron Supervisor Brian Campbell were all reappointed to their respective positions.

Whitehall Supervisor George Armstrong was reappointed as county chaplin and will continue to deliver a prayer before each meeting of the full board of supervisors and Hampton Supervisor Dave O’Brien will replace Banks as the county’s sergeant of arms.