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IN THE STUDIO, JACKSON STOEVER NBC 5 NEWS. PLATTSBURGH WILL HAVE A NEW MAYOR IN JANUARY. WITH DEMOCRAT WENDELL HUGHES WINNING IN LAST NIGHTS ELECTION. HE DEFEATED HIS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER DON KASPRZAK BY A LITTLE MORE THAN 600 VOTES. NOW THE SOON-TO-BE MAYOR IS GETTING READY FOR HIS NEW JOB. NBC 5’S BENNY NEZAJ CAUGHT UP WITH HIM TODAY. BENNY JOINS US IN OUR PLATTSBURGH STUDIO WITH MORE. LIZ AND BRIAN, JUST 1 DAY AFTER CLAIMING VICTORY – DEMOCRAT WENDELL HUGHES IS ALREADY IN TRANSITION MODE FROM SERVING AS A CLINTON COUNTY LEGISLATOR, TO SOON HOLDING THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE LAKE CITY. (áááSOTááá) (ááDO NOT TAKE LW3 HEREáá) WENDELL HUGHES (D) PLATTSBURGH MAYOR-ELECT 20;32;41;05 – 20;32;45;00 “There’s just so many moving parts right now that it’s everything’s just sinking in.” (áááVOááá) WENDELL HUGHES IS STILL TAKING IN ALL OF THE EXCITEMENT FROM HIS ELECTION DAY WIN OVER REPUBLICAN AND FORMER PLATTSBURGH MAYOR DON KASPRZAK HUGHES SAYS THE FIRST THING ON HIS AGENDA AS MAYOR IS TO FIND PLATTSBURGH’S NEXT POLICE CHIEF. BUT ADDS THAT CONTINUING A STRONG AND ESSENTIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NEIGHBORING TOWN OF PLATTSBURGH IS KEY. (áááSOTááá) WENDELL HUGHES/ (D) PLATTSBURGH MAYOR-ELECT 20;35;21;10 – 20;35;27;08 “There’s a lot of possibilities for all of us to work together for that one common goal and making our area better.” (áááVOááá) BOTH MUNICIPALITIES HAVE HAD disagreements IN THE PAST – BUT IN 2021, THE PLATTSBURGH CITY-TOWN COMPACT WAS ESTABLISHED AS A WAY TO MOVE FORWARD MAYOR-ELECT HUGHES AND PLATTSBURGH TOWN SUPERVISOR MICHAEL CASHMAN BOTH SAY THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING A HEALTHY AND COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP. (áááSOTááá) WENDELL HUGHES (D) PLATTSBURGH MAYOR-ELECT 20;37;03;11 – 20;37;16;09 “Michael and I have such a good relationship. We’re not always going to agree. But again, he’s got his philosophies are a lot the same as mine. We’re going to communicate, we’re going to collaborate and compromise and if we as long as we can do that, I think we’re going to have a great relationship.” (áááSOTááá) MICHAEL CASHMAN/ TOWN SUPERVISOR 20;28;45;11 – 20;28;55;01 “We’re looking to promote the greater Plattsburgh region, looking for shared opportunities, but also support one another as colleagues in local government.” (áááVOááá) AND COME THE NEW YEAR, THE SOON-TO-BE MAYOR SAYS HE’S READY FOR HIS NEW ROLE LEADING THE LAKE CITY. (áááSOTááá) WENDELL HUGHES (D) PLATTSBURGH MAYOR-ELECT 20;31;22;05 – 20;31;27;14 “It’s real. And I’m so looking forward to meeting the new challenge on January 1st.” HUGHES AND CASHMAN SAY ONE TOPIC THEY ALREADY WOULD LOVE TO COLLABORATE ON IS RECREATION. CURRENT PLATTSBURGH MAYOR CHRIS ROSENQUEST HAS CONTACTED HIS SOON-TO- BE SUCCESSOR ABOUT THE TRAN

Plattsburgh Mayor-elect Wendell Hughes prepares for new role

The Democrat says finding the city’s next police chief and continuing a strong relationship with the town of Plattsburgh are top priorities.

Just a day after claiming victory, Democrat Wendell Hughes is already gearing up for his new post as mayor of Plattsburgh. The mayor-elect, who recently defeated former Plattsburgh mayor and Republican Don Kasprzak, is taking in the excitement of his win while setting priorities for his upcoming term.“There’s just so many moving parts right now,” Hughes said, acknowledging that the reality of his new position is beginning to sink in.At the top of Hughes’ agenda is the search for Plattsburgh’s next police chief, a role he considers crucial to the city’s future. He also stressed the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with the neighboring town of Plattsburgh.“There’s a lot of possibilities for all of us to work together for that one common goal and making our area better,” Hughes said, noting that cooperation is key for regional progress.The Plattsburgh City-Town Compact, established in 2021, has paved the way for smoother relations between the two municipalities, which have sometimes found themselves at odds. Both Hughes and Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael Cashman are optimistic about continuing a collaborative partnership.“Michael and I have such a good relationship,” Hughes said. “We’re not always going to agree, but our philosophies are a lot the same. We’re going to communicate, collaborate and compromise, and as long as we can do that, I think we’re going to have a great relationship.”Cashman echoed Hughes’ sentiments, emphasizing the importance of supporting each other in local government. “We’re looking to promote the greater Plattsburgh region, looking for shared opportunities, but also support one another as colleagues,” he said.As Jan. 1 approaches, Hughes is eager to take the reins in Plattsburgh, a city known for its scenic charm as the Lake City. Recreation is one area in particular where both he and Cashman see the potential for cooperation, envisioning new programs and shared facilities for residents.Current Plattsburgh Mayor Chris Rosenquest has already reached out to Hughes to discuss the transition process.

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. —

Just a day after claiming victory, Democrat Wendell Hughes is already gearing up for his new post as mayor of Plattsburgh.

The mayor-elect, who recently defeated former Plattsburgh mayor and Republican Don Kasprzak, is taking in the excitement of his win while setting priorities for his upcoming term.

“There’s just so many moving parts right now,” Hughes said, acknowledging that the reality of his new position is beginning to sink in.

At the top of Hughes’ agenda is the search for Plattsburgh’s next police chief, a role he considers crucial to the city’s future. He also stressed the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with the neighboring town of Plattsburgh.

“There’s a lot of possibilities for all of us to work together for that one common goal and making our area better,” Hughes said, noting that cooperation is key for regional progress.

The Plattsburgh City-Town Compact, established in 2021, has paved the way for smoother relations between the two municipalities, which have sometimes found themselves at odds. Both Hughes and Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael Cashman are optimistic about continuing a collaborative partnership.

“Michael and I have such a good relationship,” Hughes said. “We’re not always going to agree, but our philosophies are a lot the same. We’re going to communicate, collaborate and compromise, and as long as we can do that, I think we’re going to have a great relationship.”

Cashman echoed Hughes’ sentiments, emphasizing the importance of supporting each other in local government.

“We’re looking to promote the greater Plattsburgh region, looking for shared opportunities, but also support one another as colleagues,” he said.

As Jan. 1 approaches, Hughes is eager to take the reins in Plattsburgh, a city known for its scenic charm as the Lake City. Recreation is one area in particular where both he and Cashman see the potential for cooperation, envisioning new programs and shared facilities for residents.

Current Plattsburgh Mayor Chris Rosenquest has already reached out to Hughes to discuss the transition process.