Trustee Judy Sollinger Jumping into Race for Village President

Oswego Trustee Judy Sollinger has announced plans to run in April's election for village president against incumbent Brian LeClercq, the man who originally appointed her to the Village Board in 2007.

LeClercq, who found out from Sollinger last week about her intention to run, said he was taken aback by the announcement.

"I was somewhat surprised that she's running. I had appointed her and I had gone through a lot to get her on the board," LeClercq said of the time in 2007 when Sollinger's appointment was met with stiff opposition from some trustees.

Sollinger said she appreciated LeClercq's original support, but that she has since won her seat on the board and was the highest vote-getter in the April 2009 election. She said she talked at length with LeClercq, assuring him her decision was "nothing personal."

"I like Brian. I've known him a long time," she said. "This is not about that."

Sollinger said she was prompted to run by what she sees as an anti-business environment in town.

"Lately we're beginning to get a reputation as anti-business," she said. "We have a negative attitude on the Village Board right now, and we need to change direction."

LeClercq acknowledged the village, along with the rest of the country, has gone through difficult times. However, he said the development of an $18 million senior housing complex on the village's west side is a sign that progress is being made.

"I think we're going through tough economic times," he said. "I don't know any municipality that's got it easy right now."

Nominating petitions for the village president seat and that of three trustees will be accepted at from Dec. 13 to 20. Sollinger and LeClercq both said they have heard former Village President Budd Bieber and resident Philip Smith are circulating petitions for village president as well.