BY ADAM ATKINSON
North Country This Week

POTSDAM -- A new mayor and two new trustees were sworn in at the village’s annual reorganizational meeting Monday night and the longtime mayor who is stepping down was honored by the village.

Mayor Alexandra Jacobs Wilke was sworn in by outgoing Mayor Ron Tischler who has served on the board as trustee and mayor collectively for more than three decades.

Wilke was sworn in by Tischler with her two young daughters holding the book. Wilke, formerly a village trustee, overwhelmingly defeated write-in challenger Joseph Bowen, to win the seat in November.

New trustee Sharon Williams, the executive director of the North Country Children’s Museum was sworn in by Wilke while Deputy Mayor Steve Warr held the book.

New trustee Lynzie Schulte, with her family standing by, was also sworn in by Wilke and Warr. Schulte owns and operates the Foster the Plant Café.

Following the swearing in, Wilke honored Tischler with a plaque of commendation for his service to the village.

“A few weeks ago I had the honor of presenting to Ron the Commitment to Community Award at the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce annual dinner and it was well deserved and hard earned,” Wilke said. “We’re here to thank him tonight for his 34 consecutive years of service to the village of Potsdam, 14 of which have been as mayor.”

“I want to thank Ron for his leadership which has contributed to the advancement of the community in a myriad of ways over the decades,” Wilke said.

Wilke said Tischler’s dedication over the years inspired a sense of pride and legacy which she intended to continue.

“And what sets you apart is not just your list of accomplishments but your humble, collaborative approach to leadership. Your focus has always been on what’s doing best for the majority of the residents and I will take that lesson to heart,” she said. Wilke said Tischler has consistently redirected the spotlight for accomplishments during his tenure toward the community.

“Ron, your legacy is not just the sum of your achievements. It’s the inspiration you have instilled in all of us that strive for a better, more connected community. So, to Mayor Ron Tischler, it’s been an honor working with you,” Wilke said, presenting Tischler with the plaque.

At the start of the reorganizational meeting Wilke addressed the gallery and thanked her supporters.

“I’m completely overwhelmed and humbled to be presiding here over my first meeting as mayor and to have my family and friends here to be part of this moment,” Wilke said. “I’ve been blessed to have such a strong support system over the course of my life and that has followed me here to Potsdam.”

Wilke said during the past few weeks she has been “gratified” to meet with voters from all walks of life in the village.

“I just want to say that relationships matter and it's the relationships we have that really make this place what it is,” Wilke said. “Our service that begins here today as a new team is really about all of you, our community members, our neighbors. It's about all of us and what we can really do together, and I really believe in this community.”

During Wilke’s remarks Tischler briefly interjected.

“May I interrupt for just one second, I forgot to give Alex the key to the city, actually the village of Potsdam,” Tischler said, and presented Wilke with a key to the village offices.