BY ADAM ATKINSON
North Country This Week

POTSDAM — A challenge has been filed with the county Board of Elections questioning if a write-in candidate for village board of trustees actually resides in the village.

However, William Pena who is running for one of two village trustees seats as a write-in candidate, not only says that his village residency is being challenged, but that issues are being raised with local officials about the placement of his election signs lately as well.

According to the St. Lawrence County Board of Elections, Pena changed his voter registration address from 1548 County Route 35 in the town of Potsdam to 30 Leroy St., Apt. 6 in the village on Sept. 25. The board of elections finalized the change on Oct. 4.

“I did forward my lease over to the Democratic and Republican national committees a few weeks ago when I received a certified letter in the mail. It was sent to my address in the village,” Pena told North Country This Week.

“I also have my utilities under my name and to my village address. I’ve been working very hard over the last few weeks on my campaign and I welcome you over to my apartment anytime. I am the property manager for many rentals in the village and living in the village is the most efficient and effective way to do my job,” he said.

However, the challenge by Shelley Warner Levison of Norwood, filed on Oct. 7 with the BOE, claims that Pena’s new Leroy Street address is vacant and that he does not reside there.

“I believe William Pena has changed his address with the Board of Elections in order to run for village trustee in the Village of Potsdam, he does not reside at the address he has provided on his voter registration form, he resides at 1548 County Route 35 in the town of Potsdam outside the village,” Warner Levison writes in the challenge. “His many properties owned according to the NYS Department of State Division of Corporations shows Mr. Pena’s residence at 19 Hodkin Street, Canton, NY,” Warner Levison writes.

According to county Election Commissioner Jennie Bacon, candidates for village office must reside in the village for 30 days prior to taking office on Dec. 1, obligating Pena to reside at 30 Leroy St., Apt. 6 from Nov. 1 onward.

Bacon said normally the board would follow up to verify voter registration addresses, but due to the short time frame before the election, that the board had turned the matter over to the county sheriff for verification of Pena’s Leroy Street address.

Village Clerk Lori Queor said that the requirements for running for village trustee are under Village Law Section 3-300 (1) and Public Officers Law Section 3(1).

“To be eligible to hold an elective village office, an individual must be 18 years of age or older; a citizen of the United States; and a resident of the village,” Queor told North County This Week.

Meanwhile, Pena says that issues are being raised about his election signs as well.

“I received numerous calls regarding my signs just placed this week. There has been NO issue raised with any of the other candidate’s signs regarding placement or size. However within hours, my signs have received many calls to code enforcement, village administration, police department and board of elections. I have been in contact with all of the above departments and have complied — signs were removed. They have been very professional and understanding,” Pena told North Country This Week.

“Somehow people are trying to adversely affect my campaign. First it was challenging my address, then it was complaining where my signs were hung, then my signs were on the right of way, then they are too close to the curb and not 10 feet away, then my signs are too big. What’s next?” Pena said.

“I am all for following the rules and laws of Potsdam village. No complaints of any signs were received until my signs went up. I just want to be treated fairly, treated just like any other candidate regarding placement and size of campaign signs,” the candidate said.