BY ADAM ATKINSON
North Country This Week

CANTON — The current Canton town clerk announced that she will not run for the position in the fall, citing what she called a toxic work environment and conditions surrounding her appointment to the spot late last year.

“When I was appointed town clerk - in much the same way the previous clerk had been - I was excited but also expected it could be a rough road given the misinformation surrounding my appointment,” current clerk Karin Blackburn said in an official statement Thursday. “But I couldn’t have imagined what was actually in store. I have never been treated with the disrespect and lack of civility I have since taking the Canton Town Clerk job on January 1 of this year.

“I have faced accusations of taking money, not knowing what I am doing, and being dishonest; I have been confronted in public places by random community members attacking my integrity and intentions, shunned in my workplace, and had coffee dumped on my car in the municipal parking lot. Enough is enough,” Blackburn said.

Some members of the public have been vocal in their criticism of the town board and Blackburn over their appointment of her as interim clerk following the retirement of former clerk Lisa Hammond in December. About 70 people attended the Dec. 31 meeting where Blackburn was appointed to voice concerns over the move. Blackburn had resigned her position as a town council member a few days earlier in anticipation of the appointment.

The town council defended their decision at the time, citing Blackburn’s work experience for their decision.

However, a number of people voiced support for current assistant clerk Heidi Smith, who had also applied for the position but was sidelined by the board in favor of Blackburn.

“I have enjoyed the work I have done in the Clerk’s Office. I believe I have improved processes and workflows, and am proud of the strong working relationships I have built with many with whom I work and interact. I have the knowledge, skills, and temperament to make the changes necessary to ensure that things are being done right in the Town Clerk’s office, but I simply can’t do it in the face of such hostility and disrespect,” Blackburn said.

“I am grateful for the opportunity the Town Board gave me, and I truly appreciate the courage and vision they showed in making what they thought was the best choice for the Town of Canton’s Clerk. I have a strong passion to do good things for the community, and the work ethic to do the Clerk’s job and do it well,” Blackburn said. “But I don’t believe that is possible in the toxic environment that currently surrounds my position. I will complete the term for which I was appointed, however I feel at this time it is better and healthier for me to move on and find other ways to contribute to this community I love, and will therefore not seek nomination or election.”

With Blackburn stepping out of the bid for the seat in the fall election, the only candidate currently running for the town clerk’s spot is Smith who is running on the Republican ticket.