Saturday, October 10, 2026 | St. Lawrence County, NY
CANTON — Allan Robinson says his military service, work with a member of Congress and experience serving local residents have shaped his approach to government, with a focus on leadership, …
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BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This WeekCANTON — Allan Robinson says his military service, work with a member of Congress and experience serving local residents have shaped his approach to government, with a focus on leadership, financial discipline and responsible management of taxpayer money.
Robinson, a Republican, was appointed to the St. Lawrence County Legislature in May following the departure of Ben Hull. He is seeking to continue representing District 8, which includes portions of Canton, Madrid and Potsdam.
Robinson enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating from high school and served as an infantryman. He said his early military experience included poor leadership that hurt morale, followed later by a positive experience with a sergeant in Korea who treated his soldiers with respect.
“That difference taught me a lasting lesson: good leadership can make all the difference,” Robinson said.
After leaving the military, Robinson returned home and later worked as a constituent liaison for Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. He said he helped hundreds of local residents navigate problems involving the federal government.
That experience reinforced his belief that government should work for the people it serves, he said.
Robinson later worked as a fire and security technician, helping protect homes and businesses in the community.
Since joining the County Legislature, Robinson said he has been learning how county government operates and wants to continue that work if elected.
He identifies changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, as the county’s biggest immediate financial challenge.
Robinson said changes in federal funding responsibilities could shift additional costs to New York counties and eventually cost St. Lawrence County millions of dollars. He said the county should look to Albany for assistance rather than simply passing those costs on to local taxpayers.
One option, he said, would be for New York to change its cost-sharing structure and absorb more of the expense. He also said the state could seek waivers related to SNAP work requirements in areas with high unemployment or limited job opportunities.
Protecting local taxpayers would be Robinson’s top priority if elected to a full term.
He said the county should use its fund balance strategically when necessary, work with other rural counties to address state and federal mandates, and support local resolutions calling for changes to programs that place additional costs on counties.
“The day-to-day job is making sure the county itself is run tightly so we don’t have to keep raising taxes on people who are already struggling,” Robinson said.
Robinson also pointed to Medicaid-related changes and other state and federal mandates as growing pressures on the county budget.
He said the county should identify the cost of those mandates more clearly each year and look for ways to reduce operating expenses. He cited the county’s management of its tax rate and reserves over the past decade as evidence that financial discipline can work.
Robinson said he would like the county to take a stronger position on what he considers unfunded mandates, including costs associated with SNAP and medication-assisted treatment requirements at the county jail.
Rather than simply managing rising expenses, he said, county officials should look for operational efficiencies that can slow spending growth.
Robinson also said the County Legislature can use its voice on broader issues, including Second Amendment rights, what he described as “biological reality” and property ownership.
He said the county could pass resolutions on those issues and work with other counties to bring concerns to state lawmakers.
Robinson said those issues are secondary to the Legislature’s primary responsibility of managing county government and its finances.
He said strengthening the county’s financial position would give local officials more flexibility and make it easier to push back against state and federal mandates while freeing resources for local priorities.
“I’m beyond honored to have the opportunity to represent a portion of this beautiful county,” Robinson said.
“I believe the more we can strengthen our own financial footing and reduce reliance on Albany, the better position we’ll be in to push back against unfunded mandates and free up resources for the priorities that actually matter to the people who live here.”
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