Fred Balzac moved to Essex County full time 30 years ago. Ever since, he’s been active in local government as a truly independent Democrat (and, for a time, a Green). Community issues are Fred’s passion. He is dogged in creative problem solving and eager to challenge the status quo if it isn’t inclusive of all the residents. He stands up to special interests and holds elected officials to account. He is not one to back down until he gets a job done.

Fred Balzac is running for Town Council in North Elba — Lake Placid, Ray Brook and Saranac Lake — where affordable housing for middle- and low-income residents is not only lacking, it too often isn’t up to code. Fred will tirelessly attend and speak out at our town board meetings to expand the inclusivity of committees to protect the rights of tenants while being fair to landlords. He will lobby state and federal government to fund innovative public housing projects where people of all income levels live together. As a North Elba homeowner, he’s invested in maximizing municipal services to keep taxes down and assessments fair and equitable.

Fred is a team player who will put people in our town before profits and year-round residents before special interests. He is mindful of the coming climate challenges and will push hard for ecologically sustainable development, like getting Lake Placid to embrace solar/renewable energy solutions for town, commercial and private properties. He is dedicated to diversifying our local economy and is actively engaged in the arts as an economic driver for the area through his role as the grant coordinator for the New York State Council on the Arts-funded grants. His whole family is invested in the cultural vibrancy of our region. We consider Fred Balzac an exciting prospect for Town Council.

Ren Davidson Seward

Peter Seward

Saranac Lake