TIME FOR CHANGE

Lake Placid is at a turning point.

After nearly three decades without a contested mayoral race, it’s time to strengthen how our local government operates — clearer priorities, more structured and efficient meetings, better communication, and a renewed focus on listening to the people who make Lake Placid thrive.

Colleen Charles brings a steady, practical, common sense approach shaped by two years of service on the Town Council. She believes in fiscal responsibility, transparent decision making, and supporting Town employees with the leadership, direction, and tools they need to succeed.

Lake Placid deserves leadership that is prepared, accountable, and focused on the future — working alongside employees, citizens, and the local business community to build a stronger, more responsive Town Hall.

Colleen's Focus

Colleen spent 40 years at a major automotive company and retired as a senior executive in global finance and accounting, where she led large teams, managed complex budgets, and directed major projects. She holds an MBA from MIT and will apply that experience to protect taxpayer dollars, improve service delivery, and bring disciplined, results‑focused leadership to Lake Placid. Her priorities are:

• Community Trust

• Fiscal Care

• Efficient, Structured Government

• Empowered Staff & Outstanding Service

Fiscal Care

Strong financial stewardship is the foundation of responsible government. With four decades leading global finance and accounting teams, Colleen will bring disciplined budgeting, plain‑language reporting, and long‑range planning so citizens and businesses understand how tax dollars are used.

• Clear budgets — Easy‑to‑read summaries and plain‑language explanations.

• Careful review — Regular oversight of spending, contracts, and reserves.

• Long‑term planning — Funding priorities that protect infrastructure and future needs.

Community Trust

Trust grows from predictable processes, timely communication, and inclusive outreach. Colleen will expand two‑way communication with citizens and the local business community, provide accessible meeting materials, and ensure decisions follow the Town Charter.

• Open communication — Regular updates, clear meeting materials, and accessible summaries.

• Inclusive outreach — Early engagement with citizens and businesses before major decisions.

• Charter compliance — Decisions and procedures that follow established rules.

Efficient, Structured Government

Meetings and workflows should be productive and respectful of everyone’s time. Drawing on executive experience in project management, Colleen will introduce clear agendas, reasonable time limits, and management tools that help staff and council stay aligned so the Town can address priorities efficiently.

• Clear agendas — Prioritized items with estimated times.

• Time limits — Reasonable limits to keep discussion focused and fair.

• Management tools — Role clarity, project tracking, and follow‑up so actions are completed.

Empowered Staff & Outstanding Service

A motivated, well‑supported staff delivers better results for everyone. Colleen will work alongside Town employees to provide clearer roles, targeted training, and practical tools so employees, citizens, and the local business community receive timely, professional service.

• Employee support — Clear role descriptions, training opportunities, and tools that reduce administrative burden.

• Customer service — Standard response times, accessible points of contact, and plain‑language guidance for common requests.

• Performance with respect — Fair expectations, regular feedback, and recognition programs that reward good work.