Plattsburgh - Two terms filled with economic development and community-building convinced Plattsburgh voters that they wanted incumbent Mayor Dan Stewart in office for another three years. In a landslide victory, Stewart, who ran as both a Republican and an Independent, captured 74 percent of the vote, defeating Democratic candidate Robert Hall. Final vote counts were 4756-1688.
      Hall, a retired businessman and bar owner, has been a candidate before, having run against incumbent Mayor Clyde Rabideau before Rabideau was defeated by Stewart.
     Stewart's campaign was based on his continuing plans of transforming Plattsburgh into a destination city.      Development plans include the construction of a hotel and conference center along the city's waterfront, and the creation of an arts and cultural community. The plan includes the renovation of the historic Strand Theater on Brinkerhoff Street, and the on-going metamorphosis of the City Farmer's Market to include live entertainment and antique and collectible vendors. Recently, Stewart has called for property taxes on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus as a way to augment city funds.
     The Plattsburgh mayor has been quoted as being in firm opposition to his party's stance against gay marriage, but said he has no plans to leave the GOP.