Kevin Pentalow says he hopes his position of Mayor of the Village of Brushton will help him make his hometown better.
"I'd like to have more community-based events and bring more of the community together," Pentalow said. "Because right now there's not a lot of that. A lot of people are distant here."
Pentalow is optimistic that his career path and interests will help him in that journey. The 37-year-old is a corrections officer in Malone, and last year he took part in the manhunt for escaped inmates Richard Matt and David Sweat.
He's also a musician, a father and a husband -- and he's an Orthodox Christian priest.
"I have a strong faith, and that's why I want to do a lot of good things for this community," Pentalow said.
It's principles like faith that the mayor-elect plans to use in office. The current mayor, Donald Barney, says Pentalow will have a lot of decisions to make about the Village of Brushton's future once he steps into his new role.
"There's been considerable pressure from Albany and things to do away with the village. And that's a decision he'll have to make," Barney said.
But Pentalow says the idea of potentially dissolving the village hasn't been a forefont concern.
"One step at a time," Pentalow said. "I haven't really researched that too much."
Pentalow added he has plenty of goals for his community, like revitalization and bringing more grants to beautify the village.