OTEGO — The recent controversy surrounding the possible location of a youth prison in Otego has spurred a challenge to the town's representative on the Otsego County Board of Representatives.

Jim Salisbury began a write-in campaign early this month to represent the town of Otego and Laurens on the county board. He is challenging two-term incumbent Ronald Feldstein, a Democrat running unopposed on the ballot.

Election day is Nov. 6.

Salisbury, a vice-president with Wilber National Bank in Oneonta, said Wednesday he has wanted to run for the position for a number of years but decided to seek write-in support now because of the way Feldstein handled the issue of the possible siting of the juvenile prison in the town.

"He should have listened to what constituents were telling him," Salisbury said about the signatures of opponents of the facility that the committee supporting him presented to the town and county board. More than 860 people signed the petitions.

But Feldstein said Wednesday he did hear the message presented.

"I represented my constituents by bringing them an opportunity for economic development and jobs," Feldstein said.

The decision on the merits of the issue belonged to the town, Feldstein said, which eventually voted to withdraw itself from consideration.

Salisbury said he supported the concept of bringing the money the facility promised into the county. But "the choice of location was important to me as a resident of Otego."

However, Feldstein said, "It was not my job to approve it or reject it. My job was to bring it to the table. ... The town did what it had to do and the book should be closed."

Feldstein said because of his responsibilities in helping prepare the county budget for the upcoming year, there will not be a lot of time for him to campaign.

But he planned on using his regular constituent days in Otego and Laurens as a "candidates night" to discuss the issues with Salisbury. He will be in Otego at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29 p.m. and in Laurens on at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30.

At this point, Salisbury said he doesn't plan on participating in such meetings.

"I just want to get out and meet the people," he said. "The people will have a choice."

Salisbury is supported in his efforts by members of the Otego Committee Against the Prison. Since the town voted to withdraw from consideration, a number of the members have remained involved with political issues.

Buzz Hesse, committee co-chairman said, "we are promoting Jim as a write-in candidate."

Feldstein said he has the support of organizations such as the local Civil Service Employees Association.