The River Area Council of Governments (RACOG) is one of five in the Tug Hill region. Its formation was prompted by a 1998 management study, which was designed and implemented in response to economic concerns associated with the closing of two major industries in the respective towns and villages. The townships of Wilna and Champion and the villages of Carthage and West Carthage banded together in January 2000 to discuss cooperation on seven of the identified functional areas that would improve service delivery to enhance the quality of life for residents. On February 29, 2000, the Intermunicipal Agreement was adopted by G. Wayne McIlroy, President of Carthage; Don Getman, Mayor of West Carthage; Larry Gerber, Town of Wilna Supervisor; and Terry Buckley, Town of Champion Supervisor, to form the River Area Council of Government (RACOG). On June 20, 2000, respective representatives of the four municipalities signed the Intermunicipal Agreement.
RACOG is composed of six towns and six villages, including the towns of Champion, Croghan, Denmark, Lowville, Watson, and Wilna, and the villages of Carthage, Castorland, Copenhagen, Deferiet, Lowville, and West Carthage. RACOG has an executive board that meets regularly to collaborate on projects, including infrastructure, natural resources, shared services, and other critical issues that impact RACOG.
Circuit Rider – Mickey Dietrich (Lowville, 315-681-5023)
www.racog.org