Ron McDougall is a busy man. Reviewing and signing papers - McDougall says there is a lot to get done in the mayor's office in the village of Gouverneur.

The problem? McDougall isn't the mayor, he's the deputy mayor and now, acting mayor. This after Chris Miller resigned from the position earlier this week.

7News was unable reach Miller for comment.

"We had a good discussion, I think it was a fair discussion, we both made points, and we talked about him, his family, and future, and we also talked about the future of the people of Gouverneur," said Ron McDougall, Acting Mayor of Gouverneur.

Miller's time in office was controversial. A convicted felon, Miller is also reportedly battling financial issues and two board members resigned earlier this year under his leadership. 

"It wasn't working well, when he came to meetings he didn't really have any idea of what was going on and Ron kind of had to walk him through meetings," said Charles Newvine, Gouverneur Village Board Member.

So the question becomes, what's next? Well, there'll be a special election held this Fall to determine a new mayor. And Deputy Mayor McDougall tells us his name will be on that ballot.

"I'm optimistic that, you know, been doing some research on that and I'm very interested and I'm starting the process today of circulating independent petitions for that purpose," McDougall said.

And for residents with concerns about who's running village government? Officials say there are bigger issues to worry about.

"Over the next five years the Village of Gouverneur is going to have to come up with about $10 million to fix the infrastructure, the highway, the water problem on the east side, the sewer separation," Newvine said.

Those are major projects McDougall says he hopes to be in charge of, as the village's next elected mayor.