It has been a rocky start for Gouverneur's new mayor.

Chris Miller (pictured above) says it has been difficult since he defeated former mayor Dorothy Vorce in the November election.

But after his first month in office, Miller hopes it will get better.

He doesn't hide he fact he is a convicted felon on probation.

It's something he says he's not proud of as he tries to earn back respect.
 
"I have a tremendous amount of support and...the past is the past. We're looking forward. We have a lot of projects on the table and those are what we're going to focus on," said Miller.

Miller was convicted in 2004 in North Carolina on felony charges of forgery and possession of cocaine.

In 2008, he was arrested in St. Lawrence County on grand larceny charges, but accepted a plea deal on a lesser criminal count.

In 2010, Miller was sentenced to three years probation in Jefferson County following his conviction on criminal trespass and petit larceny charges.

Because he's a convicted felon, he can't sign village checks.

Last month, village trustees named Vorce as administrator through June at a $500 a month salary.

"I can serve as a liaison between the board and the community," said Vorce.

But, several hours after our interview with Vorce, she abruptly resigned, effective immediately.

She turned in her keys.

A village trustee, Carl Petitto, has also resigned.
 
The village administrator's position was first created by resolution in 1966.

The job was vacant for the past 8 years until trustees voted to appoint the former mayor to the part-time job at last month's organizational meeting.
 
New York's Conference of Mayors put out an advisory opinion that the board didn't have the right to hire her in the way it did.

7 News has learned Mayor Miller has asked St. Lawrence County Legislator Don Peck if he would be interested in the appointment.

Peck says it wouldn't be a conflict with his county position should Miller decide to appoint him.

The village appears to be in turmoil - turmoil Miller says he wants to be done with.
 
"There has to be cooperation. There has to understanding and there has to be compromise," said Miller.
 
The board meets again January 17.

Although the administrator's job isn't on the agenda, it certainly remains on the minds of the mayor and trustees.

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