Tupper Lake, NY, Aug 25, 2011 — Tupper Lake village mayor Mickey Desmarais says he won't seek another term and is bowing out of the mayor's race. In an interview with the Tupper Lake Free Press, Desmarais said the criticism that he has received over his handling of the Adirondack Club and Resort project has put strain on his family. "It doesn't bother me, but it hurts them," Desmarais told the newspaper.

Desmarais has continued to raise questions about the proposed resort, its impact on the local economy and plans for the Big Tupper Ski resort. The mayor had faced growing criticism from his opponent in the race, Republican Paul Maroun, who argued that village leaders should strongly back the project.

Speaking with WNBZ radio, Maroun said the community's mayor should be "110% behind the resort." According to Maroun, environmental groups are "still out there right now lobbying in Albany to kill this project."

The Adirondack Club and Resort project is expected to face a vote by the Adirondack Park Agency in January.