The Enterprise asked some of these locals and visitors about their thoughts about the presidential election. The responses were varied, but many fell into the categories that have become talking points on the national stage: the economy and women’s health.

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What matters to these voters

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Colette Hirshblonde, a Saranac Lake resident of 10 years and mother of three, holds her youngest child as her other two kids play on the playground at Peacock Park on Monday. (Enterprise photo — Grace McIntyre)

Jim Van Sickels and Susan Sirakovsky, from New Jersey, were taking in the sights along Main Street after getting engaged this past weekend. When asked what issue matters to them most in the upcoming presidential election, they both answered easily: women’s rights.

“Women should have all of the rights over their own body, that’s my opinion,” Van Sickels said.

“I’m the exact same,” Sirakovsky said. “Nobody should be able to tell me what I can and cannot do with my body.”

Kristen and AJ Brown just arrived in Lake Placid yesterday on a visit from Orlando, Florida. AJ said the issue that matters to him most in this election is the economy and Kristen said she is most concerned about the health care system and the regulation of food.

Russ Manning has lived in Lake Placid for more than 40 years and is now retired. He was wearing a black hat with “Marines” embroidered on it in gold letters — he served stateside for six years. He also said that he was most concerned about the economy, specifically inflation.

Jim Van Sickels and Susan Sirakovsky, recently engaged and visiting from Bergen County, New Jersey, are pictured at Mid’s Park in Lake Placid on Monday. (Enterprise photo — Grace McIntyre)

Away from the activity of Main Street, Colette Hirshblonde was holding a bundled-up baby and watching her older two children, ages 3 and 5, run around the playground at Peacock Park. She said her concerns for the upcoming election were centered around family.

“That would include the economy. We’re kind of a traditional family, my husband and I, so the family unit,” Hirshblonde said, adding that abortion was also a big concern for her. “We have to raise these three kids, and they’re not cheap.”

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Hopes for the future

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AJ and Kristen Brown, visiting from Orlando, Florida, are pictured on Main Street in Lake Placid on Monday. (Enterprise photo — Grace McIntyre)

When asked what their hopes were for the future of the country, people had to think a bit harder.

“I don’t know how to put it in words — just peace,” Sirakovsky said, adding that she thinks there is no place for violence in the country, or in the world.

Van Sickels said he wants to see less extremism and disinformation. He thinks our lives were better before it was overrun with personal technology.

The Browns had hopes for the future that related to their concerns.

“Just a better outlook in the job market, so people can afford to live and eat and have less stress over that,” AJ said. “You shouldn’t have to worry about where your next meal is going to come from.”

“For me, it’s many things — hopefully not a world war, better foreign relations,” Kristen said. “I think our food could be better managed and more grown in the states, which would help our costs, too.”

Manning said one of his hopes was economic prosperity, and struggled to find words for the other hope.

“What would be a word for people getting along?” Manning asked. “Because they don’t.”

When “civility” was suggested, Manning laughed and agreed.

“That’s a good one,” he said. “Nobody wants to reach out anymore to anybody, I guess.”

Hirshblonde said she hopes the country will return to more Christian values, something she said her father fought for as a marine. She grew up as a “military brat,” which meant her entire family made sacrifices and continues to grapple with the impact of his military service.

“So many men and women have sacrificed to build what we have here,” Hirshblonde said. “And I think we’ve lost sight of that.”