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Horrigan Won’t Seek Second Term As County Executive

County Executive Vince Horrigan announced Wednesday he won’t seek re-election. P-J photo by Jimmy McCarthy

MAYVILLE — A jar sits on the desk of the Chautauqua County Executive.

In the jar are questions that the previous county executive posed to the next one taking office.

Mark Thomas wrote one for Greg Edwards. Edwards left one for Vince Horrigan.

Come the end of the year, it’ll be Horrigan’s turn to pen one to the next county executive who takes office in 2018.

As Horrigan concluded the State of the County address Wednesday evening, he told county legislators, departments heads and those in attendance he wouldn’t be seeking another term in office. His announcement came with emotion, having served two years as a county legislator prior to becoming the county executive on Jan. 1, 2014.

Horrigan, a Republican from Bemus Point, said the decision came over the last year as projects and initiatives began to formulate and “things were starting to happen.” While there’s still work ahead in his final year, he said he’s ready to spend more time with his wife and family.

“I do believe throughout my life that you don’t stay as a leader. You just don’t homestead in a position,” he said. “You take it to where you can take it and then you hand it off to the next leader who’s got energy, ideas and new contacts. I believe in that strongly.”

The county executive spent his final address delving into the progress made on the Chautauqua 20/20 Comprehensive Plan, which lays out strategic goals that citizens identified in 2011 to build a vibrant community.

From tourism and agriculture, workforce development and housing to health care and education and more, Horrigan said the progress underway is undeniable. The work isn’t over, however.

“Primarily, I want to advance regional solutions. That’s No.1,” he said. “We got a lot started and I want to try to advance it forward. I want to put good energy and people behind them. We’ve seen so much progress, but so much is yet to come.”

Horrigan said he’ll continue to work with local officials to ensure the Athenex project in Dunkirk stays on track. Horrigan said he’ll also fight aggressively with state Sen. Cathy Young for transitional assistance for the NRG plant in Dunkirk.

“I want to see these projects come into a more mature status,” he said.

Horrigan said he’s been privileged to work closely with elected officials and the county workforce to improve citizens lives. In his final year as county executive, Horrigan said he’ll continued to push hard for progress until the last day of his term.

With Horrigan’s announcement, new faces will enter the scene from both parties in the county executive race. Norman P. Green, Chautauqua County Democratic Committee chairman, acknowledged there’s been interest and it will “get serious now.”

Dave Wilfong, legislator and county Republican Party chairman, said they’ll be looking for someone to fill Horrigan’s shoes.

“We’re going to be out looking for qualified individuals,” he said. “It really depends on the person’s background and willingness with other people. That’s the key and that’s what Vince brought to the table.”

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