The Chautauqua County Libertarian Party held its eighth convention recently while paying tribute to the party’s former chairman.

Chair/Vice-Chair Bob Peterson called the convention to order. The following officers were elected for 2024-26: Andrew Kolstee as chair/treasurer, Bob Peterson as vice chair, with a vacancy left in the position.

Kolstee recently completed a two-year term as state chair of the Libertarian Party of New York until he declined to run for re-election at the State Convention in Albany in September. He is now serving as state secretary, a position he also held from 2020 to 2022. Duane Whitmer, former first vice chair of the state Libertarian Party and current Erie County Libertarian Party chair, was elected state chair.

A tribute and moment of silence was held in memory of Len Morlock, longtime Libertarian Party activist who served as chair of the Chautauqua County Libertarian Party from 2022 until his unexpected death on August 26, 2024, at the age of 52. He was also vice-chair of the county party from 2017 to 2022.

“Len was a pillar of the local liberty community and an unwavering advocate for freedom and libertarian principles,” Chautauqua County Libertarian Party officials said in a statement. “Len’s loss is deeply felt by the Chautauqua County Libertarian Party, the Libertarian Party of New York, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His passion for liberty and his tireless work for our cause will be remembered always.”

The full statement can be found on the party’s website.

Anyone with questions about the party or interest in getting involved, whether it is attending meetings, running for office, participating in a town committee, contact the party. Follow the page on Facebook (facebook.com/chautauquaLP), visit the website (www.chautauqualp.org) or email organizers at info@chautauqualp.org.