Chautauqua County Democrats will re-nominate Norman P. Green to serve yet another four-year term as Democratic election commissioner after the nomination of his successor timed out before the County Legislature.

County Democrats had chosen deputy commissioner Luz Torres to replace Green in October. Green, the party’s longtime election commissioner, had originally announced his intention to retire during the fall.

However, Torres’ recommendation was not taken up by the County Legislature within a 60-day period and expired during the first week of December, according to a release. Torres would have been the first Hispanic department head in the county’s history.

In a release sent to The Post-Journal and OBSERVER, Green emphasized his continued advocacy for Torres’ nomination, calling it “insane that in 2020 the County Legislature has rejected a fully qualified and trained minority woman and instead is pushing for her to train the unqualified white male.”

“The legislators I have spoken with agree that Luz Torres is trained and ready for the job,” said Green.

Torres’ appointment has been a hot-button issue since its announcement — during an Oct. 28 meeting of the County Legislature, five county legislators each agreed to withdraw her name for consideration before the full body.

The resolution, originally passed in the Administrative Services Committee, was signed by county legislators Robert Scudder, R-Fredonia; Kevin Muldowney, R-Dunkirk; John Davis, R-Frewsburg; Lisa Vanstrom, R-Ellicott; and Christine Starks, D-Fredonia. According to county attorney Stephen Abdella, all five legislators agreed to withdraw the resolution.

Green, in his role as county Democratic chairman, attempted to speak on the issue during the meeting, but was removed by a deputy sheriff at the request of Democratic Legislature Minority Leader Charles Nazzaro “because the appointment resolution had been removed and Nazzaro claimed Green no longer was entitled to speak to a resolution that was withdrawn from the agenda.”

“It would be the greatest privilege of my life to be removed from this legislature chamber,” Green said prior to his removal.

At that meeting, six Democrats spoke out against Torres’ appointment: Katie Smith of Bemus Point, Judy Einach of Westfield, Phyllis Caloren of Ellery, Mike Rowe of Ripley, Greg Rabb of Jamestown, and Loren Kent of Ellington.

Kent had also expressed interest in the position and was critical of the selection process, alleging that Green had changed the voting procedures in 2018 to use a weighted vote system that gives a total of 208 points among three committee members, while the remaining 20 committee members have 216 points. However, Green noted in this release that the process was unanimously agreed upon by supporters of both candidates.

“The Kent contingent only complained starting days after the vote and only because they were surprised with the resulting recommendation of Torres,” the release said.

Torres, meanwhile, did receive the support of Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas, Ned Divine, Lilian Divine, Edwin Ramos, Donna Karcz and Marcia Johnson during the meeting. All live in the Dunkirk-Fredonia area. A group of private citizens also penned a letter to Democratic legislators Christine Starks of Fredonia, Robert Bankoski of Dunkirk, and Charles Nazzaro of Jamestown voicing their support for Torres in November.

The letter, signed by Susan Parker of Fredonia, included the names of 38 other community members, mostly women.

“While many might view this as a partisan matter, we view this as a very public matter,” the letter said. “As you are aware … our election commissioners play a significant role in our democratic society (please note the small ‘d’). Our election commissioners, who are paid by the taxpayers, ensure that residents who wish to vote are protected in that right and provided the opportunity to exercise that right.”

Parker said she is concerned that Ms. Torre’s promotional appointment is being stopped for unrelated political reasons.

“This is a picture-perfect example of what too often happens to well-qualified individuals,” Parker said. “There is little or no thought or concern for them as individuals. They are easily discounted and cast aside. We want that to stop. Ms. Torres is most deserving, and she should be appointed.”

“All legislators agree that Torres is qualified and deny that she is being blocked because she is a minority or a woman,” Green said. “I take them at their word and ask that they work with the Democratic Party Committee leadership to work out a compromise that allows Torres to rightfully take her place as Election Commissioner.”

An organizational meeting of the County Legislature is scheduled for Monday evening at 4 p.m.