Johnathan Penhollow

MAYVILLE — A new face has joined the Chautauqua County Legislature.

On Wednesday, the legislature appointed Johnathan Penhollow of Stockton to become the representative for Legislative District 7. The district covers the towns of Stockton, Portland, and a portion of the town of Chautauqua. He takes over the seat vacated by Mark Odell, who resigned after accepting a new position in Florida.

Penhollow has been a member of the county Planning Board for the last 10 years. He previously served on the Stockton Planning Board. He has not run for office before.

Penhollow noted that his children are in college and he has time now to get more involved in the community. “This is kind of the next logical step,” he said.

Penhollow was nominated by the Republican district committees of Stockton, Portland and District 4 of the town of Chautauqua.

In a previous interview, Republican Election Commissioner Brian Abram said Odell’s name is already on the ballot for November and he is the only person listed. According to election law, it’s too late to for either party to add names the ballot this fall. Write in candidates are accepted.

After the election, assuming Odell wins re-election, he will need to decline to take the oath of office and Penhollow will continue until November of 2022, when he will need to run for office for a one-year term.

Penhollow owns and operates Great Lake Tree Service. He’s run other businesses in the past, including restaurants and trash hauling.