While Southern Tier TEA Party Patriots have not yet weighed in on U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy, center, they have on state Assemblyman Andrew Goodell and County Executive PJ Wendel. Submitted photo

During the winter doldrums of February, leading county Republicans were put on notice. Members of the Southern Tier TEA Party Patriots, in a petition, wrote about being “disappointed in the lack of leadership … on issues of vital importance to our county and nation.”

Though less than 50 signatures were included in the document sent to Nacole Ellis, county Republican party chairwoman, and other elected officials who included Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel, the concerns voiced by the engaged individuals cannot come as much of a surprise. One thing our local leaders from the right have mastered in recent years is avoiding controversial issues. Making the rounds while smiling and having the “R” attached to their name has proven to be more than enough to win here.

Voters often forget the lack of results that include a decreasing population and higher taxes. Most party leaders do not even attempt to follow the traits that shaped the President Ronald Reagan era when smaller government and lower taxes were the mission.

In a sense, that thinking follows the current playbook of the Republican National Committee, which is committed to attacking the other side. Consider the statement from its website: “Initially united in 1854 by the promise to abolish slavery, the Republican Party has always stood for freedom, prosperity, and opportunity. Today, as those principles come under attack from the far-left, we are engaged in a national effort to fight for our proven agenda, take our message to every American, grow the party, promote election integrity, and elect Republicans up and down the ballot. The principles of the Republican Party recognize the God-given liberties while promoting opportunity for every American.”

But a local silence on these principles is what led to the TEA Party letter to county leaders. Some of the questions posed included:

¯ Where is the party on the issue of requiring voter ID, the necessity to return to paper ballots and the importance of a general cleanup of the voter rolls?

¯ Where was the party when businesses and churches were being closed with nurses and teachers being handicapped by COVID mandates? Will party leaders take a stand the next time?

¯ Where is the party while the state institutes “economically and environmentally destructive energy policies in our region via solar and wind projects? This destruction must stop.”

While taking issue with county Republicans, the group notes “Assemblyman (Andrew) Goodell and state Sen. Geroge Borrello had the courage to speak out against constitutional violations of our rights. They have our full support.”

It is an interesting crossroads. Conservatives usually mesh with Republicans and rarely side with Democrats who they see as far too progressive.

Members of the TEA Party group are quite active and hold monthly meetings that often feature speakers, including those holding office. Last summer, their clout was enough to bring Carl Paladino to town to discuss what ultimately turned into a failed run for the 23rd Congressional District.

Its group acronym is short for Totally Engaged Americans or Taxed Enough Already. But throughout the petition, not once are fiscal concerns — on a national or local level — discussed.

That bodes well for the more than 70% of Republicans who hold elected office in this county. Efficiency is far from a priority as municipalities, especially in an era of high inflation, continue to increase taxes for the 126,000 residents who still live here.

How have they done it? Simply put, they have grown their kingdoms.

In Chautauqua County government, employment has increased from 1,079 in 2013 to 1,284 in 2023 — an increase of 205 jobs or 19%. In addition, fees keep increasing. One of the most recent, at the landfill, impacts haulers who then pass on the cost to the taxpayer.

Area elected officials also refuse to advocate for more regional solutions, a very delicate topic, that is long overdue. Instead, they follow party marching orders that come from Ed Cox, state GOP chairman.

“We’re about more jobs,” he said. “Democrats are about driving businesses big and small out of New York with far-left regulations, demands and taxes. They are about killing our natural gas industry in the Southern Tier and killing 27,000 good-paying jobs in Queens because Madame (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) doesn’t approve of Amazon.

“We’re about safe streets – that means supporting our police. The far left is about revolving door justice and letting criminals back on the streets. And we’re about good schools – which means more school choice and education savings accounts, alternative schools and charter schools, so parents can find the right schools for their children and students can get on a path to reach their God-given potential.”

Cox makes some excellent points in his comments. TEA Party members are just as accurate in their observations of those who are elected here.

John D’Agostino is the editor of The Post-Journal, OBSERVER and Times Observer in Warren, Pa. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-366-3000, ext. 253.