Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel, left, answers a question given by the audience and read by Daniel Heitzenrater, Chautauqua County Chamber president and chief executive officer. P-J photo by Gregory Bacon

The sun shined brightly Friday morning and so was County Executive PJ Wendel’s demeanor when it came to his outlook on the future of Chautauqua County.

“The sky is the limit in looking for new opportunities, new horizons for Chautauqua County. I’m excited. I don’t see any negativity right now. We’re just going to keep pushing, we’re going to keep opening doors and looking for opportunities,” he said during the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Breakfast.

Wendel’s comments came at the end of the breakfast, when he was asked about where he sees the county five years from now. But his positive tone was reflective throughout the event.

There were times of criticism, mostly with state or federal officials about decisions being made and how they impact county government. Wendel criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul, calling her a “playground bully,” for plans to keep federal funds designated to counties for Medicaid. “She’s going to take $4 million from Chautauqua County. Why? Because she can,” he said.

Wendel also defended his decision to declare a “State of Emergency” for Chautauqua County, keeping migrants from New York City from being relocated here. “I want to contradict what was said last week that this is an anti-immigration statement — It is not. The state of emergency was enacted by myself and 38 counties across New York state, bipartisianly, to stop New York City from arbitrarily sending busloads of individuals to a county and then leaving them,” he said.

Wendel noted that there are already 35 families from Columbia who live in Chautauqua County and began relocating here in November.

Wendel said he talked to some of those who have helped the undocumented families and was told that they don’t have the resources to help others. “It takes caseworkers, it takes multiple things, it takes funding,” he said.

According to Wendel, these families came over the southern border, were detained up to two months and had their passports confiscated by the federal government and gave them photocopies as replacements. “After two months of detention, they stamped (their passports) and said ‘now you’re paroled.’ Paroled? What does that mean? And they give them a cell phone and tell them they’re free to move about the country,” he said.

Wendel continued, saying about a year ago, a migrant relocated to Chautauqua County and his family, and later members of his village, followed him, moving to Jamestown.

The migrants have continued to receive assistance from the Jamestown community. But Wendel said they can’t work and can’t apply for assistance. “They want to work. … I’ve talked to industries. ‘I can put 30 to work tomorrow’ is what one person said from a large manufacturing facility,” Wendel said.

Wendel said it’s up to the federal government to make changes to permit them to be employed.

He also expressed concerns regarding their vaccination status.

There were a number of other topics as well.

¯ COUNTY BUDGET — He called Chautauqua County a “$280 million corporation” with taxpayer dollars. He said the budget is “solid” and noted that all three years of his tenure he has proposed lowering the property tax rate. He also said the county’s fund balance has increased substantially from $400,000 when he was a county legislator, to around $34 million to $43 million today.

¯ POPULATION — Wendel agreed that population has continued to drop and said they’re trying to address it. He does not believe the departure is the fault of local leaders. “Have people left Chautauqua County because of Chautauqua County government, Chautauqua County taxes and Chautauqua County policies? It’s a much bigger picture. We need to be more business friendly in the state of New York,” he said.

¯ DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH — Wendel said COVID showed county leaders that health needs to be separated from human services, as the two were under one department before. He said the department wants to focus on “fundamental health actions.”

¯ EXPANDING BROADBAND — Wendel said COVID showed the need for reliable high speed internet. He said the legislature has already set aside some money from the American Rescue Plan Act funds for a study which is being done by Erie Community College to see what are the biggest needs in the county. He said he isn’t looking to bring in outside providers, noting that DFT Communications and Windstream are invested in the county.

¯ JAMESTOWN AIRPORT — Wendel said a market analysis is underway for the possibility of commercial air service. If the analysis shows that commercial air service won’t work in the county, then they will pivot to focus on general aviation. He notes that industries like Cummins and others rely on the airports and it also has a lot of private jets that use it as well.