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Editor's note: This is part of a series of articles on the upcoming Chautauqua County Legislature races.
The decision on who will be representing Chautauqua County on the 19-member legislature will soon be decided.
The Post-Journal/OBSERVER invited all candidates who are running for the legislature to answer two questions:
1) What do you believe that Chautauqua County government has accomplished in the last two years?
2) What are your goals to improve the county?
Below are the candidates and responses received by those running for District 13 as well as a late response from a candidate running for District 9.
DISTRICT 13
District 13 includes part of the city of Jamestown. Incumbent Thomas Nelson is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines. He is being challenged by Joe Tickle, who is running on the Republican and Conservative lines.
Nelson's response to the two questions is as follows:
1) "As a Participation In Government teacher, I have my 12th-grade students go to the Chautauqua County Website and answer a few questions about our Chautauqua County Government and what it does. It's a lengthy assignment! Starting with the County Executive's office they see that he has a weekly newsletter, gives multiple addresses, prepares a multi-million dollar budget for all county operations, gives numerous reports and speeches, and is the chief executive officer for the county. Next is the county legislature which in an average month will receive 5-10 communications, will research, discuss, debate, pass/or reject 15-25 resolutions, and will likely consider two or three motions and possibly one local law. We serve on at least one of seven committees, with most serving on two committees. These committees include administrative Services, Audit and Control, Planning and Economic Development, Public Facilities, and Public Safety. Legislators may be discussing anything from planning for a total solar eclipse to maintaining county parks, waterways, or the county airport.
Next, my students learn that the county government has 13 different departments. This includes everything from our District Attorney's office which can prosecute 7,000 cases a year to the Department of Public Facilities which is responsible for 552 miles of roads and 308 bridges. Not to mention the Health and Human Services Department which does everything from immunizations to conducting health inspections of restaurants, processing applications for Medicaid and other assistance programs, testing for lead in old homes, and providing services for children with lead poisoning.
To answer this specific question is difficult, because our Chautauqua County government works hard every year to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of our residents in so many different ways. They do this through the passage of local laws, resolutions, and policies that deliver quality services through our productive, professional, and very dedicated county employees. Our county employees deserve a lot of credit for the work that they accomplish each and every day. However, our county government can improve and should do better."
2) "Our county needs economic development, a continued commitment to public safety, more opportunities for our young people, and care for our elderly. We need to address our declining population, bring back commercial air service to Jamestown, support job creation by supporting new businesses, develop shovel-ready sites in the greater Jamestown area that will attract innovative industries, and expand our industrial/commercial parks.
As a lifelong and active public servant in the city, I have worked alongside others in the community and in government to solve problems that are particular to small cities in rural areas. We are facing numerous challenges, and we need strong leadership to meet these challenges. Our residents need leaders they can trust, leaders who are willing to work together to make a better future in our city and county, and leaders who simply want to get things done. I have the experience to provide this type of leadership in the Chautauqua County Legislature.
Since I took office as a county legislator, one of my priorities has been to work with other legislators to lessen the county tax burden for our overtaxed residents. We can and must do better for the people of Chautauqua County. I am excited about the opportunity to continue serving as a county legislator, and I believe that together, we'll make our county a great place to live, work, and raise a family."
Tickle's response to the two questions is as follows:
1) "Chautauqua County government has continually lowered property taxes for county residents without reducing services."
2) "My goal as a legislator for District 13 is to work with my fellow Republicans and Democrats for the interests of all Chautauqua County residents going forward. Ideally I would like to see the continuation of the tax breaks and would like to focus on public safety, housing and creation of jobs and business opportunities within the county."
DISTRICT 9
Over the weekend, Billy Torres, who is running on the Democratic line, responded to the two questions. At that time challenger Phil Landy, who is running on the Republican and Conservative lines, declined to respond.
On Monday, after Torres' response was published, an email was received by Landy requesting the opportunity to respond.
His response to the two questions is as follows:
1) "I think Chautauqua County government has done a respectable job in the aftermath of COVID-19 in restoring and rebuilding business and infrastructure. These were particularly challenging times where our confidence was tested. This has laid the foundation for all of us to work together to build a stronger Chautauqua County."
2) "I hear so many complaints from others who feel our local government has become too complex. It is important to strive for transparency in making crucial decisions that affect the entire county population. At the end of the day, I want to be proud that I asked the right questions; I represented the people who elected me, and I made fair decisions. Like over 33,500 senior citizens living in Chautauqua County, I too am concerned about inflation and rising taxes, housing shortages, and public safety. In the last few years, many of us never expected to be where we are today. I see so many fellow retirees having a challenging time making ends meet because they are worried about paying their taxes, and the rising cost of living. My goal is to ensure that seniors have the life they worked so hard to achieve.
We are so fortunate to have Chautauqua Lake nearby. The commerce from the lake has been a proven economic driver to the region. We need to continue to invest in cleaning up the lake. If we fall short, the damage will affect our economy, local businesses, parks and resorts, and all of us who enjoy the lake as a vacation and entertainment destination.
Our municipalities' law enforcement agencies, local police and sheriff departments have been overwhelmed with the lack of personnel. Recruiting and sustaining officers is a priority, and we must find a way to support them and keep our citizens safe from harm.
The decisions we make today will affect our future. My hope is to work together to tackle issues and celebrate our success with all Chautauqua County residents."