Ecklund Settles Into New Role As Mayor Of Jamestown
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Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund said she's still settling into her new position at City Hall.
"The first week was filled with a lot of meetings, and a lot of meetings, and a lot of meetings," Ecklund joked during a City Council work session, her first since being sworn in as mayor on Jan. 1. "I've met with most department heads, or have them scheduled, so that we can go over where they're at and what's going on with everything," she continued.
Before entering the mayor's office, Ecklund served on the City Council for two decades. Now in her second week on the job, she's met with "a lot of outside agencies."
Prior to the work session, she took part in a roundtable discussion hosted by U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy regarding the dangers of fentanyl. The discussion also included County Executive PJ Wendel and Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone, as well as area hospital officials and mental health experts.
As previously reported, Jamestown has seen a large spike in fentanyl distribution and use. It also was revealed during Langworthy's roundtable that Jamestown police, on average, are using naloxone to revive overdose victims five to seven times a day.
"It was quite an interesting presentation with Congressman Langworthy regarding fentanyl," Ecklund told the City Council.
She said Langworthy is promoting legislation to "put some teeth into some of that stuff and have that conversation about drugs."
During Monday's roundtable discussion, Langworthy called the fentanyl problem a "50-state crisis" and said it demands a collaborative effort from all levels of government, law enforcement and health officials.
"This has hit every walk of life -- the wealthiest people in the community have been hit with it, the poorest people. Rural, suburban, urban -- no one is spared," he said.
Ecklund agrees.
"As you all know, we do still have a war on drugs here," she said.
During the work session, Ecklund also formally introduced the council to Ericka Thomas, the city's new comptroller, as well as Joseph Calimeri, her executive assistant, and Ashlan Davis, her administrative assistant. All three attended the meeting.
"I'm happy to be here. I think my staff is happy to be here," Ecklund added. "I don't really have anything urgent to discuss with you other than asking continually for your patience as we muddle through and learn."