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MAYVILLE – With the upcoming election approaching, Mayville resident Bill Ward is running for Mayville mayor as a write-in candidate.
Ward acknowledges that launching a write-in campaign this late in the election season presents a significant challenge. Nevertheless, he believes the people of Mayville deserve a choice and that important questions about the village's management and future should not go unaddressed.
"I understand that it's late in the game and that write-in candidates face long odds," Ward said. "But I felt it was important to give the people of Mayville a choice. An election should be about more than choosing between two names. It should be an opportunity to discuss the direction of our village, how it is being managed, and what we want Mayville to become."
Ward said village government should be focused on effective administration, responsible stewardship of public resources, and creating an environment in which local businesses can survive and thrive. He also believes department heads and employees should be given the appropriate authority to do their jobs effectively, with accountability and oversight that serve the public interest rather than interfere with day-to-day operations.
"Mayville deserves a village government that plans carefully, manages projects competently, supports its local businesses, and works toward a clear set of goals," Ward said. "We need to look honestly at what has gone wrong, learn from those experiences, and develop a practical vision for the future. Our residents deserve transparency, sound management, and a government that listens."
Ward is a longtime musician and educator as well as a current Mayville Village Board member who previously served as a Chautauqua County legislator. Ward is also president of Chautauqua Rails to Trails, vice chair of Everwild Land Trust, and a member of the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau board.