McCague, who currently serves as the village’s deputy mayor, has been endorsed by the Democratic Party while Holcomb has been endorsed by the Republican and Independence parties.

Both candidates serve on the Village Board of Trustees and are touting their experience as reasons for local residents to vote for them.

McCague and Holcomb were asked questions by The Post-Journal ahead of the election regarding the goals of the village.

STATE OF THE LAKE

Ted McCague

Both candidates provided their take on the current state of Chautauqua Lake and what the village’s role can be moving forward. Both called attention to supporting the county’s Memorandum of Agreement as well as supporting local agencies as the fight against harmful algal blooms and invasive weeds continues.

McCague: “The condition of the lake and the quality of its waters is an issue of critical importance to the environmental and economic strength not only of Lakewood but also of our entire region,” he said. “As a community that has miles of lakefront, I believe that Lakewood should work, in compliance with the terms of the MOA, and in collaboration with the Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance and the in-lake service providers, and partner with all of the local governments surrounding the lake to apply a coordinated data-driven approach to ensure the health and quality of our lake.”

Holcomb: “As a lakeside community, the quality, health and usability of Chautauqua Lake is a primary concern to Lakewood’s residents and visitors. The lake is a driving force and economic asset not only to our to our village, but also to the town of Busti and the entire county as well,” he said. “Protecting the lake from invasive weeds, algal blooms and other lake management concerns is complicated and requires a multifaceted, scientific approach.”

LAKEWOOD DEVELOPMENT

Both candidates, while acknowledging the recent departures of large and small businesses in the area, maintained that Lakewood is still a destination for new employers.

McCague: “On the front end, the village is now, and always has been, accommodating to prospective businesses considering locating in our community,” he said. “I recognize the economic significance of a thriving business environment to jobs, our village’s tax base and smart growth. Retail market consultants suggest that Lakewood is good place to locate a business because of its geographic location, market size, access and supportive county and local governments.”

Holcomb: “Lakewood and many communities across the country are facing similar challenges. Large-store closings have impacted the Chautauqua Mall and shopping in our area,” he said. “This is a huge challenge for the village of Lakewood, but at the same time, it is also an opportunity. Our village has so much to offer and it is our job to get that information out there. Additionally, Lakewood is very attractive to potential businesses and new construction and our very proactive police department, as well as our professional and rapid responding fire department.”

FUTURE PROJECTS

Each candidate was asked about potential projects they would like to pursue if elected by Lakewood residents.

Holcomb’s first idea would be to address ongoing watershed issues within the village.

“One of the most pressing projects I would like Lakewood to pursue would be attack watershed problems in the areas that experience flooding during heavy rains at the western portion of the village and from Shadyside Avenue east past Mall Boulevard on the east side of the village,” he said.

Another area that Holcomb identified is addressing deteriorating sidewalks within the village. He said village officials could pursue grants to fix the walkways in the future.

“As I have traveled the village streets, house to house, talking with residents these past two months, the biggest request I have heard is for more sidewalks in the village of Lakewood,” Holcomb said. “Residents are so pleased with the extraordinary work our highway department has done on repairing and constructing new sidewalks, it only begs for more throughout the village.”

McCague said two potential projects he would like to pursue if elected would be addressing challenges the village’s police, fire and EMS providers are facing.

“These challenges are complicated and will require clear and sometimes creative approaches to finding solutions,” McCague said. “I would endeavor to form a new collaborative relationship with each of our essential service departments and endeavor to work together to forge ways to meet their challenges. Helping to get these departments where they think they need to be to meet the challenges of the future is a priority project for me.”

Another project McCague would like to pursue is reassessing how the village’s government operates. He said he intends at looking at ways to lower local costs and help residents with their tax burden.

“As budget officer last year, I was able to lower taxes because a few efficiencies were already put into place,” McCague said. “I believe that the combined total of whatever efficiencies we can find will help sustain Lakewood and ease our residents tax burden.”