Pictured are Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist, left, and Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel.

Both Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist and Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel are “honored” to be members of the Western New York Regional Control Room, even though they have different views about the reopening of the county.

As part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s New York Forward plan for reopening the economy following the coronavirus pandemic, a control room was created for each region to monitor the metrics needed to allow some employees to return to work.

“I think it’s an incredible thing for Jamestown to get a seat at the table to be a part of the Western New York Regional Control Room,” Sundquist said. “I’m honored to represent all of our businesses and residents to make sure we open up safely and as soon as possible.”

Wendel also believes it’s an honor and a privilege to be a member of the control room.

“We have been the command room for Chautauqua County since March 15. We know the data. We know the trends. We are monitoring them daily,” he said. “We have been working with (Erie County Executive) Mark Poloncarz in Erie County. It’s a good working group. The players are used to working together. I think it’s a good group to analyze the data to move forward.”

Wendel said he hopes to relay to the other regional control room members that Chautauqua County is in a unique position because of its proximity to Pennsylvania and Ohio, two states that have started to reopen its economy before New York.

“We can represent Chautauqua County and the unique situation we have here. I’ve talked to the Lt. Gov. (Kathy Hochul) that we face a unique economic struggle here,” he said. “Within two and half hours, people can drive their cars and be in downtown Cleveland. Within 30 to 40 minutes, you can be in Erie, Pa. Our small businesses are calling out that we need something done. My job is to relay those comments to the lieutenant governor and the control room.”

Sundquist said the regional control room members meet every day.

“As soon as I get a question from a business or resident that I don’t have an answer to, or if I get a suggestion for the region, this is the forum where I can discuss that,” he said. “It’s a very responsive group.”

Sundquist and Wendel have different opinions on Cuomo’s regional reopening plan. Sundquist agrees with the governor’s plan to open up by region while Wendel believes it should be on a county-by-county basis.

“I actually disagree with my other county colleagues and politicians,” Sundquist said. “I agree with the governor about reopening as a region because the way business moves between different counties, how people move between different counties and the hospital system between different counties. We as a region can open up safely and quickly.”

As of Friday, Western New York only met five of the seven metrics necessary to reopen. Because of the pandemics impact in Buffalo, the Western New York region has not met the metrics for a decline in hospitalization and death rates during the last 14 days.

“I don’t think we should be tied to Buffalo,” Wendel said. “If you look at our numbers we are sustainable on our own. Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties, if you compare us to counties that are allowed to open (in other regions of the state), our numbers are lower. There are several counties that are reopening that have higher number than us. The argument is that we will get an influx of people from Erie County. Right now, people can travel to Erie, Pa., or Ohio as quickly as they can come to Chautauqua County. I don’t think that is viable argument. I think it should be looked at county-by-county.”

Meanwhile, Sundquist announced Friday that Jamestown will be extending its state of emergency another 30 days starting at 9 a.m. today, when the previous state of emergency was set to expire. Sundquist said the city Municipal Building, located at 200 E. Third St., remains closed to the public, public garages will be closed and there will be no downtown parking enforcement through at least May 31. Monthly alternate parking regulations are still in effect. Playgrounds and basketball courts remain closed.