Ned Barone has been reappointed as the county public defender for 2026. He said that he is not retiring and desires to continue in his position after this year.

Chautauqua County is bringing back its longtime public defender, but rejected a move to make the appointment longer than one year, apparently because of changes in election law.

During the Chautauqua County Legislature’s organizational meeting, the legislature voted on a resolution to make Nathan Barone II of Jamestown the public defender for one year at an annual base salary of $100,436, with an additional salary and benefits supplement totaling $89,973 to the extent of available grant funds.

Barone has served as chief public defender since 2012.

Before the vote, Legislator John Penhollow, R-Stockton proposed making the appointment for two years.

That move was rejected, with only four legislators voting yes – Penhollow; Fred Larson, D-Jamestown; and Tom Nelson, D-Jamestown; and Bob Whitney, D-Jamestown. There were 13 legislators who voted no and two were absent.

Once the move to make the appointment two years failed, the legislature unanimously approved the resolution to appoint Barone as public defender for one year.

After the meeting, Barone was contacted about the vote.

He said he wants to be working as the county’s public defender for at least the next two years, and had requested the appointment extension be for two years.

Barone said he was informed by some county legislators that they didn’t want to make his appointment for two years because all county legislators are up for re-election this year.

Normally legislators are elected on a two-year term but the state changed the election cycle for certain offices, moving them from odd year to even years, when there’s a presidential or gubernatorial race.

“Most of the legislators, or at least some of them, really felt as though my reappointment should coordinate with the elections,” he said.

Barone added that, despite rumors, he has no immediate plans to retire.

“There was someone that was spreading lies around saying I was retiring at the end of the year and that I didn’t want to continue. … Some of the legislators didn’t think I wanted to come back,” he said.

Barone didn’t say who made the accusation, only saying it was “an attorney in Mayville” and the individual had been saying that to a lot of people.

In other business:

– The legislature reappointed Pierre Chagnon, R-Ellery, as its chairman. He’s been the chairman since 2020.

– Jamie Gustafson, R-Lakewood, was reappointed as the majority leader, a position she was appointed to last year. Lisa Vanstrom, R-West Ellicott was reappointed as the assistant majority leader.

– Bob Bankoski, D-Dunkirk was reappointed as the minority leader. He has held this position since 2016. Nelson was reappointed as the assistant minority leader;

– Olivia Lee of Stockton was reappointed as clerk of the legislature.

– Kristi Zink of Cassadaga was reappointed as secretary/deputy clerk of the legislature.

– The Post-Journal and OBSERVER were named the official newspapers of the legislature, for the publication of all local laws, notices, and other matters required by law to be published.