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For residents of Jamestown's north side, this election season's choice between Bryan Bigelow and Jason Sample presents a difficult decision.
Bigelow follows more closely in the path set by longtime ward councilman Tony Dolce. Bigelow has found himself to be deliberative on issues that have come before the council during his short time in office. On matters like abolishing the Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission, Bigelow has taken information from those who oppose changing the charter to remove the commission and those who favor keeping it, reached out to majority Democrat council members to gauge their opinion and those who have been involved in city politics for decades for their thoughts on the commission's effectiveness. Where Bigelow comes down on the issue will be revealed when he votes on it – but we know Bigelow is weighing a wide range of facts.
Sample, on the other hand, is much more public with his thoughts. The candidate's Facebook page has been filled with long, detailed posts regarding the Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission, a guest essay submitted to The Post-Journal, thoughts on improving the city budget process, making the public more aware of code complaints on file for problem properties throughout the city. The posts leave no doubt that Sample is more than happy to share his thoughts on any and all issues that come across city government's radar, and a willingness to admit when he gets a fact wrong. It's an admirable trait in someone who wants to be part of a government body.
Bigelow comes from the private sector and a history of community involvement. We are impressed with his tech background and private sector experience administering a budget that is larger than the city of Jamestown's. Sample comes with a media and government background and, like Bigelow, a history of community involvement.
In the end, Ward 2 residents will be well served by either of these candidates. They have two very different styles of governing, and both can be equally effective. To be frank, we wish both candidates could be on the council starting Jan. 1. We'd encourage the candidate who loses on Nov. 3 to run for an at-large position on the council in 2027.
With that said, we endorse Bigelow's deliberative approach to governing, as it's more in line with what we're used to from the Ward 2 council member over the past 30 years. Don't let the deliberative and quiet approach fool you, Dolce had strongly held convictions about city issues. He played his cards close to his vest and worked behind the scenes in ways most ward residents never heard about to influence city policy and projects that took place in the city.
We think Bigelow follows that style of governing.