Republican candidates are ready for the political season
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The Town of Pomfret Republican Committee had a rally at its newly opened headquarters on Oct. 15. Located on Water Street in Fredonia, they rallied their troops and charged their base for the upcoming election. In attendance were County Executive Greg Edwards, District Attorney David Foley and State Senator Catherine Young to show their support.
"These elections are about footwork," said Young. "Door to Door and meeting people are what wins elections. Talking to the community is key."
The candidates in Pomfret will be running for Town Clerk, Town Council, Town Highway Superintendent and three seats in the Chautauqua County Legislature.
Town Clerk candidate Tricia M. DeJoe is running to reorganize and streamline the clerk's office.
"If elected to this position I will bring back a full-service office by implementing tax collections and water billing collections, which would eliminate stipends," DeJoe said. "These services have traditionally been conducted by the town clerk but were phased out by the current clerk and are now being done through additional personnel at added costs to the taxpayer."
Eliminating these stipends would provide thousands of dollars of savings to the town's spending. DeJoe continued, "The town clerk is the front line of town government. I will do my best to create a comfortable office atmosphere and will readjust office hours to meet the needs of those who work nine to five."
Pat Christina and Charles Civiletto are running for the two Town Council seats. Both candidates are vying to keep their seats.
"I am looking forward to our future," said Christina. "On the town board we are accomplishing our comprehensive plan, extending the potential for water delivery to our residents and always looking to expand our tax base. Even in these challenging economic times, I see a bright future for the town of Pomfret."
"There is still a lot to accomplish on the board," Civiletto added. "When I first came to the board, the town's infrastructure was a key component of my plan. It remains to be true today and I feel that we are moving in the right direction with our plans today. I feel the next four years will produce some great accomplishments and real results for our town residents."
Both Civiletto and Christina are running unopposed.
Running for Highway Superintendent is James Oakes, Jr. Oakes has been the town of Pomfret Highway Superintendent since 1981, a total of 28 years of service. Oakes has served as the president of Chautauqua County Town and Village Highway Superintendents Association as well as president of the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways Association.
"I will continue to use my years of experience to keep our roads clear and safe for our citizens. This has always been my top priority", Oakes said. "I also will remain active in helping the town board and other department heads with my 36 years of experience in town government. I especially look forward to continuing my involvement with the formation of Pomfret's North End Water District."
Robert "Bob" Scudder, owner and operator of Fredonia Hardware, is running for the 24th Chautauqua County Legislature seat.
"The people of District 24 need better representation in Mayville, and that's what I plan to do. I'm accessible and willing to serve. I believe in cost efficient government." he said. "I will work toward lowering taxes, maintaining county services, and reducing the size of government."
Jacqueline Penfold Williams of Fredonia will be running for the 25th seat on the Chautauqua County Legislature. Penfold Williams currently has a seat on the Fredonia Village Board of Trustees.
"I have worked for the past three years representing the residents of the village of Fredonia and working with the Town of Pomfret to meet the necessities of this community," she said. "In the Chautauqua County Legislature, I will use this same energy to accomplish much needed progress on the many issues facing our county as a whole."
John Runkle, appointed to the Chautauqua County Legislature in January after former Legislator Brian Abram stepped down to become the Republican Board of Elections Commissioner, is seeking to remain in the Stockton and Pomfret seat. Runkle, a former town board member and town supervisor of Stockton, is no stranger to county government having recently retired from the sheriff's department as the Director of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force after 28 years of service .
"During my relatively short time in the legislature, I believe that I have accomplished quite a lot," stated Runkle. "We eliminated health insurance for legislators and worked very hard to reduce property taxes even during these economically unstable times. Reducing property taxes and public safety issues are going to remain my top priorities."
"This year is a very busy year for the committee," concluded Dahn Bull, committee chairman. "I am very pleased with the candidates we have this year, and I cannot think of a group more dedicated to public service. Our committee is committed to finding candidates that are dedicated to moving Pomfret and Chautauqua County forward while working to maintain our 'home town' qualities of this community that attracts so many to our town and village. I can't think of a better group of people to bring us the necessary progress and change this region needs now."
Bull resides in the village of Fredonia and has served as Town Republican Chairman since April of this year.
