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Ten candidates in total took to the 1891 Fredonia Opera House stage throughout Thursday evening's League of Woman Voters Meet the Candidates forum.

Debates began with Pomfret town clerk candidate Tricia DeJoe (R, I) and incumbent Roberta Valentine (D, C, WF), and concluded with the final debate between Chautauqua County Executive candidate Chuck Cornell (D, I, WP) and incumbent Greg Edwards (R, C).

The substantial portion sandwiched between the two was the highlight of races for Chautauqua County Legislature districts 6, 24 and 25. Candidates included John Gullo, II (D, I, C) and Jacqueline Penfold-Williams (R) for County Legislator District 25; incumbent David Kleparek (D) and Bob Scudder (R, I, C) for County Legislator District 24; and incumbent John Runkle (R, C, WF) and Rebecca White (D, I) for County Legislator District 6.

Questions asked by either the television viewing office or those in attendance highlighted a few issues that sparked some friendly debate and discussion with one asking candidates for their stance on BED tax monies.

"The policy in place right now has to be looked at and changed. I see individuals trying to go back to their district with some cash as a self promotion," Scudder said.

"I think it's time to take this money and pool it together and do what is best for the county as a whole. It's tourism money and it's supposed to be spent on tourism. I'd like to see something like an information center at the Ripley exit. There is no toll; people could come off and they would know they're going through Chautauqua County. When you drive down the Thruway now you have no idea where you are. After you leave Pennsylvania next thing you're in Buffalo, an All American City. We have to let people know that Chautauqua County is here."

Runkle, who was appointed to the position of County Legislator District 6 in January, said the process quite frankly is a flying circus and that the legislature should be left out of the decision-making process and left to the advisory committee.

"It's become a political football," he said.

Recently, District 24 County Legislator Dave Kleparek proposed legislation to distribute BED tax monies in a fair and equitable manner.

"It was rejected," he said. "And by members of my own party, because they are benefiting in other parts of the county other than the north end."

Simply stated, Penfold-Williams said she did not believe in the BED tax.

"I think this is how we unfairly tax business," she said. "Why are we taxing this one particular business? I just don't understand that. It is one of those things we need to stop doing, just taxing one particular business."

Candidate White agreed the topic was difficult to agree upon but that obvious change is needed while candidate Gullo seemed to support Kleparek's proposal of geographic equality in the distribution but added money should not be limited to certain portions of the county and that it could go to all parts.

A submitted question the candidates also tackled, and one they all agreed upon, was submitted by people from the Chautauqua County Home who asked whether candidates opposed county contributions to keep the home in operation. All six candidates commented that they support the county home for one reason or another. Many pointed to the fact that the facility houses 250-plus workers and that it is vital to the area.

"I've had two family members there in my lifetime, and we all know the value of what we have there to our community," Gullo said. "That value goes beyond money; it goes into the service provided to us and what we can count on for the rest of our lives, we've all made a commitment to be here and in a strange way the county home is part of that commitment. We have, as a county, made an investment in that facility and I believe this part of the county needs to recognize the investment and sometimes you need to invest a bit more."

Each candidate was also asked to give opening and closing statements. Some used the opportunity to state their merits and qualifications, or to discuss their goals and objectives as legislators should they be elected. Penfold-Williams said she was an enthusiastic candidate for District 25 and pointed out her record of attendance and participation to mandatory and non-mandatory meetings as a village of Fredonia trustee. Gullo stated he was running simply on a platform of government reform for one in need of significant changes and efficiency. Kleparek said he tells his constituents he would take away his own job if reelected and is looking to downsize government right now. Scudder pointed out his 23 years of experience as a private sector business owner in the village of Fredonia and explained service is his competitive advantage and that would be no different as legislator. White, also a small business owner, pointed out her educational background and her close loss in 2007 for the same race to a six-term incumbent. Lastly, Runkle explained his history as a leader, whether during his 15 years on the Stockton town board or 20 plus years operating the Regional Drug Task Force for Chautauqua County.

If required to, by now County Executive candidates Cornell and Edwards could draw portraits of one another with their eyes closed, and probably know exactly what one will say before the other says it. Each debated issues of job loss protection, nurturing relationships with SUNY Fredonia, green energy, regional water, and were even asked what magazines they subscribe to Outdoor Life and American Hunter for Edwards, and Outside and This Old House for Cornell. They also gave their last public statements prior to the election on Nov. 3.

"After going out and meeting with people who used to work at Acu-Rite, or Truck Lite, or SYSCO and continuing to see year after year our population and school enrollment decline while our administration says we have record economic success and tremendous job growth," Cornell said. "I just passionately disagree with that and I have yet to find anyone who does agree with it. We're running in the wrong direction and the first step is to recognize that, the second is to have a strategy to deal with it."

"Twenty county budgets have been submitted in New York state so far and there is only one county in all of New York that reduced the property tax levy, reduced the total property tax rate and also maintained all of the central services," Edwards concluded. "Every one of the other 20 increased taxes and sometimes cut services. I think the dollars and cents do not lie. We've provided a very conservative fiscal approach to county government ... and for my opponent to mention TitanX isn't a good example of growth, they just invested $4 million in equipment in their plant securing jobs for many years. I work hard every day; the results are in. We're more streamlined and it's been my pleasure doing that and I ask for your support Nov. 3."

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