The decision by Greg Edwards to continue to serve as county executive while running for lieutenant governor is not fair to local voters, County Legislator Keith Ahlstrom said Thursday.
Asked for comment about the news that Rick Lazio has selected Edwards as his running mate, the Dunkirk Democrat posed a question.
How can you be running for a statewide office and be doing all of the campaigning that goes with that and also deal with what he has identified as an $18 million hole in the county budget?
Lazio announced Thursday from Manhattan that he had selected Edwards as his choice for lieutenant governor. News broke Wednesday that the Republican candidate for governor had selected Chautauqua Countys top elected official to run with him. The Associated Press attributed the information to a person close to Lazio, who spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity.
Edwards said Wednesday that he will not be resigning his position as county executive.
I will continue to work as I did all afternoon this afternoon on issues specifically dealing with Chautauqua County, Edwards said Wednesday. I will continue to do that throughout the campaign, spending a good share of my time doing exactly what Ive always done right here in Chautauqua County.
Edwards said very little will change as a result of his decision to run for statewide office, other than the fact that he will likely be spending more time out of Chautauqua County.
I dont think its fair to the voters who just re-elected him, Ahlstrom said. Hes only five months into a new term and five months in hes already looking for a new job. I dont think thats fair to the voters of Chautauqua County.
With technology, Edwards said Wednesday he will never not be connected to Chautauqua County.
That is not the same as being in your office in Mayville, hands-on, talking to people and dealing with people, Ahlstrom said. Thats what he was elected to do. I guess he might feel differently if he was in the last year of his term, but hes in the first five months of a four-year term. I dont think its right to be looking for another position. And I think thats just compounded by the financial situation that we face in the county.
Looking to the positive, Minority Party Leader Rudy Mueller, D-Lakewood, said its quite an honor for Edwards to have been chosen to run for statewide office.
Im sure he would do a fine job as lieutenant governor, Mueller said. Hopefully hell help take the states unfunded mandates off the backs of the local taxpayers.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT
In his comments Thursday, Lazio said Edwards will be an outstanding partner, especially when it comes to growing the upstate economy.
He is exactly who I need to help fight the politics of the past and put the interests of the people ahead of the special interests, Lazio said. As county executive hes had an exemplary record. He has worked hard to consolidate and reduce government agencies, and hes cut property taxes every year hes been in office, despite the mandates coming down from Albany.
With the importance of the role of lieutenant governor highlighted in recent years, Lazio said New Yorkers have someone they can trust with Greg Edwards.
I look forward to working with him to bring sweeping fundamental change to New York, Lazio said.
Honored to have the opportunity to run with Lazio, Edwards said Thursday that Lazio is the only candidate with a vision to build a better New York.
Rick Lazio is exactly the type of person New York needs to bring fundamental change to Albany, Edwards said. He will cut property taxes, reduce burdensome mandates, and end wasteful spending. He understands the critical issues facing upstate New York, especially the problems the upstate economy faces. I will do everything I can to make sure hes elected and I am ready to get to work for all of the people of New York.