Dems criticize Edwards running
By NICHOLAS L. DEANThe 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.
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WatchDog
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05-21-10 10:12 PM
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Uberbody...Did anybody hear you and Keith Ahlstrom making these comments when County Executive Mark Thomas was running for Congress when the County was falling apart?!?!
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Uberbody
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05-21-10 9:01 PM
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Lets see, you both do not agree with Mr. Ahlstrom. Are you taxpayers of this county? I am and I am tired of government thinking they can do what they want when they want. This county has issues that Mr.Edwards has not yet taken care of. He wants to run for lieutenant governor, let him go and find someone that is going to take care of business here in this county. I wish my employer would let me take time off and pursue another career and pay me for it. Shame on you Mr.Edwards. The tax payers of the North County are watching what you are doing. You have not stepped up to the plate since the disaster on Central Ave. You say you care about the people of this community but it seems like it is just a cost saving measure instead of taking care of the people who voted for you. Please do us a favor and move on and let us find someone that cares about the taxpayer. Stop playing political games and using the public who by the way pays your salary to advance your own career.
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HaveANiceDay
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05-21-10 1:55 PM
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I'm independant and Ahlstrom is wrong on this one. How was Edwards supposed to know he was going to be picked by Lazio as a running mate. Sometimes Democrats and their big mouths are their own worst enemy. VOTE PALLADINO !!!!!!
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jo1952
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05-21-10 9:19 AM
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Although I am a democrat, I do not agree with Ahlstrom. Candidates from both parties have always run for higher office and maintained their offices. On another note, has Mr. Dean ever been told about quotation marks?
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