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Candidates for Legislature Districts 4-7 set

By Gregory Bacon 5 min read

Editor's note: This is part of a series of articles on the upcoming Chautauqua County Legislature races.

The question of who will be elected to the Chautauqua County Legislature will soon be answered.

The Post-Journal/OBSERVER invited all candidates who are running for the legislature to answer two questions:

1) What do you believe that Chautauqua County government has accomplished in the last two years?

2) What are your goals to improve the county?

Below are the candidates running and responses received for those running for Districts 4-9, as well as what boundaries the new districts include.

DISTRICT 4

County Legislative District 4 includes part of the village of Fredonia and part of the city of Dunkirk. Incumbent Susan Parker is running unopposed. She will be on the Democratic and Working Families lines.

Parker's response on the two questions is as follows:

1) "In the last two years, the most significant accomplishment in the County District 4 that I represent was facilitating and supporting the sale of the White Inn to Steve St. George, owner of St. George Enterprises, and Devin Jones, restaurant owner and developer.

When I chose to run for the legislature, one of my top goals was to work with county officials and local stakeholders to get the White Inn in the Village of Fredonia out of foreclosure and to find a developer for the property. Early on, we brought together citizens and officials to clean up the property and focus attention on the White Inn's essential place in the village's downtown business district's success. Working in partnership with the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Development, the County's Industrial Development Agency, village and state officials, local stakeholders, and the absentee creditors, the property was successfully sold to two engaged, passionate local business owners. I supported an Empire State Development Capital Grant in the county legislature that helped with the purchase and redevelopment of this historic economic keystone property in the village. The redevelopment is being closely watched and it appears sure to improve the streetscape and economic climate in our downtown."

2) "I am excited that my newly configured legislative district links and includes portions of both the city of Dunkirk and the village of Fredonia. It is a recognition of the reality that we are all together in one community. I will continue working for my constituents (new and existing) to do my best to find solutions to local problems, and advocate for local residents and businesses.

I will also continue to fight for greater transparency and legislative oversight when considering important county decisions affecting our residents. An independent legislature is absolutely critical to rational and democratic government. In my two years in this legislature, I have found that resolutions, local laws, and motions are often pre-packaged for legislative approval and followed by only muted committee inquiry before overwhelming approval by the legislature.

Only a few of us are raising questions and suggesting substantive changes or opposing harmful outcomes.

According to the County Charter, the legislature is supposed to have its own counsel, its own policy person, and its own financial analyst.

None of that is truly happening, which prevents the real independence for the legislature that is needed.

For example, the county executive proposed a 60% increase in the county bed tax that would have seriously harmed our all-important hospitality businesses and been one of the highest such taxes in the state.

The proposal was brought to committee with little notice, with inadequate factual supporting information, and without consultation with many owners of hotels, motels, Airbnb's, holiday camps, and other hospitality properties.

The county did not examine occupancy taxes elsewhere in the state or in other states or study in any detail the supposed advantages of such a huge tax increase. Together with the three other Democratic legislators, I worked to bring attention and accurate information to the issue. Only through that effort and pressure, did our majority legislative colleagues vote to reject the increase.

Also, the county executive proposed and the Republican supermajority of the county legislature approved the hiring of a $100,000 per year "Media Information Officer" for the county executive's office.

This glorified press release and video production position is 100 percent funded by county taxpayers - but inexplicably the only opposition came from myself and the other three Democratic legislators.

I and my fellow Democrats have inquired, advocated, and voted against issues we think adversely affect the individuals, businesses, and municipalities in Chautauqua County. We have worked with success for tax relief for veterans and to lower the county gas tax last year to provide relief during high inflation. We will continue to do this kind of work for the benefit of all our constituents of Chautauqua County."

DISTRICT 5

County Legislative District 5 includes the towns of Arkwright, Cherry Creek, Dunkirk, Sheridan, and Villenova, as well as part of the town of Hanover. Incumbent Terry Niebel is running unopposed. He will be on the Republican and Conservative lines.

Niebel did not respond to requests to answer the questions.

DISTRICT 6

County Legislative District 6 includes part of the town of Hanover and the village of Silver Creek. Incumbent Thomas Harmon is running unopposed. He will be on the Republican and Conservative lines.

Reached by email about answering the two questions, Harmon wrote, "I will not be responding Sir."

DISTRICT 7

County Legislative District 7 includes the towns of Stockton and Portland, including the villages of Cassadaga and Brocton, as well as part of the town of Chautauqua. Incumbent Johnathan Penhollow is running unopposed. He will be on the Republican and Conservative lines.

When asked to answer the two questions, Penhollow responded, "We have decided to go a different avenue this year, thank you."

Starting at /week.