Submitted photo Earlier this week, more early voting had been taking place in the north county location at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds, elections officials noted.

Is fatigue a factor for voters when it comes to this year’s local elections? That could be a distinct possibility.

Following a 2020 national vote that seemed to go on for another two months due to questions over mail-in ballots and controversy over the presidential race results, it does not seem as though enough time has gone by to again be casting a ballot. Incumbent County Executive PJ Wendel is likely thinking the same thing. For the third straight season, which is almost unprecedented, he has had to run a campaign.

Here’s a look back at some moments and happenings that have made an impression in recent weeks:

¯ TAKING A HIKE –David Salley, who is running for Chautauqua County clerk, is putting in a lot of leg work while taking on incumbent Larry Barmore. In a fall Facebook post, Salley touted his recent ventures in nature while “Running for Office, Hiking for Health” on Oct. 3. “I did five hikes in the Western New York Hiking Challenge in the last two weeks!” he exclaimed. One of the five photos included was Salley on the Earl Cardot trail.

¯ WHAT “MATTERS” — Christina Cardinale, at-large candidate for Jamestown City Council, is known for speaking her mind. In this campaign, one of her major issues comes from the heart in introducing a harm reduction mobile health unit. Citing the service that is being offered in Dunkirk, she sees a need for something similar in the south county. “The mobile unit provides onsite mental health and drug counseling. The staff specializes in trauma or crisis assistance,” she said. “Anyone struggling may approach this mobile unit for immediate help and resources. “

Cardinale also said the topic was very personal in a news release. “I don’t talk about this often. My cousin was Bobby Pollino. He was a wonderful coach and educator for Jamestown. Bobby lost his battle when he was 25,” she said. “I want to provide a resource for anyone who may be struggling with mental health or a substance use disorder. I want them to feel like they live in a city that cares about them. I know I can’t take away the pain of our past, I wish I could. If I can prevent future tragedy or suffering, that matters to me.”

¯ WHERE CREDIT IS DUE — Challenger Norm Green praised recent hirings by Wendel, specifically that of Carmelo Hernandez as the new director of Community Mental Hygiene Services for the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene. “I think you did a magnificent hire. … Kudos to you. Great,” Green said during the debate at The Post-Journal. Wendel, however, did not reciprocate.

¯ SIGNS OF THE TIMES — Will the county executive challenger’s placards work with many who are not totally tuned in to this vote? We get the “Norm!” with the green background, but will it work and resonate with those not closely following the races but still going to the polls? On another note, there has been at least one sighting in Westfield of one poster calling for voters to “write in” Joseph Gerace, the former sheriff, for executive. Momentum for that cause, however, appears to be very little. Then we have the reports of signs being stolen — across the county for a number of races.

One candidate sent this tongue-in-cheek note to voice their frustration. “The ParkerPeople campaign estimates that they have lost a third or more of their ‘We’re Parker! People’ signs,” notes the campaign of Susan Parker for District 4 county legislator.

“We figure that the folks running off with our signs are named Parker or know someone named Parker or work as valets,” said one campaign official. “They must be going to a good use in houses, garages, and rec rooms because we haven’t gotten any ransom notes.”

¯ DON’T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME — Marcia Merrins, moderator for the Chautauqua County League of Women Voters debates, had her hands full during an Oct. 20 event that took place on Zoom between the candidates who are seeking four Fredonia trustee seats. Besides asking the questions, Merrins had to keep tabs on all eight candidates to make sure they had time to respond. While doing an excellent job, there were at least three occasions one candidate had to wave their arms or interrupt to make sure they were not missed on a certain question.

As staff writer M.J. Stafford noted in one of the recent articles regarding that debate, the Zoom event — featuring nine faces — very much resembled the opening of the 1970s classic “The Brady Bunch.”

John D’Agostino is the editor of the OBSERVER, The Post-Journal and Times Observer in Warren, Pa. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 366-3000, ext. 253.