OBSERVER file photo Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel will be giving his State of the County speech on Wednesday.

Hitched to the Republican wave of dominance seen across the Southern Tier in recent years, PJ Wendel has been nearly invincible while running — and serving — as Chautauqua County executive. Promoted from county legislator to the position vacated by current state Sen. George Borrello in 2020 by the Legislature, Wendel served two one-year terms before winning his third election to the office in as many years.

Finally off the campaign trail, the current county chief has the ability to build on some recent momentum seen here on the home front by setting an aggressive agenda that focuses on the area’s strengths but does not ignore the weaknesses. “My State of the County address will highlight our successes and opportunities for growth,” Wendel said in a news release announcing his upcoming speech for Wednesday. “I am excited to share what we have done this past year and our goals for 2022.”

To be fair, much of Wendel’s work has been driven by COVID-19. Since March 2020, he has been on the front lines in making decisions, sharing information and working with some tough standards set by New York state.

Through these 24 months of the pandemic, he has always been accessible while tirelessly participating in important meetings.

In his address last year, Wendel highlighted a number of new businesses and developments, including Love’s Travel Stop and Country Stores Inc. that opened this week. It is seen as the first step to bringing development to the Interstate 90 exit in Ripley.

Though those items are worth celebration, elected county officials have done an excellent job of ignoring significant issues that have plagued our region for decades. One of those topics that hardly ever receives mention is the major population declines since 1980. That theme has taken on even greater significance due to the growing number of positions going unfilled in area businesses and manufacturers. No matter how much Wells continues to invest in Dunkirk and Chautauqua County for its ice cream business, a continued lack of workers is bound to slow production.

Other items that need to be prioritized include:

¯ Additional regional efforts. Well before the pandemic, current state Sen. George Borrello took on an ambitious plan in 2017 that included a proposed shared services agreement between the city of Jamestown police department and the county sheriff’s office, the unification of police operations between the towns of Busti and Ellicott, along with consolidation of services among several rural towns in the county. This year’s efforts, while appreciated, are nowhere near as aggressive as savings from the proposal are expected to total only $500,000. With a county budget that spends more than $260 million, that amount is far too little.

¯ Renewable energy. How much wind and solar is too much? While the county Industrial Development Agency continues to approve tax incentives for numerous projects — mainly those in the north county region, there are concerns percolating about the loss of prime agricultural property as well as scenic landscapes. Is a hands off approach still what is best?

¯ The future of higher education. By all accounts, both the State University of New York at Fredonia and Jamestown Community College are facing major fiscal struggles. Can Chautauqua County do anything more to boost these important economic engines?

¯ A vision for the next 10 years. Where do we want to be in 2030? Before 2010, the county had created a road map for where it wanted to be in 2020. It wasn’t perfect, but it at least provided some sort of direction. Right now, other than some initiatives by the IDA and the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, little input is coming out of monthly committee or Legislature meetings.

Borrello, in just two years, set a high bar in setting a direction. During his term, the rebuilding of the IDA began and new focus on workforce issues were brought to light. His predecessor, Vince Horrigan, was a key voice in making the North County Water District happen while also pushing for the sale of the Chautauqua County Home.

Wendel’s legacy can be so much more than just being in charge when the worst global pandemic happened in 100 years. He’s still seven weeks into his recently secured four-year term.

His simply stated campaign mantra over the last two years has been all about “strong leadership.” Here’s Wendel’s chance to make good on that promise.

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 716-366-3000, ext. 253.