Incumbent Mayor Eddie Sundquist debated Kim Ecklund, councilwoman at-large, in the contest for Jamestown’s top office Oct. 12.

Ready or not, early voting begins on Saturday across Chautauqua County. Those who are registered can cast their ballot at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds in Dunkirk, the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown, the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood and the Board of Elections office in Mayville.

Election Day is officially Nov. 7. Judging by previous numbers, that day traditionally remains the busiest for voters and Board of Elections officials.

In recent weeks, the contested campaigns have begun to heat up. Some of the most significant races involve the mayors and council positions for the cities of Jamestown and Dunkirk. There also are contested races in the town of Ellicott and village of Fredonia as well as 11 of the 19 seats for Chautauqua County legislator.

Based on the debates, meetings and the signs that litter certain neighborhoods, here are some thoughts and observations as we reach the last 11 days of the campaigns.

• HELLO, I MUST BE GOING – At a Dunkirk mayoral debate in late September, some Republican incumbents and challengers for Common Council were in the audience to watch as party colleague Dave Damico squared off against Democrat Kate Wdowiasz. Once that debate ended, those candidates left their seats and did not return. A council debate followed that showcased only Democrats. Those absences were a disservice – and a slap in the face – to city residents.

• I’M NEW TO POLITICS, SORT OF – Kevin Karr stood before Jamestown City Council on Oct. 16 to point out the drug and homelessness crisis that he has witnessed in his neighborhood. Toward the end of his comments, Karr said he was just beginning to become interested in politics and wanted a more proactive stance from the legislative branch. It seemed innocent enough until he was found on Facebook. His profile includes pictures of yard signs while noting he is a campaign organizer for incumbent Mayor Eddie Sundquist.

By not being completely honest at a civic meeting, it seems as though Karr has quickly learned the ways of politics and government.

• DRINKING IT IN — No one would be surprised to hear what five of six candidates running for Fredonia Village Board thought was the most pressing issue facing residents: water. The embarrassing issue that includes numerous boil orders over the last decade has been rightly on the radar of the county Health Department, which pushed for the board to make important decisions on the system’s future. Only one candidate, James Lynden, spoke of a different issue. He said consolidation studies that have been forced down the village’s throat were the problem.

For the record, in the last eight years – other than water district reports, no consolidation study has been paid for by the village. Just like its failing water system, Lynden’s fabled diatribe was in bad taste.

• DRAWING ON BROWN’S VICTORY IN BUFFALO – At least three area candidates are vying to win election as write-in candidates. Ellicott Town Board member Pat Tyler is seeking re-election in Ward One, former Fredonia Mayor Athanasia Landis began a campaign in late September to return to the office she held from 2016 to 2019 and Zachary Dean is seeking to be a justice in the town of Dunkirk.

Some of their hope is based on the 2021 mayoral election in Buffalo when incumbent Democrat Byron Brown, who was not on the ballot due to overconfidence, defeated India Walton as a write-in candidate.

That effort was nearly unprecedented – winning the support of Republicans, community groups and businesses – due to Walton’s overly progressive views.

None of these candidates, including the two who are of higher profile, have that type of backing.

• REWARDING THE SPENDERS – Twelve incumbent Chautauqua County legislators this week approved a $294 million spending plan that ups landfill fees, spending and the tax levy. Unbelievably, these same elected officials were endorsed by the county Conservative Party. According to the Conservative Party USA platform, its mission includes adopting fiscally responsible monetary policies while promoting economic prosperity. Higher taxes and fees do not accomplish this. Sounds like it is again time to pin the blame Albany, even though we can’t get control of our own house.

• IT’S NOT OUR PROBLEM, BUT IT IS – During the Fredonia trustee debate, a question was posed regarding how the village could do some sort of incentive to lower the tax burden on business. Though the question was correctly answered by the six candidates that the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency is the conduit for this type of action, they acted as though there was nothing else they could do.

That is sorely incorrect – and speaks to how over-reliant this region has become on government.

Not one candidate spoke on the easy and obvious answer: reducing spending. Through that model, a government entity can reduce a tax or fee burden.

Unfortunately, elected officials and school board members – as the county population keeps decreasing – continue to pass on higher costs to taxpayers. No one who is currently campaigning wants to address that important issue.

John D’Agostino is the editor of The Post-Journal, OBSERVER and Times Observer in Warren, Pa. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-487-1111, ext. 253.