OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon Surrogate Court Judge Stephen Cass gives the oath of office to members of the Chautauqua County Legislature.

MAYVILLE – There are now five new members of the Chautauqua County Legislature.

On Tuesday, the 19-member legislature took their oaths of office, with their slightly modified districts, which went into effect this year. Among the members are newly elected legislators Marcus Buchanan, D-Dunkirk; Phil Landy, R-Jamestown; Fred Larson, D-Jamestown; Dalton Anthony, R-Frewsburg; and Fred Johnson, R-Westfield.

The Republicans will continue to hold a super-majority, with 14 legislators, to five Democratic legislators. In 2023, the Republicans had a slightly larger majority, holding 15 of the 19 seats.

Legislator Pierre Chagnon, R-Ellery, was re-elected as chairman, a position he’s held since Jan. 1, 2020.

There is some new makeup among the legislature’s leadership. David Wilfong of Jamestown was elected the majority leader, replacing Tom Harmon of Silver Creek. Lisa Vanstrom will return as assistant majority leader.

On the Democratic side, there were no changes. Bob Bankoski of Dunkirk was reappointed as the minority leader and Susan Parker of Fredonia was reappointed as the assistant minority leader.

Chagnon thanked everyone for voting for him as chairman. “In this role, I will continue to adhere to high moral standards, and do my very best to demonstrate servant leadership,” he said.

Chagnon quoted the Bible in the Gospel of Luke, stating, “To everyone whom much has been given, much will be required, and to the one whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.”

Chagnon welcomed the new county lawmakers, including Larson, who has twice served as a legislator. He also welcomed Wilfong to the leadership team as well as two new committee members – Harmon who will be the chairman of the Planning and Economic Development, and Legislator Travis Heiser of Clymer, who will be the chairman of the Public Facilities Committee.

Chagnon concluded, saying it is his goal to “carry on good governance in a constructive bipartisan manner.”

In other business, Olivia Lee was reappointed as the legislature clerk, Kristi Zink was reappointed as the secretary/deputy clerk of the legislature, Nathaniel Barone was reappointed as the county’s Public Defender, and The Post-Journal and OBSERVER were named as the official newspapers of Chautauqua County.