Dr. Athanasia Landis, in 23 years of living in Fredonia, is an unknown quantity in politics. As a mother of five – and out of work by choice – she has quietly watched as a once proud downtown and community has regressed.

Landis can no longer remain silent. “I have a picture in my mind: Fredonia as it was when we first drove up Main Street and down Central Avenue,” she said in accepting the Democratic nomination for mayor. “Although that is still a beautiful image, I don’t want or plan to go back, mainly because I don’t believe that going back is ever right or even possible. Rather, I would like to plan for a new future.”

Her opponent, Michael Sullivan, is just the opposite. He has been a fixture in recent elections, serving in the past as a village trustee, mayor from 2008 to 2012 and has run unsuccessful campaigns for county legislator and last year for county Family Court judge.

We agree with just about everything Sullivan touts. Government being too large. Taxes and fees as too high. Even dissolving the village into the town of Pomfret.

These discussion points, however, fell on deaf ears with those who served on the Village Board while he was at the helm. It was not Sullivan’s fault. He was stuck working with trustees who believed overspending never hurt anyone.

Part of the problem is that as village mayor, you have no vote. That fact did not affect Frank Pagano during his term, but it hindered Sullivan and has handcuffed the incumbent Stephen Keefe.

We know and appreciate what Sullivan brings to the table. But of the two candidates, Landis is the most intriguing.

She brings a fresh set of eyes, values and ideas to a village where some trustees, frankly, have become insulting to constituents. Landis won’t stand for that – and vows fiscal responsibility in moving the village forward.

That is a welcome change.

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