Fredonia’s most important issue this election year — as it has been for the last two decades — revolves around water. Each time a recurring boil order takes place, the village takes on the look of being inept.

Developers stay away. Enrollment declines at the State University of New York campus. Users become frustrated.

Water is no longer a local problem. Because it happens so often, it is becoming an issue that is negatively affecting a village’s and university’s reputation regionally and across the state.

It is not a good look.

During this campaign, only one candidate has been vocal on this issue: David Bird. As a former village trustee, we have noted our disagreements with the candidate — specifically his belief on growing village government. He was a major backer of one salary increase of 20% in a year for a department head in the past. That’s unheard of in times when money is tight, but governments locally have never operated under that premise. They just pass on those costs to the communities they serve.

With that being said, Bird has been courageous in his stance that it is time to look to the North County Water District as a village supplier — even voting to do so in 2023. That is one of the few answers to possibly grow the municipality. Because of that vision, we support him for one of the two open trustee seats.

Other candidates, Christine Cruz-Keefe and LeeAnn Lazarony, are both highly capable but have been more wishy-washy on their stance for the future of Fredonia water. We are confident both will serve the village well if elected. Lazarony, as a former Cassadaga mayor, has more experience with municipal government. This earns her a slight backing as well.

As Bird learned from his previous tenure, village government has become a bit of a hornet’s nest. This is due to previous administrations consistently hoping for more revenue while ignoring the rising expenses that created the major headache of a 54% tax increase this year and the nearly doubling of water and sewer rates.

Those actions always put the system of government first — while sticking it to the constituents.