Chautauqua County legislators who represent the north county are a much more diverse group than those who collectively are in Mayville. Some of that is because they are more outspoken — and are not falling in line with a majority party that is Republican.

Over the last decade, after the sale of the Chautauqua County Home, employment levels have increased as well as spending. In the meantime, the Legislature represents fewer residents as population has declined.

In the meantime, this group of 19 will get a 64% pay bump come January, thanks to the Republican vote, for apparently a job well done.

Running unopposed are incumbents Marcus Buchanan of District 1, Robert Bankoski of District 2, both of Dunkirk; Johnathan Penhollow of District 7 in Portland-Brocton and Frederick Johnson of District 19 in Westfield and Ripley. Newcomers Sandra Lewis of District 4 in Fredonia and Jason Merritt of District 5, which includes Sheridan.

There are two races that are contested:

— DISTRICT 3 — Robert Scudder is the overwhelming favorite and has served for multiple terms in the area representing Fredonia and Pomfret. In the Legislature, he is far from outspoken — usually going along with the majority party on all issues and occasionally noting his opposition to airport funding. On a local level, he is invisible in the significant issues that include the contentious Fredonia water debate and the village’s high-tax problem. Challenger Robert Dando has been active in labor councils for years — and aims to bring a voice that will challenge the current status quo. That is greatly needed at the moment. He gets our backing.

— DISTRICT 6 — Challenger Amanda Merced is saying all the right things on the campaign trail. She wants taxes fair and transparent, safer roads and stronger neighborhoods and keeping county government accountable. She also wants “common-sense leadership.” How to get there is a bigger question. Incumbent Tom Harmon has fallen into the same trap as Scudder in terms of the Republican way of Mayville that lends itself to increases in spending and growing government. Our confidence in Harmon is that we have seen his leadership while he was trustee in Silver Creek years ago. He made tough decisions that reduced village spending. He needs to be more aggressive in the Legislature. If he can do that, he deserves another term.