Locally in Jamestown, incumbent David Wilfong (R) defeated  challenger Frank Besse (D) in the District 11 race. Meanwhile in District 12, incumbent Elisabeth Rankin (R) defeated challenger Dave Reinhardt (D).

A complete list of legislative winners is provided below.

Meanwhile, in addition to 17 incumbents winning reelection, there were also two open seats up for a vote.

In District 16 – which includes the towns of Kiantone, Carroll, and Poland – John Davis (R-Frewsburg) defeated Terry Walker (D-Kennedy). That seat is currently held by Ron Lemon (R-Frewsburg) who did not seek reelection.

The closest legislative race of the night was in District 6, where Kevin O’Connell (D-Silver Creek) defeated Gary Cerne (R-Irving) 53 to 47 percent.

With the election day results, Democrats in the legislature will have picked up one seat on the legislature but will still be significantly outnumbered by nearly a 3 to 1 margin, with 14 Republican to just 5 Democrats.

Chautauqua County Legislature 2017 Election Results

District 1

• WINNER – Kevin Muldowney* (R– Dunkirk)
• James Palmatier (D-Dunkirk)

District 2 – Uncontested

• WINNER – Robert Bankoski* (D-Dunkirk)

District 3

• Robert Dando (D-Fredonia)
• WINNER – Robert Scudder* (R-Fredonia)

District 4 – Uncontested

• WINNER – Christine Starks* (D-Fredonia)

District 5 – Uncontested

• WINNER – Terry Niebel* (R-Dunkirk)

District 6

• Gary Cerne (R, Con, Ind – Irving)
• WINNER – Kevin O’Connell (D-Silver Creek)

District 7 – Uncontested

• WINNER – Mark O’Dell* (R-Brocton)

District 8

• WINNER – Pierre Chagnon* (R-Bemus Point)
• Jeri Ann Simora (D-Stow)

District 9 – Uncontested

• WINNER – Charles Nazzaro* (D-amestown)

District 10 – Uncontested

• WINNER – Paul “PJ” Wendel* (R-Lakewood)

District 11

• Frank Besse (D-Jamestown)
• WINNER – David Wilfong* (R-Jamestown)

District 12

• WINNER – Elisabeth Rankin* (R-Jamestown)
• Dave Reinhardt (D-Jamestown)

District 13 – Uncontested

• WINNER – Paul Whitford* (D-Jamestown)

District 14 – Uncontested

• WINNER – Dan Pavlock (R-Charlotte)

District 15 – Uncontested

• WINNER – Lisa Vanstrom* (R-Jamestown)

District 16

• WINNER – John Davis (R-Frewsburg)
• Terry Walker (D-Kennedy)

District 17 – Uncontested

• WINNER – Frank “Jay” Gould (R-Ashville)

District 18

• Ella Ames (D-Mayville)
• WINNER – David Himelein* (R-Findley Lake)

District 19

• Laurel Adams (D-Ripley)
• WINNER – John Hemmer* (R-Westfield)

George Borrello (left) and Michael Ferguson, the 2017 Candidates for Chautauqua County Executive

MAYVILLE – Election Day 2017 has arrived and by tonight most if not all the candidates around Chautauqua County will find out if they have been elected to public office.

BORRELLO VS. FERGUSON FOR COUNTY EXEC

The highlight of this local election year is the race for Chautauqua County Executive, which features George Borrello (R-Irving) and Mike Ferguson (D-Fredonia).

Borrello has touted his work as a private businessman and elected official on the Chautauqua County Legislature as reasons why residents should select him. Meanwhile, Ferguson has prided himself on being able to serve as a top administrator at a number of private and nonprofit operations, including a past GM of the Jamestown Jammers professional baseball team, the former GM of the Northwest Arena, a member of the county’s tourism board, and as current executive of the Fredonia Place skilled nursing facility.

• Listen to WRFA’s Community Matters’ Interview with Ferguson (Oct. 12)
• Listen to WRFA’s Community Matters’ Interview with Borrello (Sept. 28)

Larry Barmore (left) and LeeAnn Lazarony

BARMORE VS LAZARONY FOR COUNTY CLERK

Another county-wide election will feature the race for Chautauqua County Clerk, where incumbent Larry Barmore (R-Gerry) will square off against former Cassadaga Mayor LeeAnn Lazarony (D-Cassadaga).

• Listen to WRFA’s Community Matters’ Q&A with both Larry Barmore and LeeAnn Lazarony

COUNTY LEGISLATURE HAS NINE CONTESTED RACES

All 19 seats of the Chautauqua County Legislature are also up for a vote, but only nine of them feature contested races. The main focus will be to see if Democrats are able to cut into the Republicans Stronghold over the legislature, where currently the GOP outnumbers its counterparts 15 to 4.

In Jamestown there are two contested races for the Legislature.

In District 11, which is the northwest portion of the city, incumbent David Wilfong (R) who’s also the county GOP committee chair, is being challenged by local businessman Frank Besse (D).

In District 12, which covers the northeast portion of the city, incumbent Elisabeth Rankin (R) will face challenger Dave Reinhardt (D).

Another local race of interest features the open seat in District 16, which is currently held by Ron Lemon (R-Frewsburg). Lemon has opted not to run for reelection and as a result, that race will feature John Davis (R-Frewsburg) squaring off against Terry Walker of (D-Kennedy). District 16 covers the towns of Kiantone, Carroll, and Poland.

A map of the legislative districts for Chautauqua County.

Other contested races include:

District 8 – Towns of Ellery and North Harmony

• Pierre Chagnon* (R, Con, Ind – Bemus Point)
• Jeri Ann Simora (D, WF – Stow)

District 18 – Towns of Chautauqua, Mina and Sherman

• Ella Ames (D, Ind, WF, WEP – Mayville)
• David Himelein* (R, Con – Findley Lake)

District 19 – Towns of Ripley and Westfield

• Laurel Adams (D, WEP – Ripley)
• John Hemmer* (R, Con, Ind – Westfield)

District 1 – Dunkirk

• Kevin Muldowney* (R, Con, Ind – Dunkirk)
• James Palmatier (D-Dunkirk)

District 3 – Fredonia

• Robert Dando (D, WF, WEP – Fredonia)
• Robert Scudder* (R, Con, Ind – Fredonia)

District 6 – Hanover (Borrello’s current seat)

• Gary Cerne (R, Con, Ind – Irving)
• Kevin O’Connell (D, WF – Silver Creek)

Local legislators Paul Whitford (D), Chuck Nazarro (D), and Lisa Vanstrom (R) – all  of Jamestown – along with PJ Wendel (R) of Lakewood, are all running unopposed.

For more information on Election Day 2017, visit www.VoteChautauqua.com.

Polls opened at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 9 p.m.

• MOBILE APP USERS: LISTEN HERE

This year’s election features races for several local offices, including County Executive, County Clerk, and all 19 seats in the Chautauqua County Legislature.

Already announced candidates include Republican George Borrello (Irving) and Democrat Mike Ferguson (Fredonia) running for the open seat of County Executive after Vince Horrigan announce at the start of this year he would not seek another term in office. Running for county clerk will be Republican incumbent Larry Barmore of Gerry, being challenged by Democrat LeeAnn Lazarony of Cassadaga.

10 out of 19 Legislature Seats Uncontested

A map of the legislative districts for Chautauqua County.

In addition to the two county-wide races, there will be nine contested races for in the 19-seat Chautauqua County Legislature, including two open seat races.

Contested races include:

• District 1 (Dunkirk) – Democrat Tommy Roque is facing Republican incumbent Kevin Muldowney;
• District 3 (Fredonia) – Democrat Robert Dando is facing Republican incumbent Bob Scudder;
• District 6 (Hanover) – Democrat Kevin O’Connell of Silver Creek is facing Republican Gary Cerne of Irving. The two are vying for the seat currently held by Borrello, who is running for County Executive;
• District 8 (Ellery and North Harmony) – Democrat Jeri Ann Simora of Stow is challenging Republican incumbent Pierre Chagnon of Bemus Point;
• District 11 (Jamestown) – Democrat Frank Besse is challenging Republican incumbent and County Republican Party Chair Dave Wilfong;
• District 12 (Jamestown) – Democrat Dave Reinhardt is challenging Republican incumbent Elisabeth Rankin;
• District 16 (Kiantone, Carrol, Poland) – Democrat and Poland Town Councilman Terry Walker of Kennedy is facing Republican John Davis of Frewsburg. The two are vying for the seat currently held by Republican Ron Lemon (Frewsburg) who has announced he will not seek reelection;
• District 18 (Chautauqua, Sherman, and Mina) – Independence Party member Ella Ames of Mayville is running on the Democratic ticket and is challenging Republican incumbent and Legislature Chairman David Himelein of Findley Lake;
• District 19 (Westfield and Ripley) – Democrat Laurel Adams of Ripley is challenging Republican incumbent John Hemmer of Westfield.

It appears 10 races will be uncontested this year.

The four incumbent Democratic legislators are all seeking re-election and are apparently not being opposed by Republicans. They include Minority Leader Chuck Nazzaro (District 9 – Jamestown) Assistant Minority Leader Bob Bankoski (District 2 – Dunkirk); Christine Starks (District 4 – Fredonia) and Paul Whitford (District 13 – Jamestown).

Six Republicans, including five incumbents, are also running unopposed. They are Terry Niebel (District 5 – Dunkirk), Mark O’Dell (District 7 – Brocton), Paul “PJ” Wendel (District 10- Lakewood), Lisa Vanstrom (District 15 – West Ellicott), and Frank “Jay” Gould (District 17 – Ashville).

Republican Dan Pavlock of Charlotte will be running unopposed in the open District 14 seat, which is being vacated by Republican Mark Tarbrake (Jamestown), who is vacating the seat due to moving out of the district. District 14 covers the Town of Ellicott north of I-86, along with the towns of Gerry, Ellington, and Charlotte.

Republicans currently hold at 15 to 4 majority in the legislature.

• MOBILE APP USERS: LISTEN HERE

The 2015 Lucy Town Half Marathon and 5K race will take place Oct. 10 and 11 in Jamestown, NY. (Image courtesy of www.LucyRace.com)

The Lucy Town Half Marathon and Univera 5K is taking place this weekend in Jamestown, NY and the weather forecast appears to be near-perfect weather for the event. The forecast is calling for Sunny weather throughout the weekend, with temperatures in the upper 50s on Saturday for the 5K race and kids 2K race and in the low to mid 60s for Sunday’s half marathon.

The event is being organized by the National Comedy Center and Lucy-Desi Center. Executive Director Journey Gunderson said the two races were created in 2013 and designed to not only promote Lucille Ball’s Hometown, but also provide a healthy and active way to do it.

“I think the catalyst for it was Lou Depas (from our board of directors) and and Dave Reinhardt (formerly of Chautauqua Striders and who now operates races as an independent contractor),” Gunderson told WRFA during a recent interview [listen]. “They’ve witnessed great races in other communities and saw the impact that it had, and we were looking to expand our year-round programming, in terms of comedy, so we thought let’s join forces, let’s put something together that gives people a couple of reasons to come to Jamestown.”

Gunderson says that so far registration for both races is doing well, adding that there is still time for participants to register if they haven’t already done so.

JOY BEHAR AT THE REG LENNA SATURDAY NIGHT

The weekend of events will also include a performance by nationally known television host and long-time stand up comedian Joy Behar, best known for her work on The View.

Joy Behar

Behar told WRFA during an interview earlier this week that its an honor to be performing in Lucille Ball’s hometown.

“I grew up with Lucy, like a lot of people and I basically couldn’t go to sleep until her show was over,” Behar said. “It’s interesting that the show is still on the air. People can still see that that comedy has held up over the years… I think she’s in the top five greats. Charlie Chaplin, Lucille Ball -those are the names that I think hold up for over a century.”

Behar also says she thinks having a National Comedy Center in Jamestown is something that will be a success.

“Cooperstown seems to do okay with the Baseball Hall of Fame, and then the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland seems to do well,” Behar said, adding, “Not everybody can always come to New York City. There are places you want to visit in this country. So I think [the Comedy Center] is sort of a destination for people and I think it will work.”

Behar will be performing at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts on Saturday night. Tickets are still available for the show by calling the Reg Lenna box office at 716.484.7070 or visiting www.lucyrace.com.

To register for either race, visit www.lucyrace.com for race registration and additional information.

For the past several months, residents around the park have been working on a plan to help renovate the park and make it safer and more accessible for children throughout the neighborhood. Local resident Dave Reinhardt is helping to spearhead the initiative and says its really a group effort between several different organizations. He says it got underway after he and some other residents in the neighborhood became concerned about some of the activity they noticed in and around the park area, including vandalism and drug and gang activity.

Also included among the groups that are also helping with the park renovation effort is the Chautauqua County Health Network, which is using funding from the Creating Healthy Places initiative. Earlier this year, organizers discussed various fundraising initiatives and set a goal of $30,000 to be raised over the next year to help cover the cost of renovating the park.

Tonight’s meeting will focus on the scheduled park clean-up day, taking place on Saturday, May 19 as part of Hands on Jamestown. The meeting will take place at Lillian Dickson Park, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Everyone in the community is invited to attend. Snacks and beverages will be provided.