Legislator John Runkle addresses his fellow lawmakers prior to voting no to a CSEA contract during the Nov. 18, 2015 meeting of the Chautauqua County legislature.

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County has finally reached a new contract agreement with its largest collective bargaining unit.

On Wednesday night the Chautauqua County Legislature approved a new contract agreement with the CSEA Unit 6300. The agreement includes a high deductible health care plan, a 2-percent wage increase (retroactive to January 2015) and a 2 percent wage increase for 2016 and 2017.

The vote was 16 to 2, with legislators John Runkle (R-Stockton) and Bob Scudder (R-Fredonia) voting against the agreement. Runkle said he was against the contract, given the current and future economic climate of the county with the recent closure of the Con Agra plant and the possible closure of NRG.

“While still reeling from the Con Agra loss [of an estimated 400 jobs] and its economic ramifications, we are now confronted with another potentially devastating loss with the possible closure of NRG,” Runkle said while reading a prepared statement prior to the vote. “The economic ramifications of a potential NRG closure are obvious. We will be looking at an estimated loss of $1.7 million in county tax revenue per year should this plant be closed. Additionally, the people of Dunkirk would see an additional 40 to 50 percent increase in both their school and city property taxes should this occur.”

Runkle said he was also concerned with the strain the new contract will put on the county’s structural deficit, considering it includes a 2 percent salary increase. “With this proposed labor contract, and I point out here its completely non-mandated, we are adding an additional $3.5 million to this so-called structural deficit over the next two years.”

Despite Runkle’s concerns, other lawmakers say that while the contract does a salary increase, it also contains cost-saving measures.

“The savings – which I think are significant – is coming from the area of health benefits,” explained legislator Terry Niebel (R-Dunkirk). “While I personally think that a 2 percent raise is excessive, it has been pointed out to me that this is a six-year contract and the average salary increase would be 1 percent per year.”

Following the vote, County Executive Vince Horrigan said he was pleased that a deal could finally be reached and that all labor unions in county government are now working under contract.

“It’s a good contract that will take us out over six years,” Horrigan said. “They’ve been working without a contract for three-and-a-half years so I’m pleased with this. I think it’s fair. It’s good for the county, it’s good for the tax payers and it’s good for the employees.””

The CSEA had been working without a contract since the start of 2012. The new agreement is retroactive and would cover the years 2012 through 2017 and involves more than 900 county employees, who ratified the contract earlier this month.

Jamestown legislators David Wilfong (left) and Elisabeth Rankin both won reelection in their respective legislature seats. The two join 13 other Republicans who won legislature races on Election Day 2015.

MAYVILLE – With only eight of 19 contested races in the Chautauqua County Legislature, there wasn’t expected to be much of a change, and that sentiment held true following the 2015 Elections, with only a handful of new faces joining the ranks of the legislature.

FOUR NEW NAMES ADDED TO 19 MEMBER LEGISLATURE

The legislature will have just four new members starting in January, with only one incumbent being unseated in a contested race on Election Day.

In District 2, challenger Robert Bankoski (D-Dunkirk) defeated incumbent Shaun Heenan (R-Dunkirk) 679 to 365.

Two other newcomers were also elected after winning their respective contested races. In District 1, Kevin Muldowney (R-Dunkirk) defeated Democrat William Rivera (D-Dunkirk) 693 to 385. Muldowney will take the seat currently held by long-time legislator Keith Ahlstrom (D-Dunkirk), who did not seek reelection.

And in District 7, Mark Odell (R-Portland) defeated David Wilkinson (D-Cassadaga) 653 to 289. Odell will take the seat vacated by outgoing legislator John Runkle (R-Stockton), who is not seeking reelection.

The final newcomer is District 4‘s Christine Starks (D-Fredonia), who ran unopposed and will take over the seat held by legislator Janet Keefe (D-Fredonia), who also did not seek reelection.

REPUBLICANS SWEEP REMAINING CONTESTED RACES

There were two contested legislature races in the Jamestown area, and both Republican incumbents won reelection. In District 11 David Wilfong (R-Jamestown) defeated Robert Whitney (D-Jamestown) 347 to 305. In District 12, it was incumbent Elisabeth Rankin (R-Jamestown) defeating challenger Beth Kresge (D-Jamestown) 430 to 399. Both races were rematches from the 2013 election.

Other incumbents being reelected despite having opposition on the ballet were Legislature Chairman and Jay Gould (R-Ashville, District 17), Bob Scudder (R-Fredonia, District 3) and Terry Niebel (R-Dunkirk, District 5).

As a result of the elections, the GOP gained a seat in the legislature, strengthening its super-majority. Of the 19 members, 15 will be Republicans, 4 will be Democrats.

WINNERS OF 2015 CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY LEGISLATURE ELECTIONS

D1: Kevin J. Muldowney (R-Dunkirk) (Won Contested Race)
D2: Robert Bankoski (D-Dunkirk) (Won Contested Race)
D3: Bob Scudder* (R-Fredonia) (Won Contested Race)
D4: Christine Starks (D-Fredonia)
D5: Terry Niebel* (R-Dunkirk) (Won Contested Race)
D6: George Borrello* (R-Irving)
D7: Mark Odell (R-Portland) (Won Contested Race)
D8: Pierre Chagnon* (R-Bemus Point)
D9: Charles Nazzaro* (D-Jamestown)
D10: Paul Wendell* (R-Lakewood)
D11: David Wilfong* (R-Jamestown) (Won Contested Race)
D12: Elisabeth Rankin* (R-Jamestown) (Won Contested Race)
D13: Paul Whitford* (D-Jamestown)
D14: Mark Tarbrake* (R-Jamestown)
D15: Lisa Vanstrom* (R-Jamestown)
D16: Ronald Lemon* (R-Frewsburg)
D17: Jay Gould* (R-Ashville) (Won Contested Race)
D18: David Himelein* (R-Findley Lake)
D19: John Hemmer* (R-Westfield)

* – Incumbent

A map of the legislative districts for Chautauqua County.

On Thursday the county’s audit and control committee met to discuss and finalize a spending plan that can be voted on next week by the full legislature. While some ground has been made in finalizing the $256 million spending – the Post-Journal is reporting that committee members were split on just how much money from the Fund Balance should be applied to the budget.

Committee member George Borrello (R-Irving) is against using $500,000 from the fund balance to lower taxes even further than what has already been proposed. County executive Vince Horrigan is calling for a tax rate cut of 4.6 percent – but Borrello’s move, combined with other adjustments – would result in a 5.9 percent tax cut. That’s lower than the 6.7 percent cut to the tax rate that would go into effect if the fund balance allocation is used.

The committee voted 3-2 in favor of Borrello’s motion, with both chairman John Runkle and Jamestown legislator Chuck Nazzaro against it.

The amendment, along with others that have been brought forward, will be fully discussed during next Wednesday’s full legislature meeting.

A map of the legislative districts for Chautauqua County.

MAYVILLE – 2015 is a local election year in Chautauqua County with several races shaping up for the 19-member Chautauqua County Legislature.

Currently, the Republicans hold a super-majority in Mayville, with 14 of the 19 seats held by the GOP.  And with six GOP incumbents running unopposed, the odds are pretty slim that Republicans risk losing their majority status.

Still, county Democrats are hoping to regain a few seats by challenging six of the seats currently held by the GOP. A seventh contested race will feature two registered Democrats vying for the same seat, with the incumbent Democrat being endorsed by the GOP and Conservative parties. And an eighth contested race will feature an independent taking on the current legislature chairman.

The legislature will have at least three new members. That’s because current legislators Keith Ahlstrom (D-Dunkirk, District 1), Janet Keefe (D-Fredonia, District 4) and John Runkle (R-Stockton, District 7) will not seek reelection.

The legislature elections, which involve two-year terms for each seat, will be the only county government race in 2015. The county executive and county clerk each have two years remaining on their four-year terms.

For a complete listing of all local elections, visit www.VoteChautauqua.com.

Election day 2015 is Tuesday, November 3.

CONTESTED LEGISLATURE RACES

• District 1 (OPEN SEAT): Kevin Muldowney, R-Dunkirk; William Rivera, D-Dunkirk
• District 2: Shaun Heenan, D-Dunkirk (incumbent, running on Republican line); Robert Bankoski, D-Dunkirk
• District 3: Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia (incumbent); Wayne Dorler, D-Fredonia
• District 5: Terry Niebel, R-Dunkirk (incumbent); Martin Anderson, D-Forestville
• District 7 (OPEN SEAT): Mark Odell, R-Brocton; David Wilkinson, D-Cassadaga
• District 11: David Wilfong, R-Jamestown (incumbent); Robert Whitney, D-Jamestown
• District 12: Elisabeth Rankin, R-Jamestown (incumbent); Beth Kresge, D-Jamestown
• District 17: Jay Gould, R-Ashville (incumbent, chairman); John Suroviec, i-Clymer

UNCONTESTED LEGISLATURE RACES

• District 4: Christine Starks, D-Fredonia
• District 6: George Borrello, R-Irving
• District 8: Pierre Chagnon, R-Bemus Point
• District 9: Charles “Chuck” Nazzaro, D-Jamestown
• District 10: Paul “PJ” Wendel, R-Lakewood
• District 13: Paul Whitford, D-Jamestown
• District 14: Mark Tarbrake, R-Jamestown
• District 15: Lisa Vanstrom, R-Ellicott
• District 16: Ron Lemon, R-Frewsburg

According to an article in the Post-Journal, committee members Thursday discussed using proceeds from the county’s bed tax to fund the creation of the National Bigfoot Center.

Funding for the project – which is being spear-headed by Peter Wiemer, owner of We Wan Chu Cottages and organizer of the Chautauqua Lake Bigfoot Expo – was suggested by the county’s Tourism Review Panel. However, the review panel made funding to the National Bigfoot Center contingent upon proof of the project’s viability.

The proposed $4 million project aimed to utilize property near the Interstate 90 exit in Ripley. The project requested the maximum $10,000 from the occupancy tax fund for 2015 and 2016.

Projects that would be awarded funding (all under $10,000) would be the Lucy Town Half Marathon and 5K, Chautauqua Gran Fondo Cycling Tour, and the Chadwick Bay Bike Run.

Lawmakers said they didn’t feel enough information was available to them to prove the Bigfoot Center project was viable, and suggested Wiemer return next year and request the funding again.

Not everyone was in favor of encouraging the Big Foot project to return next year and ask for funding. County legislator and Audit and Control committee chairman John Runkle (R-Stockton) said if approved, it would be the most ridiculous appropriation of taxpayer dollars he has ever seen his entire life.

In September, County Executive Vince Horrigan presented a $228.7 million budget that included a one percent increase in property taxes – with a tax rate increase that would equal 7 cents per thousand dollar assessed value.

However, County Legislature and Audit and Control Committee Chairman John Runkle tells WRFA that his committee was able to identify 10 amendments to the initial spending proposal that would result in a net savings of $771,560.

Those proposed amendments are as follows:

• $120,000 reduction in Sheriff’s Department Budget due to phone surcharge savings
• $100,000 increase in projected Sales Tax revenue
• Reduce CARTS Spending by $46,000 as a result of 2015 grant
• Decrease Jail Utility Costs by $21,000
• Reduce Environmental Health budget by $27,250 due to miscalculation
• Reduce Department of Social Services administrative budget by $100,000
• Reduce Public Defenders budget by $50,000
• Anticipate a state aid reimbursement of $400,000 for Health and Human Services budget
• Decrease Office for the Aging budget by $50,000
• Add $150,000 in additional revenue to the Department of Public Facilities’ Capital Reserve Fund

As a result, the tax rate would actually see a 2 cent per thousand dollar decrease, compared to the 2014 tax rate.

The legislature will allow the public to comment on the budget prior to the vote. A public comment is scheduled for both 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. during today’s meetings.

According to a news article Thursday in the Post-Journal, the legislature on Wednesday night tabled the resolution to crate the position. The motion to table the measure was made by Stockton legislator John Runkle  who felt that more time was needed to review and consider the creation of the position. Under the current language in the resolution, the position would have a salary range of $43,131-$66,053.

The job description requires that the individual maintain policies and procedures involving medical billing, payments and mandatory reporting for the general operation of the county’s medical compliance program and its related activities to prevent illegal conduct.

County executive Vince Horrigan has said that the position is essential.

Chuck Cornell

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Legislature has voted against the appointment of Jamestown Democrat Chuck Cornell to fill a recently vacated seat in District 12.

Earlier this month, Cornell was selected by Democrats in his district to fill the seat being vacated by Fred Larson – who accepted an appointment to become Jamestown’s second full-time city judge. However, Cornell’s appointment required approval from the legislature, and on Wednesday night it voted 10 to 7 against having him join. It was the first time since 1983 that the legislature did not approve an appointment.

Prior to the vote, legislator Terry Niebel (R-Dunkirk) asked his fellow lawmakers to approve the appointment, saying it was the right thing do to, considering the support Cornell received from party members in his district.

“In the 150-year proud history of this legislature, there’s only been one instance where this body has turned the appointment by a local committee, and that was in 1983,” Niebel said. Not since then has there been any recommendation from a district committee that has been turned down, and there’s been dozens and dozens if not hundreds.”

Despite Niebel’s request, eight of his fellow 11 Republican legislators voted against Cornell’s appointment. Including majority leader John Runkle (R-Cassadaga). Runkle requested a five minute recess prior to the Cornell vote, in which he met privately with other members of his party. Following the meeting, Runkle said that Cornell’s reputation for party partisanship was a contributing factor for voting against his appointment.

“Several people felt that with the infusion of the Mr. Cornell that we might be returning to the days of yesteryear, which I was told by a number of legislators they did not want to do, but that’s my understanding of how the legislators who voted against it felt,” Runkle told WRFA following the meeting.

TWO DEMOCRATS VOTE ‘NO’

The biggest surprise may have been the two ‘no’ votes that were cast by Democrats Keith Ahlstrom (Dunkirk) and Shaun Heenan (Dunkirk). Ahlstrom would only say his vote was due to a letter that Cornell had wrote in November 2013. “This is a personnel-type issue… I would refer back to a letter that Mr. Cornell had in the Dunkrik Observer, I believe on November 18, [to explain] why I voted ‘no’.”

In the letter – which was entitled “Partisan Redistricting Works” – Cornell said the GOP’s recent “tsunami” victory in the 2013 election was due primarily to the new district that were developed “largely by a partisan Albany-based consultant hired by the Republican caucus to draw the lines.” Cornell also specifically mentioned both Ahlstrom and Heenan, saying the two voted against an earlier redistricting plan that was drawn by a nonpartisan, independent commission and as a result, the partisan plan was put into place.

Those voting against the appointment were: Ahlstrom, Heenan, Runkle, Bob Scudder (R-Fredonia), George Borrello (R-Irving), Pierre Chagnon (R-Bemus Point), Mark Tarbrake (R-Jamestown), Lisa Vanstrom (R-Jamestown), Ron Lemon (R-Frewsburg) and John Hemmer (R-Westfield).

Those seven who voted in favor of the appointment were: Niebel, Janet Keefe (D-Fredonia), Chuck Nazarro (D-Jamestown), David Wilfong (R-Jamestown), Paula DeJoy (D-Jamestown), David Himelein (R-Findley Lake) and Legislature Chairman Jay Gould (R-Ashville).

Legislator PJ Wendell (R-Lakewood) was absent.

Following the vote, Chuck Cornell said he was obviously disappointed with the outcome.

“All I really wanted to do was to serve. Public Service has been an important part of my life and I just wanted to serve. I was asked if I was interested. I was chosen unanimously by the committee that lives on the north side of Jamestown and so obviously I’m disappointed that I was not approved this evening.

OPTIONS FOR FILLING THE VACANCY

Also in attendance during last night’s meeting was Chautauqua County Democratic Committee Chairman Norman Green, who said there are a couple of options the local committee will now consider.

“The committee certainly has the opportunity to go back,” Green explained.  “I will certainly recommend to the committee that they stick to their guns. I will certainly recommend to Mr. Cornell -we start petitions Thursday, the first day of petitioning season – and I will recommend to Mr. Cornell that he takes it to the people [in the general election].”

Green said he was also disappointed with the two Dunkirk Democrats who voted against the appointment.

“I’m disappointed that two Democrats – two people that we supported – haven’t supported us and it was a sad day from the Democratic representation from the city of Dunkirk,” Green said.

Keith Ahlstrom and Shaun Heanan voted the other way, Cornell would have been added to the legislature.

The vote on the contract wasn’t unanimous. It was approved by a final vote of 12 to 6, with several lawmakers -including Terry Niebel (R-Dunkirk), John Runkle (R-Stockton) and George Borello (R-Irving) – voicing concern over the cost of the contract and the precedent it will set with other labor groups in the county that still have expired contracts.

Legislature Chairman Jay Gould and legislator John Runkle of are sponsoring a motion that would ask the state legislature to consider passing a law that requires anyone who receives benefits from the state to be a New York State resident.

According to the lawmakers, currently there is no residency requirement in the State of New York for anyone in order to receive welfare benefits. They also claim that Chautauqua County has experienced an influx of out of state residents to receive welfare benefits, resulting in an increase of hundreds of thousands of dollars to County taxpayers.

The motion will be reviewed today in committee. If approved, it will go to the floor of the legislature during its monthly voting session next week.

The Human Services Committee will also meet today with County Health and Humane Services Director Christine Schuyler to get an update on the county’s Welfare-to-Work initiative.

Today’s meeting begins at 5:45 pm and will take place in Room 331 of the Gerace Office Building in Mayville.

Other legislative committees meeting today include the Public Safety Committee at 4:00pm and the  Planning & Economic Development Committee at 7:00 pm.

All county legislature committee meetings are open to the public.