Former Chautauqua County Executives recognized at the Robert H. Jackson Center

The eight men who have led Chautauqua County in the nearly 50 years since the County Executive position was created were honored at an event held at the Robert H. Jackson Center Friday.

Until 1975, the Chautauqua County Board of Supervisors appointed a chair to serve as chief executive of county business. The Board of Supervisors system was challenged as being unconstitutional, with the challenge succeeding and the county required to rewrite its charter. The new charter included the establishment of a County Legislature and the County Executive position.

The former County Executives all shared memories of successes and challenges during their tenure.

The County Executives who have served Chautauqua County include:
Joseph Gerace (serving Jan. 1, 1975 to May 10, 1983),
John “Jack” Glenzer (serving Nov. 25, 1983 to Dec. 31, 1989),
Andrew Goodell (serving Jan. 1, 1990 to Dec. 31, 1997),
Mark Thomas (serving Jan. 1,1998 to Dec. 31, 2005),
Gregory Edwards (serving Jan.1 2006 to Nov. 17, 2013),
Vincent Horrigan (serving Jan. 1 2014 to Dec. 31, 2017)
George Borrello (serving Jan. 1, 2018 to Nov. 27, 2019)
Paul “PJ” Wendel (serving Jan. 1, 2020 to present).

Current County Attorney Stephen Abedella also was in attendance and was recognized for serving as Acting County Executive from November 18 to December 31, 2013. While not in attendance, David Dawson was recognized as well for his service as an Acting County Executive from May 10 to November 25, 1983.

We’ll be sharing the full recognition event on WRFA at a later date.

Image by Michael Head on flickr.

ALLEGANY STATE PARK – Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul was in Cattaraugus County on Tuesday for the official opening of the new, $4 million Quaker Lake bathhouse at Allegany State Park.

The $4 million investment in the replacement of the former bathhouse is part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s PARKS 2020 initiative designed to funnel $900 million into state parks over 10 years.

Former Chautauqua County executive and current State Parks Western District Director Mark Thomas said the old Quaker Lake Bathhouse had seen 45 years of service but was showing its age. It was demolished last year after Labor Day.

The new building is a modern, 10,000-square-foot, energy-efficient facility, officials said.

The lieutenant governor who is originally from Buffalo said one of her fondest memories was spending time with her family as a child camping in Allegany State Park.

Several officials were on hand for the Ribbon Cutting of Phase IV of the Riverwalk project, including, from left to right: Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi, NY Assemblyman Andy Goodell, District Director of NY Parks System Mark Thomas, County Executive Greg Edwards, Lisa Vanstrom (from Senator Cathy Young’s office) and Bob Young (representing local foundation interests in project). (Photo by Jason Sample/WRFA)

JAMESTOWN – It was a day of celebration for local officials in Jamestown Tuesday as dozens gathered on the north shore of the Chadaokion River to celebrate the completion of another leg of the city’s Riverwalk project.

Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi joined several others – including State Assemblyman Andy Goodell, State Parks representative Mark Thomas and recently appointed Gebbie Foundation CEO (and current County Executive) Greg Edwards – in celebrating the completion of phase IV of the Greater Jamestown Riverwalk Project and the groundbreaking of phase V.

Teresi said that the Riverwalk project again proves that regardless of political difference, local leaders do have the ability to work together for the common good of the community.

Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi addresses those who gathered for the ribbon cutting of Phase IV of the Riverwalk Project. (Photo by Jason Sample/WRFA)

“This project is the latest example of not only what we are able to do, but more importantly, when we choose to work together in the interest of the community,” Teresi explaiend. “When we become creative and when we become inclusive – bringing together folks, mainly from the private community level – there’s literally nothing that we can’t accomplish.”

Phase IV of the Riverwalk project included an additional 1,000 feet of paved walkway along the northern shore of the Chadakoin River just to the west of Main Street. The project also included lighting, riverbank stabilization, benches and picnic tables.

In all, it cost $319,000 for the project to be completed, with $150,000 coming from the city and $150,000 coming in the form of the New York State Environmental Protection Fund. An additional $19,000 came from the Gebbie Foundation.

Edwards said the project is an example of a good investment for the community, which will eventually lead to other future investments and developments in the city.

“Chautauqua County and the city of Jamestown are good investments. And good investments and proven investments draw more money, more commitment and more investment, and that’s what we’re seeing here. It’s great to hear backhoes and hear trains go through and see beautifully restored train stations. That’s a result of all your efforts.”

In addition to celebrating Phase IV of the riverwalk, officials also broke ground on Phase V, will will be located on the northwest side of the city and create a cooridor from an area near McCrea Point Park through Chadakoin Park and to Clifton Avenue on the northside of town. The total cost of that portion of the project will be $525,000 and will again be provided by the state and the city.

• RELATED AUDIO: Greg Edwards Interview with WRFA in March 2013

During the media conference, Edwards stated that he did not run for the job of county executive with the intention of making it his career. He also said that while the outpouring of support and encouragement to run for a third term has been tremendous, he has decided to pursue other opportunities.

Edwards was a lawyer for 18 years before becoming county executive. He has not held any other public office. In 2009, he won a second term in office after defeating challenger Chuck Cornell (D-Jamestown).

Edwards said he hopes that in the future he will be able to combine the skills he had as a lawyer with the ones he picked up in the position of county executive.  He said that while his name has been in consideration as a possible candidate for Governor in 2014, at this point in time he has no interest in seeking statewide office.

So far there’s been no word on who the county Republicans would have as their candidate for county executive this year. The Democrats had planned to announce their candidate on Wednesday of this week, but that announcement has since been delayed.

“I have a lot of things to accomplish before it becomes election season for me in Chautauqua County, so right now my focus is to accomplish those things that need to happen,” Edwards said.

“We’ve got a lot of great things happening in Chautauqua County and my focus has been and will continue to be on economic opportunities for people. We’re doing a great job there. Our job numbers have been very solid and I’m invested in finding better ways for people to get more education, more specific training, so they can actually be out there and be productive for themselves and their families. I will honestly try and hold off this debate on ‘yes’ or ‘no’ as long as I can because that deters me from my primary purpose of serving.”

Edwards was first elected to the position of County Executive in 2005, defeating two-term incumbent Mark Thomas. At the time, it was the first public office he ever ran for. He won reelection in 2009, defeating Democratic Challenger Chuck Cornell.  In 2010, he was the candidate for Lt. Governor, running with Republican Gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino from Buffalo, although they lost the election to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Lt. Gov. Bob Duffy.

Edwards said that at this time, he has no intention of seeking the republican nomination for governor in 2014.