{"id":29024,"date":"2019-03-05T12:52:49","date_gmt":"2019-03-05T17:52:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/?p=29024"},"modified":"2019-03-05T12:58:06","modified_gmt":"2019-03-05T17:58:06","slug":"wilfong-points-to-record-of-reducing-county-taxes-in-bid-for-gop-nomination-for-mayor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wilfong-points-to-record-of-reducing-county-taxes-in-bid-for-gop-nomination-for-mayor\/","title":{"rendered":"Wilfong Points to Record of Reducing County Taxes in Bid for GOP Nomination for Mayor"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

David Wilfong during a 2015 Meet the Candidates Forum when running for reelection for District 11 of the Chautauqua County Legislature<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

JAMESTOWN – The Chautauqua County legislator from Jamestown who’s now seeking the Republican Party’s nomination as candidate for Mayor is relying on his voting record of reducing taxes in county government to convince voters he’s the right man for the job.<\/p>\n

In early February current Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi<\/strong> (D) announced he would not be seeking a sixth term in office, opening the door for new leadership in City Hall. One of the individuals who’s come forward to seek the mayoral position is legislator David Wilfong<\/strong> (R-District 11).<\/p>\n

Wilfong first ran for an open district 11 seat in the Chautauqua County Legislature<\/strong> in 2011 after former legislator Maria Kindberg<\/strong> (D) opted not to seek reelection. He was defeated that year by Robert Whitney<\/strong> (D). However, he ran once again in 2013 on a platform of selling the Chautauqua County Home<\/strong> in order to reduce property taxes. He defeated Whitney in that rematch<\/a> and has been reelected twice since then – both in 2015<\/a> (defeating Whitney for a second time) and in 2017<\/a> (defeating Democratic challenger Frank Besse<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

In a recent interview with WRFA<\/a>, the three-term Republican said that since he joined the County Legislature at the start of 2014, county property taxes have gone down each year and he’s hoping to use that record to help win over voters in November.<\/p>\n

“A lot of people don’t realize that at the county level, we have lowered your property taxes for the last five years in a row. So I have a history of making sure I do what the people sent me to Mayville to do,” Wilfong said.<\/p>\n

Wilfong, who also currently serves as the chairman of the Chautauqua County Republican Committee<\/strong>, said he’s also shown he’s willing to work with people from the Democratic side of the aisle.<\/p>\n

“I’m going to run on my background and the platform I’m going to run on is that I have the knowledge and the skill to reach across the aisle and get things done for the people of Jamestown.”<\/p>\n

Wilfong also said he’s well aware of the financial challenges facing the city of Jamestown, which is currently at its constitutional taxing limit and which also has been working under an extremely tight spending plan for the past several years. Still, Wilfong said he does have some cost-saving proposals in mind and he’ll be rolling them out in the coming months. In addition, he said that if elected he’ll also be asking more from the Jamestown City Council<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

David Wilfong (R-District 11) during the October 2018 Chautauqua County Legislature meeting<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

“One of the things that I’m going to request from the city council is that I need more leadership from them and I need more guidance from them because one of the things I learned, being successful at the county, is we don’t do that by ourselves,” Wilfong said. “Mayor Teresi doesn’t spend a dime.\u00a0 George Borrello<\/strong>, our county executive, doesn’t spend a dime. It’s the city council and the county legislature that okays purchases. So you can say ‘Sam Teresi did this’ or ‘Sam Teresi did that’ but that’s not the truth. The city council is okayed those expenditures.”<\/p>\n

Wilfong is also aware that in order for the city to rebound, it will continue to need help from New York State. During the past three budgets the city has requested a total of more than $2.7 million in supplemental state aid to close annual deficits (the state approved the requests in 2017 and 2018 and appears ready to do so again this year).<\/p>\n

Wilfong credits the strong relationship mayor Teresi has with fellow Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo<\/strong> in helping to get that aid delivered. But he also hopes the state would continue offering support if he were elected to office.<\/p>\n

“Mayor Teresi has been a good steward of reaching out the governor and receiving funding so we can pay our bills. I would just hope that if I was elected governor that same courtesy would be extended. I just hope there wouldn’t be political games going on because I would be a Republican mayor,” Wilfong said.<\/p>\n

But before Wilfong can even run as a Republican in the November General Election, he will first likely have to win a primary in June. Both he and first-term city councilman At Large Andrew Liuzzo<\/strong> (R-At Large) are seeking the party’s nod for the mayoral race, with Wilfong being the candidate receiving the endorsement of the Jamestown Republican Committee. Both candidates are in the process of gathering signatures on their election petitions in order to qualify for the June primary.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the City Democratic Committee has selected local attorney Eddie Sundquist<\/strong> as its endorsed candidate and he appears to be unopposed in seeking the full party’s nomination as a candidate for mayor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

JAMESTOWN – The Chautauqua County legislator from Jamestown who’s now seeking the Republican Party’s nomination as candidate for Mayor is relying on his voting record of reducing taxes in county government to convince voters he’s the right man for the job. In early February current Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi (D) announced he would not be […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":29025,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[4],"tags":[27,4550,7389,9094,122,7773,422,431,659,7652,888,938,1122,9100,1495,1925,1984],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Wilfong.jpg?fit=1364%2C858&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3YlJ4-7y8","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":28802,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/jamestown-republican-committee-taps-wilfong-as-candidate-for-mayor\/","url_meta":{"origin":29024,"position":0},"title":"Jamestown Republican Committee Taps Wilfong as Candidate for Mayor","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"February 20, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"JAMESTOWN - It appears there will be a Republican primary for Mayor of Jamestown. The Jamestown Republican Committee Tuesday night endorsed current District 11 Chautauqua County Legislator and County GOP Committee Chairman David Wilfong as its mayoral candidate for the 2019 election. Wilfong is a lifelong resident of Jamestown who\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/wilfong.jpg?fit=530%2C342&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/wilfong.jpg?fit=530%2C342&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/wilfong.jpg?fit=530%2C342&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":30541,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wilfong-wins-republican-primary-will-face-sundquist-in-november-election-to-determine-jamestowns-next-mayor\/","url_meta":{"origin":29024,"position":1},"title":"Wilfong Wins Republican Primary, Will Face Sundquist in November Election to Determine Jamestown’s Next Mayor","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"June 26, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"JAMESTOWN - David Wilfong is the winner of Tuesday's Republican Primary for mayor of Jamestown, defeating opponent Andrew Liuzzo with an election night final of 480 to 271. An addition 61 absentee ballots were left to be counted. Wilfong currently is in his third term in the Chautauqua County Legislature,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/David-Wilfong.jpg?fit=800%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/David-Wilfong.jpg?fit=800%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/David-Wilfong.jpg?fit=800%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/David-Wilfong.jpg?fit=800%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":30515,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/over-25000-republicans-can-vote-in-tuesdays-primaries\/","url_meta":{"origin":29024,"position":2},"title":"Over 25,000 Chautauqua County Republicans Can Vote in Tuesday’s Primaries","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"June 25, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"JAMESTOWN - It's Primary Day across New York State and thousands of eligible voters in Chautauqua County will be heading to the polls Tuesday with several key races scheduled to take place both in Jamestown and in other communities across the region as well. The Chautauqua County Board of Elections\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/vote.jpg?fit=625%2C364&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/vote.jpg?fit=625%2C364&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/vote.jpg?fit=625%2C364&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":30779,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/republican-candidate-for-mayor-reacts-to-primary-opponent-running-as-libertarian-candidate\/","url_meta":{"origin":29024,"position":3},"title":"Republican Candidate for Mayor Reacts to Primary Opponent Running as Libertarian Candidate","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"July 23, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"JAMESTOWN - The Republican candidate for mayor of Jamestown says he's surprised his primary opponent has decided to run as a Libertarian candidate, but adds he doesn't think it will split the Republican vote in the Democratic candidate's favor. Republican David Wilfong defeated Andrew Liuzzo in the June Primary for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Liuzzo-Sundquist-Wilfong.jpg?fit=705%2C381&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Liuzzo-Sundquist-Wilfong.jpg?fit=705%2C381&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Liuzzo-Sundquist-Wilfong.jpg?fit=705%2C381&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Liuzzo-Sundquist-Wilfong.jpg?fit=705%2C381&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":29283,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/gop-candidates-for-mayor-will-appear-at-separate-downtown-meet-and-greet-events-on-march-23-and-march-26\/","url_meta":{"origin":29024,"position":4},"title":"GOP Candidates for Mayor will Appear at Separate Downtown Meet-and-Greet Events on March 23 and March 26","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"March 21, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"JAMESTOWN - The Republican candidates for mayor in the 2019 Election will appear at two separate events in the coming days to help raise awareness of and gain support for their campaign. On Saturday morning, March 23, Candidate for mayor Andrew Liuzzo will host a campaign fundraiser and meet-and-greet breakfast\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Wilfong-Liuzzo.jpg?fit=426%2C266&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":30700,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/liuzzo-nominated-as-mayoral-candidate-of-libertarian-party-but-hasnt-formally-accepted\/","url_meta":{"origin":29024,"position":5},"title":"Liuzzo Nominated as Mayoral Candidate of Libertarian Party but Hasn’t Formally Accepted","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"July 15, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"JAMESTOWN - The Jamestown city councilman who was unable to secure the Republican party's nomination as a candidate for mayor in June may still appear on the November election ballot. Members of the Chautauqua County Libertarian Party held their monthly meeting last week in Bemus Point and nominated several additional\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Liuzzo-1.png?fit=354%2C244&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29024"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29024"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29024\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29028,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29024\/revisions\/29028"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29025"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29024"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29024"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29024"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}