Loren Kent
Loren Kent will not be able to serve as the next Democratic Elections Commissioner for the Chautauqua County Board of Elections, unless he gets the backing of county Democrats and not just the Democratic county legislators.
The Hon. Lynn W. Keane has ruled that the Chautauqua County Legislature must appoint someone whom the county Democratic Committee recommends.
In March, the county legislature appointed Kent to the position, to fill the vacancy with the retirement of Norman P. Green. Last year the county Democratic Committee, in a narrow vote, recommended Luz Torres. Torres, who at the time was the Deputy Democratic Election Commissioner, was selected over Kent, who was the secretary of the county Democratic Party. Green has since stepped down from the position and announced his intention to run for county executive and Torres has been serving as the acting Democratic Election Commissioner.
gbacon@observertoday.com
A decision in state Supreme Court is expected to be made in the next couple of weeks on who will be the next Democratic Election Commissioner for Chautauqua County.
On Monday morning, Hon. Lynn W. Keane, judge for the state Supreme Court Eighth Judicial District, heard arguments in the matter of Norm Green vs. County of Chautauqua in a special proceeding that was held virtually.
Attorney Sean Cooney represented Green, while attorney Stephen Abdella represented the county.
Green, who is the county chairman of the Democratic Party, seeks to prevent the county Legislature and its Democratic Caucus from appointing to the office of elections commissioner someone other than an individual recommended by the Chautauqua County Democratic Committee. Last month the legislature appointed Loren Kent to the position, even though he was not recommended by the committee.
gbacon@observertoday.com
A decision in state Supreme Court is expected to be made in the next couple of weeks on who will be the next Democratic Election Commissioner for Chautauqua County.
On Monday morning, Hon. Lynn W. Keane, judge for the state Supreme Court Eighth Judicial District, heard arguments in the matter of Norm Green vs. County of Chautauqua in a special proceeding that was held virtually.
Attorney Sean Cooney represented Green, while attorney Stephen Abdella represented the county.
Green, who is the county chairman of the Democratic Party, seeks to prevent the county Legislature and its Democratic Caucus from appointing to the office of elections commissioner someone other than an individual recommended by the Chautauqua County Democratic Committee. Last month the legislature appointed Loren Kent to the position, even though he was not recommended by the committee.