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 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 Norm 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.
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Norm Green
It appears as if both candidates for Chautauqua County executive plan to rely heavily on their years of leadership experience in appealing to voters this year.
PJ Wendel, who officially kicked off his re-election campaign last week, will be up against a familiar face when it comes to county elections: Norm Green, who confirmed Friday he is all-in on seeking the county’s top elected position.
“I am humbled by the support I continue to see throughout our community,” Wendel, a Republican, said in a campaign kickoff statement. “To file our countywide petitions with over 1,500 signatures shows the energy around my campaign, and is a vote of confidence for the job I am doing as county executive. I thank all of the volunteers for their hard work, and all of our county residents for their support.”