2020 Mayoral Election
2020 Mayoral Election
The rescheduled 2020 Mayoral Election is upon us. For the majority of the year we have been listening in our small village to the back-and-forth of this election. In March, what was supposed to be two weeks before the original Election date, a debate was held at the Ellicottville Town Center. Seeing as how the March debate may not be fresh in constituents’ minds, from that debate, four questions were formulated for a side-by-side comparison, featured below. Both incumbent John Burrell and William Coolidge were given the same questions for your ‘Election Refresher’.
I want to thank both gentlemen for taking the time to answer all questions and hope that all the readers get up, get out and VOTE! Voting for the 2020 Mayoral Election will take place at the Ellicottville Town Center on Tuesday, September 15th from noon-9:00pm. Results will be reported shortly after 9:00pm.
CHALLENGER: William Coolidge
eNOW: There has been much discussion around the old Burrell Cutlery Factory. At the end of the day this acquisition has already happened, what do you see as the future for this site?
COOLIDGE: As I address the use of the Burrell Cutlery property, which is now village property, I would like to say there are more questions than answers. The future use is limited due to its pollution of toxins dumped there for many years. Unfortunately its use is very limited due to this fact. The property could be used for parking. It would provide roughly 35-40 parking spots. But this is a great opportunity for the voice of the village residents to be heard. I would love to hear from them and find out how can the village residents benefit from it. What do they want?
eNOW: With the state pushing for shared services via inter-municipal agreements, it means there is a need for seamless plans and communication between neighboring municipalities. Please explain to me a time where you have worked with others to come to an agreement?
COOLIDGE: I am a huge fan of working together for the best possible outcome. Over my 28 years of Law Enforcement, I have had many opportunities to work seamlessly with multiple agencies from the FBI, DEA, Sheriff’s Office, to local Law Enforcement, Border Patrol and Customs. This work was both domestically as well as internationally. Mind you, when multiple agencies get together, it’s not easy. In order for this to happen flawlessly and keep everyone safe, you have to COMMUNICATE! Get the best plan that is agreeable to all and know it inside and out. Work well with others. Know your role. Make sure everyone knows the pros and cons and be able to adjust accordingly if need be. Focus and ask questions. And probably the most important is LISTEN! Hear what’s being said! By doing all of the above, we were able to come to an agreement, execute the plan and make sure everyone was safe. I believe using the same methods will allow for a great future of working together with other municipalities. When working with other municipalities, you have to make sure you are getting back what you have given. We want both sides to get the biggest bang for their tax dollar.
eNOW: The engineering department was funded with a grant just like the future construction of the Ellicottville Skatepark. Please tell your constituents how the grant process is vital to pragmatic growth and what ideas you have for future development.
COOLIDGE: The grant process is one of the vital ways our Village of Ellicottville can grow. This process allows the village to do projects like the skatepark, parks, and buildings, etc. There are many grants out there. I would see if there is one for roads and sidewalks. You just have to find the ones that are best for your community and needs. I would like to also look into one for a parking structure as well. I see our village growing in many ways. From corporate mergers, trying to bring in new businesses, to possibly a new grocery store. The future is always unclear and uncertain but it’s always nice to dream. I know the residents would love a say and have great ideas. I look forward to hearing them. After all, it’s their tax dollars we are asking for. They should have a say.
eNOW: You are a lifelong resident of Ellicottville. Explain to your voters how it has changed, for better or worse?
COOLIDGE: As a lifelong resident of the village I have seen many changes. Some amazing and rewarding and others disheartening. I always like to try and focus on the good, so I will start with that. The good! Our village is seeing a new change and challenge. This is because of the situation the country is in. Businesses are learning to evolve and adapt during these trying times. It’s amazing. They didn’t give up! They didn’t walk away! They are steadfast and village strong. Thank you for that! We have so many wonderful attractions in the village from a brewery, hotel, expanding ski resorts, multiple restaurants and bars, to shops and stores which sell everything from skies and equipment to cupcakes. All of this in a one-mile-by-one-mile area! We have a lot in a small space which leads me to the needs of the village. Parking is a problem. We have to come up with a better idea than what is existing within the village. The number one priority is safety when dealing with this problem. I believe by getting the people involved, we can fix this problem easily. Second are roads and sidewalks. They are crumbling beneath us. We need to start to take care of the residents’ needs and rebuild their roads and sidewalks and give them a beautiful village again and keep it that way.
eNOW: Any last thoughts?
COOLIDGE: I will leave you with this. As mayor I will always be honest and truthful. I will always place your best interest and safety as my top priority. You are what makes this village. You have stood the test of time and kept our village going even when times were tough. We love our merchants and their love for this village. It is a great example of what it takes to work together and build a wonderful and amazing village. I look forward to getting everyone involved and hear your ideas and what you see as the future of our village. If you have any questions between now and the election or even in the future, please stop by or call. My number is 216-233-0081. It’s time for you to have a say again!
INCUMBENT: John Burrell
eNOW: There has been much discussion around the old Burrell Cutlery Factory. At the end of the day this acquisition has already happened, what do you see as the future for this site?
BURRELL: Right now I see Municipal parking as we can afford it. We never know what might be next, it may become a large revenue source for the Village in the future.
eNOW: With the state pushing for shared services via inter-municipal agreements, it means there is a need for seamless plans and communication between neighboring municipalities. Please explain to me a time where you have worked with others to come to an agreement?
BURRELL: Governor Cuomo in his "Shared Services Initiative" directed all counties to come up with a plan. I was a leader in this effort. In Phase 1, the County received $930,000. A part of this was shared with the Village. Also, over the past four years, Matt McAndrew and I have built a solid relationship of Town/Village cooperation, the best in the past twelve years. By far the biggest result was combining our Engineering Departments into one. Municipal Solutions, our financial consultant did a study showing that this would save us a combined savings of $99,000, per year over the first five years. With their help, our Grants Writer applied for and we received a grant of $400,000 from NYS Department of State.This money was used to build our new Department.
eNOW: The engineering department was funded with a grant just like the future construction of the Ellicottville Skatepark. Please tell your constituents how the grant process is vital to pragmatic growth and what ideas you have for future development.
BURRELL: The Tony Hawk Foundation has awarded the Village a $300,000 grant to help build a skateboard park at Village Park. This was achieved by working with the Skatepark Committee and our Grants Writer. I will continue to chase grant funding for projects already in the hopper. In addition and more importantly, I want ideas from members of the community for projects they would like to see.
eNOW: You are a lifelong resident of Ellicottville. Explain to your voters how it has changed, for better or worse?
BURRELL: I have been blessed to watch and be involved in the village I love for almost 75 years. I remember the Ellicottville of the 40's, 50's and 60's. It was a village of 1200 full-time people with more manufacturing jobs per capita than any other community in New York. On a small scale, we also had skiing on Greer hill in the village and in the late 50's at Holiday Valley. I was a skier. Like most communities, we've lost the majority of our manufacturing jobs. Unlike most other communities, we are blessed to have become an internationally known resort community with thousands of related jobs. Yes, Ellicottville has changed. I won't use better or worse but would ask that people look at other WNY communities and ask that question. I know where we stand.
eNOW: Any last thoughts?
BURRELL: Ellicottville is what it is. Our Village Board can't govern what it was; our charge as a board is to govern what it is today and work hard to steer what our residents want Ellicottville to become.