Ecklund becomes second woman to win Jamestown Mayoral election...
There will be a new mayor in the city of Jamestown come Jan. 1... and, for only the second time, it will be a woman in the position. Republican At-Large Councilwoman Kim Ecklund was elected by just over 200 votes over Democratic incumbant Eddie Sundquist. Ecklund tallied 2,413 votes to Sundquist's 2,204. Ecklund says she felt good on Election Day-Tuesday... but, never assumed anything. She says she ran like she was "20-points behind..." and, tried to stay away from dirty politics. Ecklund will be the first Republican woman, and woman to win election to a four-year term. The late Carolyn Seymour, a Democrat, served for two years in the 1990s. Sundquist was disappointed by the loss... but, was satisfied with his campaign. He says, as mayor, it's been the "honor of his lifetime" to serve his hometown. Sundquist was first elected in 2019 after receiving the Democratic endorsement after former Mayor Sam Teresi decided not to run for another term. He then won a three-way race for the mayor's post. Ecklund is completing her 20th year as an At-Large City Councilwoman.
Few surprises and upsets in City Council, and County Legislature votes...
There was a local "red wave" in the city of Jamestown on Election Night... with Republicans adding to their supermajority on the City Council. With Tuesday's results... the GOP has eight of the council's nine-seats... and, that was exciting news for incumbant Council President Tony Dolce... who ran unopposed for the Second-Ward seat. Dolce called it "historic" in what's been a predominantly a Democratic city. The lone Democratic winner appears to be incumbant Regina Brackman in Ward-Three... who led Robert Reedy by 40 votes when the night was over. Other winners in ward races were Brent Sheldon... Joe Paterniti... Bill Reynolds... and Andrew Faulkner. Incumbants Jeff Russell and Randy Davera won At-Large Seats... along with newcomer Russ Bonfiglio.
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There were some mixed results in races for the Chautauqua County Legislature... However... Republicans appear to have retained a 15-4 majority on the panel. One race will come down to absentees. In that one... Dunkirk Republican Kevin Muldowney leads Democratic challenger Marcus Buchanon in District-One by 10 votes... 721-711. In the immediate Jamestown-area... Republican newcomer Phil Landy defeated Democrat Billy Torres, 571-481. Republican Jamie Gustafson won in District 10 over Julie Jackson-Forsberg. In District 11... Republican Dave Wilfong won over Democrat Bob Whitney. Former Legislator Fred Larson won back a seat... as the Democrat defeated District 12 Repubican Elisabeth Rankin. In District 13... Democrat Tom Nelson held onto his seat over Republican Joe Tickle, 391-325. Republican Lisa Vanstrom won handily over Democrat Kurt Gustason.
Bowman wins Ellicott Supervisor's race...
Among the key town races... Republicans kept a hold of the supervisor's seat and the town board in Ellicott. Incumbant Janet Bowman won over Democratic challenger Todd Beckerink, 977-822. Republicans also won three of the four town council seats... with only Democrat Jim Rensel winning in Ward-One.
City fire officials still investigating origins of three fires that broke out within minutes of each other...
Two condemned homes... and a car and one side of a home were damaged during three separate fires in the city of Jamestown late Tuesday morning. City Fire Battlion Chief Shawn Shilling says crews were initially called to a Barrett Avenue home on the southside to deal with the vehicle fire -- which had begun spreading to the nearby home... shortly before 10:30 a.m. Shilling says the car was fully-involved in flames. However... they got the blaze under control fairly quickly. He says they then learned about the second fire at 49 Broadhead Ave., and sent a crew there. However... firefighters soon learned of the second fire on Broadhead at another condemned home at 55 Broadhead. Shilling says a full off-duty shift of 12 firefighters was called in to deal with the three different scenes. He says crews were at the Barrett Avenue location until about Noon... while firefighters were at 49 and 55 Broadhead until about 2:30 p.m. No injuries were reported... and, the cause of all three fires are under investigation.
Whitaker says no one was hurt, and no weapons were involved in JHS cafeteria fight...
There were "no weapons... no injuries... and no blood" during that large fight late Tuesday morning in the cafeteria at Jamestown High School. That from School Superintendent Kevin Whitaker... who says there was an argument that broke out between two students that led to the fight. Whitaker says it escalated to a few students on each side... but, he says staff and security were able to get them separated quickly. Dr. Whitaker says it was a 'highly personal matter' that apparently triggered the initial confrontation. A statement issued Tuesday said 'maximum disciplinary action' would be pursued against those involved. Whitaker says he's also "concerned" about the amount of misinformation that circulated through the community after the altercation. He says the district will always act "to keep kids as safe as we can keep them." As for the massive police response to JHS after the first call... Whitaker said it was appropriate for additional backup to be summoned just in case it would have been needed.
