In Tuesday’s Republican primary election for treasurer in Allegany County, deputy treasurer Jenna Kelley and former county legislator Adam B. Cyr face each other for the nomination.

Kelley has served the past 12 years as deputy treasurer and the past eight years as West Almond town tax collector.

Cyr is a business owner and served as a legislator representing the county’s District III after being elected in 2021. His seat was vacated by the county Board of Legislators early this year after he moved from Bolivar to the town of Andover, which is in Legislature District IV.

County lawmakers cited Section 30 of the New York State Public Officer’s Law and an Allegany County local law that indicates legislators who change their addresses to outside a legislative district vacate their positions. Cyr alleges his seat was vacated in retaliation for his no votes on some matters and for announcing his run for treasurer against the wishes of the Allegany County GOP — all 15 members of the county legislature are Republican.

The longtime county treasurer, Teri Ross, who will have served six terms at the end of this year as she retires, is backing her deputy to succeed her.

KELLEY TOUTS EXPERIENCE

Kelley declared herself the best candidate for the role, “backed by experience, a deep understanding of governmental financial management and a firm commitment to serving our county.”

With more than a decade of working in government finance, she said her career has been dedicated to mastering the intricacies of fiscal responsibility and transparent accounting practices.

“I have worked with county officials to ensure that taxpayer dollars are managed wisely and effectively,” Kelley said. “My track record speaks for itself — Allegany County has developed strategies that prioritize the safety of funds, liquidity to meet financial obligations and yield to generate supplementary revenue.”

While Cyr “may have skills in other areas,” Kelley said he lacks any relevant financial government experience that would prepare him for the complexities of the treasurer’s office.

“The role of county treasurer demands a specific understanding of public finance and accountability that he does not possess,” she said. “Entrusting our county’s finances to someone without this experience could jeopardize our county’s financial stability and growth.”

Kelley stresses the significance of maintaining financial stability, noting a strong financial position allows the county to invest in services, infrastructure and development projects.

“My primary goal is to ensure the financial stability of our county,” she said. “In a landscape where financial regulations and fiscal responsibilities are increasingly complex, leveraging outside expertise has become a crucial strategy. Collaborating with specialized firms allows us to tap into targeted knowledge and skills that bolster our financial management efforts.”

By engaging with external professionals, Kelley added, the county can enhance its financial operations and responsibly govern while managing taxpayer resources.

“As county treasurer, I will prioritize transparency and accountability,” she said. “I believe that taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being spent.”

Kelley committed to providing regular reports on the county’s financial status including budget reports, expenditures and revenue collections. Her approach would include regular public reports to the Committee of Jurisdiction and an open-door policy that invites input from all county residents.

“My extensive experience in government finance, commitment to transparency and vision for growth make me the best candidate,” she said.

CYR: CHANGE IS NEEDED

Cyr said, when he served as a legislator, he witnessed how the treasurer sat in on department head meetings and gave directions on how to run county business. As treasurer, he said he would have “an experienced, trusted team” in place to run the office.

“My very first business was sealing foundation walls with tar,” he said. “I saved money, I invested and I expanded my company into a long-standing construction firm with many employees. I continued to value every dollar and I wanted to keep investing and creating new businesses like my roll-off and demolition companies while making sure employees were well compensated.”

Cyr emphasized he did not borrow to build his businesses and learned how to invest and run successful enterprises despite ever-changing tax laws and mandates for businesses in the county and New York state.

“That’s another reason for running for treasurer,” he said. “I do not want future generations to have to overcome the obstacles like I did to invest in businesses and property in Allegany County.”

Cyr acknowledged he has not been a part of the treasurer’s office, “who recently paid to receive awards from an investment company,” and he noted he’s financed my own campaign without asking for donations. He quotes Mark Twain: “I never let schooling get in the way of my education.”

“Education is important,” Cyr said, “but it should not be confined to the walls of a classroom or the structure of a broken system.”

He said he is keen to investigate several matters if elected, including why the county’s vehicles are all leased and could money be saved with alternative purchases on state bids. He also is critical of the county receiving 10%, through the treasurer’s office, of any estate that does not have a will. He states that money should go back to the family.

Cyr also asks if money could be saved by “cutting back on lawsuits against the county for unlawful tax sales. Can we stop profiting from residents and instead work with them to stay in their homes?”

He notes the county has a line item that shows $1 million in revenues each year from delinquent property tax sales — households that owe a few thousand dollars on back taxes can find their property sold by the county.

“Our neighbors, friends and families are trying to make ends meet and not lose their homes,” Cyr said. “Meanwhile, the county administrator received a $43,000 pay raise in the span of 18 months and the legislators voted to give themselves a 42% pay raise … I voted no to that.”

ANOTHER COUNTY government primary must be decided as five candidates are on the ballot to earn the GOP’s three nominations to represent District 3 on the county Board of Legislators. All 15 county legislative seats are up for election to new four-year terms this November, but only District 3 has a primary.

Candidates include Charles Bessette, Bill Dibble, Ethen T. Marble, Bill Meunier and Ricky L. Whitney. Bessette was appointed to fill a vacancy in March. Dibble previously represented the district. Whitney served as county sheriff. Meunier is a town of Independence board member and deputy supervisor.

Incumbents Debra Root and Dwight Fanton are not running for reelection.

The district includes the towns of Alma, Bolivar, Independence, Genesee, Scio, Willing and Wirt.

Town primaries include:

• Amity town Republicans will choose two nominees for town board from candidates Joshua Brown, Harold W. Mitchell, and James F. Schneider II.
• Town of Cuba Democrats — the only Democrats set to vote June 24 — will have a write-in only primary for a single town board seat nomination.
• Independence Republicans will choose two nominees for town board from candidates Kimberly R. Howe, Danielle R. Freeman, and Jane Hall.
• Willing Republicans will choose two nominees for town board from candidates Chris Perkins, Monroe Rosemier, and Roy G. Gay.