Early voting opens this Saturday October 26
By Andrew Harris
The election for Village of Wellsville mayor is just ten days away and despite all the trappings of a robust and contentious contest, the best way to describe this political race is “ho-hum.”
Our reader poll, imperfect as it might be, has consistently shown incumbent Mayor Randy Shayler with a supermajority of support. The last week of responses show his support well over 70% while challenger Marshall Green has dwindled to about 20% of responses. Write in candidate Cory McAbeir and some colorful suggested candidates have hovered around 10% of support.
The expected yard sign war has never happened. The list of controversial issues surrounding this election have failed to result in any sustained public debate. Green promises a more open form of village government that focuses on community becoming more involved in decision making. Shayler makes his record of running local government like a business a clear indicator of what his third term will look like.
The only real debate was during the in-person October 10 debate where the candidates did some policy talk and traded a few barbs.
Shayler has operated with almost no campaigning or indication that his re-election is in danger.
The challenger, Marshall Green has done some limited outreach to voters and recently held an open townhall meeting which he described as a, “small crowd.”
No letters of support, endorsements; typical community election behavior is non-exisitent. The only normal thing about this election for mayor of the largest population in Allegany County is the Rotary Club is putting on a pancake breakfast.
Our reader poll has been reset and we encourage everyone to vote before our final reporting next week.
We will accept and publish statements from Village of Wellsville Mayor candidates or endorsements from supporters through Friday November 1st.
