Harris, Demick, and Havey react to endorsement by Republican caucus
By Andrew Harris, pictured is the 2024 Allegany County Legislature
In Allegany County, the county is controlled by a monolith of Republican elected officials. Every legislator and political leader is a Republican, which means the caucus is king.
What is a party caucus?
The League of Woman Voters defines as, “meetings run by political parties that are held at the county, district, or precinct level.” These meetings are not open to the public and open meeting laws do not apply.
Last month the Allegany County Republicans held their annual leadership caucus and voted to approve the status quo for 2025 with Chairman W. Brooke Harris, Vice-Chair Fred Demick, and Majority Leader Steven Havey. Allegany County has no Minority Leader as in state and national legislative bodies because there is no minority elected to the legislature.
The re-election of the 2023 and 2024 slate of leaders was not a surprise. Outside of normal debate over issues that are presented to the legislature, this administration has been effective and without turmoil.
We asked Majority Leader Steven Havey from District 4 (Wellsville/Andover,) why he believes the party caucus has voted with continued support:
“As Legislators we serve our constituents. If they are not pleased with our performance, we are replaced. It is the same with the position of Majority Leader. It appears that my fellow Legislators are satisfied with my service to them, since they have nominated me for that position for 2025. It is my honor and pleasure to have their support.”
Kevin “Fred” Demick has been chosen to serve as the Vice-Chairman of the legislature. He had this to say about continuing the role and the work of 2025:
“Once again, I greatly appreciate the Legislative Board’s continued support & confidence in me to continue as their Vice-Chair in 2025. I look forward to continue working with Chairman Brooke Harris & Majority Leader Steve Havey as well as the entire Legislative Board.
In 2024, we continued to work on addressing the many needs within Allegany County. This has included working with the many Professional Consultant studies done in the prior year to help with research and our planning for moving forward. In 2024, we have been working to implement many need changes to include a new Economic Development Dept, a much-needed new Office of Emergency Services Law, and continuing to work on the much-needed EMS Initiative with hopes of having this begin by spring of 2025. We have also continued with supporting our infrastructure with the continued replacement of our local bridges with the Counties Town & County Bridge program as well as continuing our Bridge-NY Grant funding success with establishing over $14 million in funding in 2024 and are in the process now for the 2025 funding. We are continuing to move forward with many of these projects in 2024 and into 2025 that will benefit all of Allegany County for a much better-quality of life in our future.
I would like to thank the professional and dedicated employees that we look to and continue to help implement the many projects & studies we’ve put together and working on in 2024 and to push these projects into 2025. These dedicated employees include but certainly not limited to our Legislators, Administration staff, department heads as well as the entire County workforce. We all look forward to working hard for the people of Allegany County so you can be proud to have the best place to live, visit & work.”
W. Brooke Harris will begin his third legislative session as the Chairman of the Legislature. The District 5(Alfred) leader answered a few questions about the work of 2024 and goals for 2025:
Sun: What was the single biggest accomplishment in 2024?
Chairman Harris: At the beginning of this term (January, 2022), the Board identified three primary focuses: EMS, Economic Development, and continued focus on public works. I think we’ve done well to address these priorities. We’ve restructured the Emergency Management Office, assessed our EMS strengths and weaknesses, supported the County EMS structure financially and technically, and developed a solid strategy to ensure continued resources in the future. In economic development, we’ve approved a five-year strategic plan and are focusing resources on building a department that can implement that plan. In public works, we’ve secured multiple grants to support both as needed facility upgrade and expanded infrastructure at the “Gateway” (AKA Crossroads). Work has begun on the new County Road 51, which will provide access to developers at that site.
Sun: What was the biggest disappointment of 2024 ?
Chairman Harris: Like everything we do, the length of time it takes to implement these goals is too long. We’re only this month, years after targeting the goal, passing a local law to create the title of Director of Emergency Management. In 2022, the Board and administration set a goal to apply for and receive a county-wide “Certificate of Need” to give us the ability to better support our EMS structure. That still hasn’t happened. Further, state and federal funding awards that support Board objectives take years to secure.
Sun: Describe the goals for 2025 in as much detail as possible.
Chairman Harris: 2025 will be the last year in this Board’s term, so we’ll focus on completing the goals listed above and putting the County in a sound financial position for the incoming Board.
Sun: What is the most urgent matter currently on the agenda?
Chairman Harris: My biggest concern is long-term financial position of the County. We’ve targeted some big and expensive projects that will require significant funding. Sales tax appears to be leveling off from the post-covid boom. Property values, while rising, are not keeping pace with increased county costs. Inflation continually outpaces the statutory tax cap. My fear is that if we don’t start doing a better job of prioritizing projects and securing outside funding, we’ll need to prioritize which services we want to continue supporting.
