Jeffery Ormsby was appointed in June, and elected in November 2022
Gregory Day appointed to fill the vacancy
By Andrew Harris
The fifth seat on the Wellsville town board had been vacant for most of 2022 after the resignation of William Fish in late 2021. County Republican leadership attempted to compell the board to fill the seat with Ormsby in March 2021 but were “rebuffed” by the town. Eventually Ormsby was appointed to the board in June but on the condition that he win the primary election. Running unopposed in that election, Ormsby became an appointed board member and then was elected in the general election on November 8. That term of office, set to begin on January 1st, has been abandoned by Ormsby before it begain.
After forty days on the board, Ormsby has resigned with this letter explaining why:
“Unfortunately for the board I am resigning my position as councilman effective December 1st, 2022. I have moved out of town and can no longer responsibly represent the residence. I would like to thank everyone for the support, guidance, and wish the best moving forward.
Sincerely, Jeffrey S. Ormsby “
Town Supervisor Shad Alsworth indicated that the sudden change of plans was frustrating but he, “understands and accepts his personal decision.”
Alsworth also noted that the board has agreed to immediately fill the new vacancy with a well-known and politically active local. Also a long time volunteer fireman, Greg Day has been appointed by the board to serve until December 31, 2023. A new election will be held in November of 2023 for the open seat, of which Day must petition voters to get on the ballot.
Alsworth was bullish on the boards action to both fill the seat and with the choice of Day as a new board member:
“Greg came forward with interest in serving on the board and he has experience in running for office. He’s a volunteer firefighter and has been active in the community his whole life. He’s a conservative man and I think he will do a good job for the town.”
Day has been a student of local politics for sometime, and is no stranger to the issues facing the town. Greg is a village resident, a leader in his volunteer fire department, and also well aware of the dynamics between the town and village of Wellsville. Day had this to say about the appointed to the town board:
“I am happy to have been appointed by the board to serve the town of Wellsville. I’ve lived here all my life and this is a great chance to work toward a better future.”
Read our previous reporting on the fifth board seat in the Town of Wellsville, which hasn’t had an elected official since September 20, 2021.
