Document:New York Chautauqua County Press Release 17 May 2021 Gerrit Cain Launches Campaign for County Legislator

The Chautauqua County Libertarian Party is proud to announce that Gerrit Cain will be again be running for District 16 County Legislator, representing the towns of Poland, Carroll, and Kiantone.

Cain says his campaign will focus on the following issues:

Standing up to unconstitutional State lockdown, mask, and vaccine mandates through legislative resolution as well as non-enforcement nullification.  Similar to what Chautauqua and other WNY Counties have been doing with provisions of the SAFE Act.  We should resolve not to enforce, prosecute, or otherwise support Albany’s dictatorial orders that immorally shutdown or restrict our schools, businesses, healthcare, eldercare, and places of worship.  Local residents, business owners, and church leaders should be trusted to gather information and make informed decisions regarding how to best operate safely during this and future disease outbreaks.  Public opinion and social pressures will lead to quicker and better localized adaptions during these types of events than heavy-handed central government mandates with devastating unintended consequences.

No more County Budgets that raise your taxes, and no more sales tax increases EVER.  No more wage increases for county employees or managers until we fully return to “normal”.  I don’t care if the budget raises your taxes the price of a coffee or a Cadillac; I’ll vote NO.

Introduce or support a resolution to prevent the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency from giving industrial solar companies huge property tax breaks in the form of PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) Agreements.  Industrial solar and other “green energy” businesses are stuffed with State and Federal incentives and subsidies (your tax money).  This corporate welfare confounds the market-based valuation of such industries.  Additionally, cost-benefit of the amount of “dirty energy” in the form of manufacturing, transport, installation, maintenance, and eventual decommissioning required for these projects are largely overlooked.  I am in support of the rights of private property owners to build or partner with energy producers.  I am not in support of further government subsidies at the County level for any type energy production.

I will oppose the creation of a Chautauqua Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District and support any efforts to dissolve the associated Agency.  Likewise, I will strive to get County Government out of the business of managing Chautauqua Lake.  The old adage, “Too many cooks in the kitchen spoils the pot” certainly holds true when it comes to managing Chautauqua Lake.  The NY DEC, for better or worse, is the central managing agency for Chautauqua Lake.  Lakeshore property owners, multiple interest groups, and the municipal leaders of the towns and villages on the lake can work together with the DEC for the best care and management of the lake. None of these groups should receive county funding. There will likely be different strategies, disagreements, and even lawsuits, but that’s what will lead to the best overall quality for the most groups.

There will be a campaign launch/meet-the-candidate event on May 24th from 4pm-7pm at Anthony’s Supper Club, 174 Ivory St., Frewsburg.  Food and drinks provided.

Contact: Gerrit Cain (616) 970-6480, caingerrit@hotmail.com, https://www.facebook.com/ElectGerritCain