Erie county 10th District

Kevin Hardwick (R) and Michele Iannello (D)

This race prompted perhaps more debate between editorial board members than any this election year and that largely reflects well on the two candidates.

Michele Iannello has spent four years in the Erie County Legislature. While at times we’ve had our disagreements with her, she has been a thoughtful and energetic public servant.

Kevin Hardwick carries an equally high profile as a prominent academic and radio personality. Hardwick, prior to his announcing as a candidate, was the go-to political analyst for this paper (along with every other media outlet in town). He knows the local scene inside out and backward.

We found ourselves debating the difference between one candidate as a workhorse and the other as a big-picture guy. Iannello is that workhorse. Hardwick brings a real grasp of the larger problems facing our region, something all too often lacking in the legislature.

In the end, we settled on Iannello, who earns our paper’s endorsement for a third term. This decision came largely on the strength of her work with the Clean Air Coalition on Tonawanda Coke. Iannello championed the Tonawanda Coke issue well before anyone else in government or the media — back when there was no obvious political benefit — and she deserves tremendous credit for that.

If we could offer a word of caution to our endorsed candidate though, it would be this: Work on being less contentious. At times we’ve felt Iannello is distracted by petty politics — today’s news being no exception. We don’t believe she’s a racist anymore than the various other things she’s been called over the years, but defending her becomes more difficult when it appears more often than not that she’s spoiling for the fight.

Erie County 11th District

Kevin Curtin (R) and Lynn Marinelli (D)

If only Kevin Curtin were running against some of our other legislature candidates, he could have easily warranted our endorsement. Unfortunately for him, he’s running against powerhouse Legislature Chairwoman Lynn Marinelli.

We have been greatly impressed with Marinelli’s legislative record over the years and her leadership of a legislature with 15 different egos and agendas is little short of a marvel.

That so few people in politics have something bad to say about her speaks volumes.

Curtin brings a real grasp of issues and a passion for government that was immediately evident and we hope he remains an active citizen after this election.

But he’s got a mountain to climb and district residents would have to be a little batty to replace the legislature’s chairwoman with a political novice. Lynn Marinelli has served her district and all county taxpayers well and we offer a hearty endorsement of her for another term.

Erie County 14th District

Thomas Loughran (D) and Shelly Schratz (R)

The incumbent in this race, Tom Loughran, seeks his third term and faces Shelly Schratz, a woman who has made a name for herself on the Amherst Town Council.

Both candidates share some similarities. Both are Amherst restaurant owners, they share a belief that county government should be downsized and each displayed strong working knowledge of the issues in Erie County. Their approach to solving problems is where they go their separate ways.

As a town council member in Amherst, Schratz is known for her sometimes aggressive demeanor, yet she seems to get things done. Schratz pledges to be a consensus-builder, something that is sorely lacking in the battle between the Legislature and county executive.

Loughran is a likable person, but his laid-back approach seems to be a detriment. Ask town residents in his district who’s their legislator and they very well may reply Lynn Marinelli or Michele Iannello. More disconcerting is that he really doesn’t have much to show for his four-year tenure. We don’t see him as one to bring opponents together for the greater good. That’s not what Erie County needs.

Schratz would certainly rattle some cages. More importantly, her potential to lend credible opposition to the Democratic-controlled legislature while still building a consensus is vital. She could become an important tool to bridge the gap between the legislature and the county executive. We recommend Shelly Schratz in the 14th District.

Niagara County 9th District

Christopher Perna (D) and Russ Rizzo (R)

Both Christopher Perna and Russ Rizzo are seeking their first term in the Niagara County Legislature, a seat vacated earlier this year by Andrea McNulty after it became known that she was no longer actually living in her district.

Rizzo previously represented the same area for eight years on the North Tonawanda Common Council and was a well liked servant in that time.

This is Perna’s first run for political office. He boasts a Marine’s military service in Iraq, an experience that we’re certain instilled some leadership that’s sorely lacking in the Niagara County Legislature.

In evaluating both men on the issues, we found Rizzo to be, on balance, the more polished. He understands many of the problems that residents of the Ninth District are facing. He should after having represented them for two council terms.

Perna offered credible opposition. It was clear to us that his lack of experience in government hurt in some of the nuances of public policy, but he showed himself a smart and capable person who we believe could pick up the ball if given the opportunity.

We talked at length with both men about Gratwick Park. It’s an issue Rizzo remains passionate about, but we couldn’t help wondering why so little has been done despite his representing that area on the council for so long.

Russ is a likable guy, but our overwhelming feeling was that it’s time to let someone new give it a try. We think Chris Perna is that person and for that he earned our endorsement.

Niagara County 10th District

Katie Rich (D) and Peter Smolinski (R)

We beat up Pete Smolinski pretty good two years ago, though he earned our endorsement based largely on the quality of his opposition.

This time around, Smolinski has again drawn an opponent who unfortunately isn’t up to the task of being a Niagara County legislator — though we’re pleased to report many of Smolinski’s more irksome habits have waned over the last two years.

We once chided Smolinski as a publicity hound and it appears as though he took our advice to heart. He no longer badgers members of this paper’s editorial staff and over the last two years has only spoken when it seems appropriate. For that, we’re grateful.

Katie Rich is a young candidate and we appreciate her enthusiasm for government. On the issues, however, we found her knowledge to be sorely lacking. She spoke during her interview in vague and general terms about lowering taxes and creating more accountability, but when pressed had nothing to offer about how that could be done. We can’t in good conscience endorse someone whose knowledge of the many issues before county government weren’t up to par.

We strongly recommend voters in North Tonawanda’s 10th District to stick with Smolinski.

Niagara County 11th District

Paul Wojtaszek (R) unopposed

Democrats failed to field a candidate in this race, so we will offer no endorsement.