By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
Over the weekend, Mayor Bill Aiello formally announced his re-election campaign on the Lincoln Party line.
The three-term mayor was defeated in the Republican primary in June by Amy Sherburne, an Olean businesswoman who was endorsed by city Democrats.
Aiello decided to run on the Lincoln Partry line after losing the GOP primary and Sherburne added a third line, the independent Common Sense Party. He had sought the Conservative Party endorsement as well, but thanks to a miscommunication, the party missed the date to get Aiello on the ballot.
Local political pundits agree the mayor has an uphill climb for this re-election bid — particularly because his opponent is on both major party lines.
“It has been a privilege and honor to represent Olean as Mayor for 12 years and I am looking forward to one final term to complete the job I started,” Aiello wrote in a statement sent under the Lincoln Party banner.
“Although I was disappointed in the results of the Republican primary, I received plenty of encouragement to stay in the race and give it my all. I love a challenge and promise to prove I am the best candidate for the job,” he said.
“Experience counts and over the past 12 years, I have led the city’s 200 plus employees and successfully negotiated numerous contracts for the four City unions,” Aiello said.
“I have made difficult decisions that were important to the safety and welfare of our residents. I have made connections throughout the state and have worked with anyone who wanted to do business with or in the City of Olean,” Aiello said.
“My focus has always been on the future of Olean, working to build a city in which our children and grandchildren want to live, work and play. With that in mind, during my tenure Olean has been successful in receiving grants that have reinvigorated our parks and downtown district and have tackled our aging infrastructure,” Aiello added.
“Like the rest of the rust belt, Olean has suffered decline but that has not undermined us from rising from the ashes and looking to the future. In the past 12 years we have seen development in the Brownfields that laid barren for decades and we have seen the First National become a bright light as opposed to an eyesore. We have unfortunately seen industries leave our great city, but we have welcomed new ones and will continue our quest for new opportunities to locate in Olean,” Aiello said.
“Just like other communities throughout our state, and nation for that matter, Olean has been plagued by homelessness, drug addiction and mental illness. I am working with our police and fire departments, Cattaraugus County, numerous agencies throughout the County and the religious community to find a way to help those who are struggling with these issues to get shelter and the help that they need,” Aiello said.
Aiello said experience sets him apart from his opponent, including 50 years of public service in the Olean Police Department, Cattaraugus County Legislature and 12 years as mayor.
Statewide, Aiello said he has been active in the New York State Conference of Mayors, where he was elected president this year.
“I want to thank Olean residents for their support over the past 12 years, and I look forward to their continued support for four more years,” said Aiello.
The election is Nov. 4,and early voting is from Oct. 25, through Nov. 2.
