By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
In the two weeks since her mayor election victory, Olean Mayor-elect Amy Sherburne has been meeting people and speaking with advisors about her vision of the city over the next four years.
As an example of the people she’s been meeting, former Assemblyman Joseph Giglio and Cattaraugus County Republican Party Chairman Mark Heberling spoke with the mayor-elect at Rocketcup Coffee on West State Street for more than an hour on Monday
She’s continued to speak with city aldermen, but as of Monday afternoon hadn’t heard from Mayor Bill Aiello. Sherburne said she sent an email to the mayor on Friday suggesting a meeting to begin the transition and hopes to hear from him soon.
Sherburne wants to not only meet with the mayor, but with department heads, to get caught up on city operations. She has been attending Common Council meetings for the better part of a year and is aware of public issues facing the next mayor. A businesswoman, she wants to review the city budget to identify areas for possible improvements.
Sherburne also wants to get a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities the city is facing when she prepares her first State of the City Address in January. She promises an interesting speech.
Sherburne won the Republican mayoral primary and was endorsed by Democrats. Aiello faced an uphill battle for re-election for a fourth term on the independent Lincoln Party line. Sherburne’s battle cry was “It;s time for a change.”
So far, Sherburne continues to look at the big picture with plans to narrow her focus on certain issues as she prepares to step into the city’s top job. She’s looking forward to the transition, but needs to know more about city operations.
The mayor-elect is meeting and listening to people as she develops a transition team. “I’m meeting with the right people and honing my skills as a business leader to what it will be to head the city,” she said in an interview with the Olean Star.
“I guess I haven’t made any decisions yet to formally announce who would be the people with me,” Sherburne said. It’s too preliminary. I’m working on that plan.”
Several people who recognized her in the coffee shop came over to congratulate her and wish her well.
Sherburne isn’t ready to say who her advisors are or who might be on her transition team. “It’s very important to listen to people around me who have good judgement. They re proven leader in their own right and respect this position and how important it really is. I think that people in the city would feel some reassurance that I have reached out to people that I know and trusted.”
Sherburne plans to be a business advocate. “The opportunity for business here is great,” she said of Olean. She’s ready to help someone start a business or expand an existing business.
Sherburne is particularly excited by a new group dedicated to encouraging entrepreneurs, the Cattalyst Collective. Its job is to promote small business in the county. It received $1 million in seed money from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation of WNY. Some Olean businesses — new and existing — will surely benefit, she said.
What priorities is the mayor-elect looking at for the new year?
Sherburne wants to make sure the city gets it right when it comes to the design of the West State Street project for which it got $25 million to rebuild the roadway and infrastructure from North/South Union Street to St. Bonaventure University.
Specifically, she wants to mitigate disruptions to West State Street businesses during construction. When its completed, the project should not impede access to businesses. She wants to make sure bike lanes are incorporated and sees the project as an opportunity to make it easier for St. Bonaventure students to get to Downtown Olean.
Sherburne also wants to help bring about “a resurgence of our quality of life. I want people to feel successful. I hope to make it easier to walk in their neighborhoods.” She also wants to encourage new businesses and industry.
Sherburne recognizes and supports the city’s efforts to revitalize parks, but as a businesswoman, she’s looking for some way to generate much-needed revenue without raising taxes.
