Two Olean aldermen not seeking re-election; Bennion seeks another term in Ward 1

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

OLEAN — Two Olean aldermen aren’t seeking re-election in the fall, while a third incumbent will seek another two-year term on the Common Council.

Lawrence Bennion Jr., R-Ward 1, has filed nominating petitions with the Cattaraugus County Board of Elections for re-election on the Republican and Conservative party lines. He is unopposed.

Ward 3 Alderwoman Jennifer Forney, a Republican and Ward 5 Alderman John Crawford, a Democrat, are not seeking re-election. Crawford recently began a new job and often attends via video conference.

There will be a contest to succeed Forney in Ward 3. Democrat Gloria Rosenthal and Republican Balazs Busznyk have filed nominating petitions for the seat.

And in Ward 5, Anne Marie Sitter-Tompkins is unopposed on the Democrat and Working Families party lines.

In the City of Salamanca, Mayor Sandra L. Magiera filed petitions for re-election on the Democrat line.

A former mayor, Michael “Smitty” Smith, has vowed to run against Magiera on an independent line in November. Independent nominating petitions may begin circulating on April 14, and must be filed by May 26.

All members of the Common Council are seeking re-election with the exception of John A. Hill in Ward 1.

The five candidates are:

Ward 1 – Maureen Puvel, R.

Ward 2 – Kylee Johnson, D.

Ward 3 – Barry Smith, R.

Ward 4 – Michael Reed, D.

Ward 5 – Paul Myers, D.

County and town candidates will be published soon on the Olean Star website.