Published: December 03, 2006 12:12 am            

Andrews: Ambassador for Niagara

NIAGARA FALLS — Niagara County politicians were represented by one of their own in New York City

last week.

County Legislator Kyle Andrews, 26, who holds the distinction of being New York’s youngest county lawmaker, spoke about his experiences as a young elected official at a panel in front of government students and alumni at the Columbia University Club of New York.

“I talked about the overall experience of running for office at a young age,” said Andrews, who was installed in 2001 at age 21. “The most generic advice was don’t be shy about running for political office but don’t forget what put you there.”

Andrews believes that when voters choose younger candidates, they expect more enthusiasm than usual and also expect change.

“I think that the expectations are there,” he said.

The Columbia Club is located in midtown Manhattan, away from campus, and hosts lectures and round-table discussions.

Andrews is part of the 19-seat Legislature’s five-member Democratic minority. He tried to explain to the audience that there are actually 10 Democrats in the Legislature but admitted the party affiliation situation is confusing to outsiders.

“Party structure: It’s an important part of the political structure but you can’t let it own you,” he said. “You’re more effective when you are rational enough to listen. ... It’s good to position yourself (as) approachable to the other side.”

Other panelists included New York City Councilmember Jessica Lappin, 31; Rockland County Legislator David Fried, 27; and Jersey City, N.J., Councilman Steven Fulop, 29.

•••

It looks as if the race to succeed Glenn Aronow is a one-man contest.

As of Friday afternoon, the clerk of the Legislature had received just one application — from William Keith McNall — to fill the departing Aronow’s seat.

The deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday.

•••

It may be called the Public Health Department, but staffers who work out of the Shaw Building in Lockport got a lesson in less-than-healthful working conditions last week.

Though the county has expressed interest in vacating the building altogether, carpets thought to be more than 25 years old are being replaced.

Deputy Public Health Director Daniel Stapleton said the dust created by the renovations caused him to call in sick last week.

“There isn’t a lot of money spent on frills in the Health Department,” Stapleton said.

        

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