User:Littleelephant/Greg Edwards

Gregory J. Edwards (born 1960) is the Chautauqua County Executive in New York State. Edwards, 49, was born in Panama, New York in September 1960 to second-generation dairy farmers. Greg was 14 at the time when his parents took over his grandfather’s dairy farm. Greg’s mother then became the physical education teacher at Panama High School.

Greg spent his high school years working on his family's dairy farm. He graduated Panama High School in 1978 and then went to Allegany College in Pennsylvania. He spent 4 years on the football team (Division III) as a backup linebacker, tackle, and special teams player. He graduated in 1982 with his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Upon graduation from college, Greg took a job on the outskirts of Pittsburgh as a salesman for a steel plant. A year and a half later, he answered the age-old call and returned home to the family farm in Panama, New York. He went to work full time on the farm – milking cows and tending the land.

In 1986 he graduated Toledo Law School and was admitted to the [New York State Bar] in 1987. Right out of law school he went to work as an Associate for a small law firm – Erickson, Webb, Scolton – in Jamestown, New York. In 1991, he became a partner at the law firm Lodestro, Cass, Vanstrom and Edwards. Greg has been married to Carrie Wilson since 1990. They have three children and live in Jamestown, NY.

2005 and 2009 Campaigns for Chautauqua County Executive
In 2004, the local Republican Party asked Greg to run for County Executive against a two-term incumbent. Greg won election to his first term in 2005, defeating Democrat Mark Thomas 52%-42%.

Edwards handily won re-election in 2009, defeating Democrat Chuck Cornell 65%-35%.

Record as County Executive
Greg Edwards has been said to run the county government like a business.

During his first term he:


 * Reduced property taxes every year despite reduction in sales taxes, increased demands by New York State, and increases in the cost of delivering services.
 * Spearheaded creative economic development initiatives that have produced significant revenue for Chautauqua County.
 * Increased the bond rating to A+
 * Increase economic development and improve services for our veterans, and seniors.
 * Made government more accountable and efficient.
 * Secured the financial future of our County by hiring talented leaders, making employees accountable, and bringing private sector business principles to County operations.
 * Paid past due bills, invested in savings, and set aside the money necessary to pay our long term obligations.

Selection as Candidate for Lieutenant Governor
On May 19, 2010 the Associated Press reported Rick Lazio's selection of Greg Edwards as his running mate in his campaign for Governor of New York State.