By Darlene Mae Nowell O’Connor
I remember when I met Jamestown’s Mayor, Eddie Sundquist for the first time. I had come home for the first time in 24 years having been living in Florida and raising my now adult sons. I returned just prior to the lifting of COVID restrictions and I was just starting to write for The Villager. We had been given a casual introduction and shook hands at the Turn the River Green event, celebrating Saint Patricks’ Day in 2021. Though our encounter was brief and few words were exchanged between us, I recall immediately having a sense of his sincere and positive nature. I recall being surprised by how comfortable he was to be in his own skin and how he did not present with an eminence front.
Eddie Sundquist
A few weeks later, I was covering an educational event hosted by Marty Schwab at the Beer Snob and the mayor was a member of the panel. The Marijuana Grow Industry Council was seeking to educate the public with regard to the positive impact that moving into an era of legalization could potentially have on our community. Upon completion of the Q & A session, the mayor and I were able to engage in a real dialogue and I remember thinking how refreshing he was. Having not yet decided to move back to Jamestown permanently and not having any skin in the Jamestown political game, there was no reason for him to curry my favor, but he was interested in my thoughts and political perspective just the same. That is when I dubbed him Coach Eddie, because that is who he is and how he leads. Not motivated simply by the idea of attaining support to forward a personal political agenda, he is genuinely interested in the ideas and perspectives of thoughtful people and he looks out for the whole team: “Team Jamestown”.
After a few trips back to Florida, I realized my sons were doing really well with their busy lives and they deserved to move into their adulthood without me hovering over them, so I made the decision to re-establish my residency here. Once I made the switch, it was time to start attending open city council meetings to learn what our leaders in government thought would be the city’s best step forward. Quickly it became apparent that the younger 30 and 40 something individuals were the innovators who actively participate in successful businesses. They practice ethically and with concern for the socio-political, environmental and economic stability of the city and for its residents today and into the future. Not surprisingly, they are vocal supporters of the “Coach”. Developmental planning must be based on inclusion of the populous with a bent that leans into the greater available assets. Southwestern New York has been slow in the past and in terms of critical infrastructure planning and economic development, to elevate our city’s appeal as a tourist destination. Eddie has always sought to promote the rich Arts and Music culture engrained in the fabric of our community. As someone who tries to keep up with it all and with all those who contribute to it, I can honestly say his plan is working, as it is challenging to stay on top of all the fantastic artists and cultural events.
Initiatives like the Support a Safer Jamestown can be attributed to “Coach Eddie”. He is always seeking out training and programs offered by New York State and often finds funding to offset local short-falls in staffing and real dollars. While most cities our size have an ombudsman, a mayor and often a city manager to juggle the numerous tasks Eddie shoulders, often with minimal staffing and I don’t think that he has ever had an office of the Ombudsman, in his years as sitting mayor. Eddie seeks resolutions for the problematic issues we struggle with today and in many instances, it is decisions that were made years ago, some while I interned at the DOD (Department of Development) and later in the office of the ombudsman, that are directly responsible for many of the unpleasant issues we struggle with today. And to think anyone would oppose increasing the number of Fire Fighters or any First Responders in a city, with more empty, dilapidating factories that pose a heightened risk of arson per capita than almost any city throughout the state. Instead of beating the dead horse, Eddie found us the Support a Safer Jamestown initiative and had our city grants writer get to work. While others on the council sweat the small stuff like will we be able to pay for them in three years, Eddie got busy and found a way. He is also responsible for finding ways to provide for better parks and neighborhoods and collaborates with not for profits and private investors to get them working together in efforts to find solutions. I have so much more to share with our involved and serious readers, but my space is already over full and it will have to be for a future issue.
A final note, someone asked me once why I go to city council meetings when I can. My response was to ask, “why don’t you?”. It is our city and the council and the mayor should not have to find and execute every solution for every problem. It is time to get off your laurels, get educated and participate.
I want to say thanks to “Coach Eddie”, for taking the darts thrown at you out of care about your constituents and our Renaissance City. I think you rock and you have my respect and regard.