Susan Parker

A Chautauqua County legislator is resigning, effective Monday. Susan Parker, in a letter to Olivia Lee, clerk of the legislature, submitted the letter on Wednesday — the same day she attended her final Legislature meeting.

“I am grateful to my constituents for electing me to serve District 4 in the village of Fredonia, the town of Pomfret, and the city of Dunkirk,” she wrote. “It has been a privilege to work hard with others for District 4 residents and the county over these past three years to affect positive change in our county.”

During her three years in the seat, Parker has been one of the most vocal and active legislators in the county. She has been front-and-center on the controversial issue of water in the village of Fredonia while also working on a Complete Streets project for Main Street in Fredonia as well as Central Avenue — as part of the Central Connection initiative that includes the city, village and State University of New York.

She also, unsuccessfully, fought against a 64% pay increase for county legislators that will go into effect in 2026. More recently, she and other Democratic legislators sought to put $2 million of the nearly $40 million in county reserves toward the tax levy to assist property owners. That also was voted down by the Republican majority.

“I also want to express gratitude to our county employees for their continuing hard work on behalf of our county residents and taxpayers. Thank you too to my fellow legislators, especially the members of the Democratic Caucus, for all their good work on behalf of the residents of individual districts and our county,” Parker wrote.

Legislator Bob Bankoski, who represents Dunkirk and is the minority leader, said Parker’s efforts will be “greatly missed.”

“Susan was a very dedicated Legislator; she was never shy to ask the tough questions and always did her research on issues that she felt she wanted to take a stand on,” he said. “She had no problem representing all county residents, not just those in her district. Politics is not a career job; and everyone knows when their time is up.”

Democrats are already eyeing potential candidates for the seat. “I wish the best for my fellow legislators; and hope that my resignation will allow a new legislator to be in place and representing District 4 in December and ahead of the 2025 fiscal year,” Parker said. “Finally, thank you, Olivia, and Ms. Kristi Zink for your work and kind consideration during my time as a legislator.”