Elmira mayoral candidate John Tonello on Thursday called on Elmira and Chemung County leaders to urge Governor Pataki and state lawmakers to renew New York Power Authority contracts that help preserve jobs at Anchor Glass and other key area employers.

"The prospect of suddenly losing low-cost power would devastate our local economy," Tonello said. "Many Elmirans rely on jobs made possible by discounted power. We need to make our voices heard."

Any manufacturing operation is heavily impacted by utility rates, Tonello said, and Elmira, Chemung County, and other Upstate businesses suffer because of the high cost of power. Anchor Glass officials said Wednesday the end of discounted power could spell the end to its Elmira Heights operation, which employs 400.

"The state is not helping our efforts to lure business, add jobs, revitalize downtown, and grow Elmira if it allows discounted power to go away," Tonello said.