When Gov. George Pataki announced he would not be seeking another term, state Sen. Michael Nozzolio had a front row seat.

Pataki invited Nozzolio, R-Fayette, to a news conference Wednesday to announce his decision to end his gubernatorial term. But the three-term governor didn't address whether his future plans would involve a run for president.

"It was a bittersweet day for this announcement," Nozzolio said.

He and other state and local officials fondly recalled Pataki's political legacy and many trips to the Finger Lakes during his tenure.

"He's been a great partner time and time again," Nozzolio said.

Nozzolio and Pataki have served together in several public arenas, including the state Assembly and Senate. But Pataki's decision didn't come as much of a surprise to Nozzolio.

"He's had three very successful terms," Nozzolio said. "It's difficult for a chief executive to continue momentum much beyond that."

While Pataki has been in office, he frequently visited the Finger Lakes, including a visit to Aurelius last year to open Bass Pro Shops at the Fingerlakes Mall.

"You could count the visits of the former governor (Mario Cuomo) on one hand," Nozzolio said. "But you need a calculator to keep track of Governor Pataki's visits here."

One of Pataki's most recent Finger Lakes visits was to Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars in Lodi to sign a bill authorizing interstate wine shipments. Even though speculation about Pataki's future political aspirations was a hot topic at the time, Assemblyman Bob Oaks chose not to linger on that topic when speaking to Pataki.

"None of us pushed him on this decision," Oaks said. "He gave no indication he wasn't running. I came away from that thinking he may run (again)."

Now that Pataki has made his decision public, Oaks said the state Republican party needs to shift its focus in the weeks and months ahead.

"The Republicans are going to have to work hard now at focusing on who might be legitimate candidates," Oaks said.

State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has already emerged as the probable Democratic candidate for governor in 2006.

"He is the person we need to move New York state forward. He's proven himself as a reformer," said state Sen. David Valesky, D-Oneida, who endorsed Spitzer shortly after the attorney general announced his intention to run for governor.

But the spotlight Wednesday belonged to Pataki. Local officials spoke of how the governor influenced their careers.

When Assemblyman Brian Kolb had been contemplating a run for the congressional seat vacated by the retiring Amo Houghton, Pataki called Kolb personally to ask if he would reconsider. Pataki said he felt Kolb's leadership was needed in the Assembly, Kolb said.

Kolb, R-Canandaigua, doesn't regret his decision to seek re-election in the Assembly, but he will always remember Pataki's phone call.

"I was more flattered than surprised," he said. "Whenever the governor in one of the largest states reaches out to you, it's flattering for him to even speak to me."

During the time they have worked together in Albany, Kolb has been impressed with Pataki's ability to serve all parts of the state.

"In public office, the governor has the tremendous job of balancing upstate and downstate interests," Kolb said. "To try to balance them and make everyone happy is an impossible job."

Pataki's actions as governor have helped locally as well, even if they didn't involve personal phone calls. Cayuga County Legislature Chairman Herb Marshall praised Pataki on his commitment to helping reform Medicaid, which is the biggest state mandate in many counties.

"It's the first time anyone has shown any interest in at least going in the right direction on Medicaid," Marshall said.

Staff writer Liz Hacken can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267

or elizabeth.hacken@lee.net