Teresi at two-day NYCOM Board of Directors meeting...
The New York Conference of Mayors board of directors are meeting through Saturday to review the 2014 state legislative session... and, begin looking at legislation they'll lobby for in 2015. That from Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi... who is a past president of NYCOM... and, with that sits on the conference's board. Teresi says the two-days of board meetings are being held in Skaneatles -- near Syracuse. Teresi says NYCOM members were pleased the state again had an on-time budget this year. However... he says there are other areas where state lawmakers came up short. But... Teresi adds that mandate relief can't be a one-size fits all proposition. He says the state needs to "get realistic." However... local governments and schools need to work together to bring the change that's needed. Teresi says they're also trying to nail down final details of the state's 2-year property tax freeze... which is designed to have local governments work together to consolidate or share services to save money. In the second year of the freeze... municipalities need to document progress in that area to qualify residents for the property tax rebates. Teresi made his comments for this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program.
State Pension fund reaches record level of just over $180-billion...
New York's pension fund for state and local government workers has reached a record high of $180.7-billion... with a 3.6 percent return on investment in the most recent quarter. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, the fund's trustee, says that includes ``solid performance'' in domestic and global stocks. They account for more than 55 percent of the portfolio. Almost 27 percent is invested in cash, bonds and mortgages, almost 8 percent in private equity and 7 percent in real estate. The Common Retirement Fund for some 644,000 government employees also paid benefits to about 422,000 retirees and beneficiaries in the quarter that ended June 30. The average employer contribution rate is 20.1 percent of salary for most public workers and nearly 27.6 percent for police and firefighters, though reductions are expected shortly.
Woman from Falconer arrested for allegedly stealing gold jewelry from Chaut. Institution home...
A Falconer woman employed as a part-time home health care assistant at a home at Chautauqua Institution has been arrested for allegedly stealing a bag of gold jewelry from the home. Sheriff's officers say 33 year-old Sheryl Barton is accused of taking the rings, earrings and other items from the residence at 64 Crescent Ave. last July 13. The Sheriff's Department and Institution Police investigated... and, recovered two pieces of jewelry from Barton. She was arrested for Felony Grand Larceny... and, released to probation.
Ashville Fire Dept. set to celebrate 100th Anniversary Saturday...
A Jamestown-area volunteer fire department is celebrating it's 100th anniversary tomorrow. The Ashville Fire Department will hold it's centennial celebration during a special program tomorrow at the fire hall in Stow... near the junction of State Route 394 and Interstate 86. Department Secretary Linda Gleason... who's also an EMT with the department... says members are "very excited" about the celebration... which begins at 11 a.m. with remarks by State Senator Cathy Young... County Executive Vince Horrigan... and, others. The next big event is at Noon when Starflight comes to land at their new helipad in back of the fire house. There will also be a free chicken barbecue and give-aways. A raffle is also being held for a new four-wheeler. The Ashville Fire Department has undergone some major changes the past several years... with all their facilities being combined at the Route 394--I-86 station at Stow Rd. in Stow. Gleason says they'll also have pictures... and, much more that will tell the 100 year story of the Ashville Department. Gleason says the chicken barbecue is being served free of charge. The event runs until 4 p.m. tomorrow.
