Cuomo, Senate Republicans, agree to changes in SAFE Act...
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration and state Senate Republicans have agreed to changes in gun control laws enacted after the 2012 Connecticut school massacre. Republican Senator James Seward, a critic of the so-called ``SAFE Act,'' said Friday a moratorium on Internet sales of ammunition will be lifted and development of a statewide database requiring background checks for ammunition buyers is being suspended. The head of the state police has said technology needed for the database doesn't exist, for now. That's according to an agreement signed by Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, a Republican, and top Cuomo aide Jim Malatras. The Democratic governor has resisted calls to change what he considers a signature achievement. Democratic State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie calls the agreement ``an ill-advised end run'' around the legislation.
Teresi says complete resurfacing of Foote Avenue in city to begin Monday with state DOT prep work...
The state Department of Transportion will begin a $2.3-million resurfacing project on Foote Avenue... and, Foote Avenue extension in Jamestown... and, the town of Kiantone next Monday. That from DOT Spokesman Dan Peskey in Buffalo... who says the initial work involves the replacing 34 curb ramps. Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi says they're pleased the DOT added the one-and-a-half mile section of Foote Avenue to an already-planned project to reconstruct Foote Avenue Extension from the city line to Route 62 in Kiantone. He says the city has completed it's work... which included cleaning out the storm drains, and repairing several drop-inlets and catch basins. Peskey says they have some other early prep work to do before the mill and overlay begins later in July. He says the general contractor... Lakeshore Paving... will be handling that. The city section of Foote Avenue completely deteriorated after just four-years. Teresi says the pavement should have lasted at least 7 to 10 years. He made his comments for this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the five Media One Group Stations.
Young applauds state hiring of Questar to be new vendor for statewide Math and English assessments...
State Senator Cathy Young is among those who are "cheering" the decision by the state Education Department to go with a new vendor to develop statewide Math and English assessments. Those assessments are part of the Common Core curriculum that's been implemented for third through eighth-graders. Young says a new contract with the previous vendor, Pearson, was rejected... due mainly to what she called "out of touch" testing materials. The state Education Department late yesterday awarded a five-year, $44-million contract to Questar Assessment. Young says the Senate - quote - "successfully pushed for Common Core changes at the end of session. Testing is reduced and a content review committee will review exam questions to make sure they are age appropriate." The Olean Republican says the gag order on teachers regarding test questions has been lifted.
Democratic Mayoral Primary assured in Dunkirk...
There will be a Democrat primary for mayor in the city of Dunkirk this Fall. The Chautauqua County Board of Elections has confirmed that petitions have been filed by both incumbent A-J Dolce... and Councilman at Large Willie Rosas, who received the endorsement of the city's Democratic Committee. Mayor Dolce says he is looking forward to the challenge. Dolce says he turned in about 450 signatures on petitions Wednesday, and he thanked everyone who circulated and signed them. Rosas says he expected a primary challenge from Dolce because the incumbant said he would do that. But... he adds that now Democrats in Dunkirk "have a choice." Rosas received the endorsement over Dolce during a City Democratic Committee meeting back on May 28. The primary will be held on Sept. 10, with voting from Noon to 9 p.m.
