Horrigan says budget process moving along; looking at zero-spending increases in departments, and awaiting governor's signature on sales tax increase...
Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan is continuing preliminary work on a moe than $230-million, 2016 budget. Horrigan says he is now in the process of meeting with department heads to get an initial read of the spending plan. He says they'll be going through the budget's... line-by-line... looking to keep spending "flat." Horrigan says he will then meet with his finance team to go through the overall impact on the budget. In addition... he says he's sticking with his pledge of a property tax reduction by at least 3-percent. However... Horrigan says that depends on an increase in the county's sales tax. He says the request has made it through the State legislature... but, still needs Governor Andrew Cuomo's signature. Horrigan expects to release his budget proposal to the County Legislature in late September.
State Education Department to released results of statewide English and Math tests from Spring...
New York state education officials are ready to release the results of the statewide English and math tests given to students in grades 3-8 in the spring. The Education Department will make the results public on Wednesday. The tests measure student performance across the state's 700 districts. They have become controversial in recent years after being tied by the state to teacher evaluations and more rigorous Common Core learning standards. Tens of thousands of students sat out this year's testing in protest.
Johnson Foundation donates $1-million trust for health care-related scholaships at JCC...
Jamestown Community College students pursuing nursing and health-related degrees will now be able to get help from a new, $1-million trust fund established by the Johnson Foundation. Foundation adminstrators Carole Sellstrom and her husband, John... where on hand Tuesday afternoon to present the check to JCC President, Dr. Cory Duckworth at the college's nursing facility. Duckworth called it a "great day" for JCC where they were announcing the "John A. and Oscar Johnson Memorial Trust Scholarship Fund." Duckworth says the trust will provide scholarships -- with a preference given to students who have graduated from Chautauqua County high schools... are Chautauqua County residents... and, who meet financial aid eligibility requirements. The one-million dollar investment was formally accepted at a special meeting of the JCC board of trustees just prior to the presentation. John Sellstrom says the fund will especially help students who need an extra financial shot-in-the arm to go to college. Duckworth says funds will be available for the coming school year at JCC. In addition... the nursing area of the Arts and Sciences Center will now be known as the "John A. and Oscar Johnson Nursing Education Center."
Gas prices in Chautauqua County down about 6-cents this week...
Gas prices in the Jamestown-area have been plummeting for 26 consecutive days... and, have fallen another 6-cents this week. The AAA's Fuel Gauge Report says the average price of regular, unleaded, according to 19 local gas stations, has fallen by 19 cents during that streak. The Fuel Gauge reports the price of gas has dropped from about $2.88 last week to about $2.82 this week. AAA says that the current national average is $2.59 a gallon. That's 89 cents cheaper than it was last year at this time.
New Swing set at Allen Park dedicated in memory of Kallie Swan...
A new swing set is now being used by youngsters in Jamestown's Allen Park following the set's dedication last night. The park was filled with people wearing Orange as the playground equipment was named in honor of Kallie Swan. Kallie is the little girl whose courageous battle against a form of Childhood Cancer captured the hearts of local residents. The 3-year-old passed away back in May from Lympoblastic Leukemia. The swings were purchased by the Allen Park Women's Club. Club President Shannon Neubauer says they decided to dedicate this particular project. She says they decided the swing set should be treated special... and, they were looking to dedicate it to someone. Neubauer says her husband suggest Kallie Swan. However... Neubauer says she had to bring the idea to the entire club for a vote. But... she barely got Kallie's first name out -- and every hand went up. Kallie's parents, Shane and Tara, were on hand for the dedication... and, thanked everyone who came to the dedication... and, the Allen Park Women's Club for what they've done. A temporary marker is in place until the permanent one is. Neubauer adds they are also raising money to have an "orange" slide installed with the swings.
