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News Headlines for Sat., July 9, 2016

Paul Abbott elected as new Jamestown School Board President...

The longest-serving, current member of the Jamestown School Board says he is "humbled" to have been named the panel's new president.  Paul Abbott, who was most recently the board's Vice-President, was unanimously approved for the position during at Friday afternoon's re-organizational meeting.  Abbott says he's honored to be named to head up the panel during the 2016-17 school... adding that he's a member of a team that's "one of seven" members.  He replaces Joe DiMaio... who decided not to run for re-election to the board again.  Abbott... who has been on the board for nine years... has been a long-time member of the Jamestown Police Department.  He was board V.P. for the past two years.  In addition... the school board approved Patrick Slagle to be the panel's new vice-president in the new year.


Snellings urges caution among JPD rank and file after five Dallas Police officers are shot and killed...

The top law-enforcement official in the city of Jamestown says he's telling the men and women in his department to be "careful..." but, there have been no changes in tactics nor enforcement locally.  City Police Chief and Public Safety Director Harry Snellings says the entire department's thoughts and prayers are with the police and people of Dallas.  Snellings says it's a difficult time for law enforcement... but, adds they need to carry on.  He adds officers need to be safe and exercise "situational awareness" when they're patrolling.  Snellings says he met with a few officers of the First Platoon Friday morning before they went on duty... and, told them to "continue doing their jobs... and, don't let it become a distraction."  He's not ready to blame the National media-hype for leading to the response to officer-involved shootings.  Snellings says law enforcement should do a better job of explaining what they can and can't do in "use of force" incidents.  He says while officers who do wrong need to be held accountable... those who do things right need to be supported.

 

Gerace expresses shock over Dallas shootings...

Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace says he's is following developments in Dallas, Texas... where the five police officers were killed and six others wounded... during a protest over police-involved shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota.  Gerace says he is "shocked" by the targeted attack on the officers in Dallas late Thursday night... calling it an "unbelievable situation."  He believes things can be done at the federal-level to help ease tensions... but, he adds the national media needs to take some responsibility.  He says they should report on facts... not pass judgement on circumstances that may have been "sensationalized." 

 

Congressman Reed says, in wake of Dallas shootings, he's standing with law enforcement...

Local Congressman Tom Reed says he's standing with law enforcement during this difficult time in the nation.  The Corning Republican emphasized in a short statement Friday afternoon "that senseless acts of violence and retaliation against any one group of people...especially law enforcement officers who sacrifice every day to keep us safe... are never justified.  The violence must stop."  He adds he grieves with all those impacted... and, our prayers are with the families and loved ones who have lost someone to the recent violence.


Horrigan says county budget process is underway, and, so far, so good...

Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan has begun the 2017 budget process... and, dealing with a number of financial challenges facing the county.  But... Horrigan says he feels "pretty good" about how the spending plan is starting out.  Horrigan began meeting with department heads last week to lay-out his goals for next year.  He says challenge the first is producing a "structurally-balanced" budget... one that lays the ground-work for the next five-years.  Horrigan says the next big challenge will be bringing the budget in under the state Property Tax Cap... which he says will be point-7-percent next year.  He says that'll be difficult... but, he believes they'll have a budget that comes in under that.  Horrigan made his comments for this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the five Media One Group stations.


Jamestown-Area Soap Box Derby winners on the way to Akron, Ohio for world championships...

The Jamestown-Area Soap Box Derby's two champions are traveling to Akron, Ohio this weekend for the World Championships... which start the following weekend.  Bemus Point's Jackson Gowan won the Super Stock Division... and, the 11 year-old tells us that it's "awesome" to be going, and says he's looking forward to swimming and other fun activities leading up to the derby.  West Ellicott's Brock Vincent won the Stock Division... and, says he's very happy to be going.  The 8 year-old says it's been a challenge... but, it's also "been fun."