With family and friends standing behind him, Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi announced at the end of last night's City Council work session that he won't be running for a sixth-term in office....
Teresi's wife, Becky, and son Joe, came into the Mayor's Conference room as Teresi began his surprising announcement. He simply said "it's time" to spend more time with his family, and that he had a "good run" as mayor.
There had been wide-spread speculation over the past year whether Teresi would seek a sixth-term. However, the Mayor, who was first elected in 1999, said he thought long and hard about the decision before last night's announcement. The Democrat thanked all council members for their hard work and, says it's been an honor to work with each one. He says that's been especially the case with the current group. In addition to his family, Teresi was joined by retired City Clerk Jim Olson and his wife, Pam, as well as Executive Secretary Leigh Ann Jordan and her family.
There is one member of the Jamestown City Council who has mirrored Sam Teresi's time as an elected official in city government.....
Republican Tony Dolce called last night's announcement "bittersweet..." noting that while they have been friends down through the years, they have also had their political disagreements. Dolce acknowledged how difficult Teresi's decision was to make.
Another who spoke was Council President Marie Carrubba, who just became head of the council last year. Carrubba says she can't thank Teresi enough for his dedication to the city, and it's residents. She says they know how hard Teresi has worked to get the city it's fair share of state aid, and, that being mayor is a "24/7" job. Councilwoman Vickye James also thanked Teresi for all his efforts. Teresi did note after his announcment that there was still a lot of work to get done this year and, that he wants to check off those items before the end of the year.
Mayor Sam Teresi's annoucement that he would not be seeking a sixth-term caught a number of people at the work session by surprise and, some council members voiced their support for his decision....
One was Council President Marie Carrubba, who just became head of the council last year. Carrubba says she can't thank Teresi enough for his dedication to the city, and it's residents.
Teresi did note after his announcment that there was still a lot of work to get done this year and, that he wants to check off those items before the end of the year. The longest serving Councilman on the panel, Republican Tony Dolce, noted that he had worked with Teresi every year that he's been mayor and, while they haven't always agreed on matters, this is a "bittersweet" moment. Councilwoman Vickye James also thanked Teresi for all his efforts.
Two people from the Clymer-area were arrested Sunday night after a criminal mischief complaint in the town of French Creek uncovered an alleged methamphetamine lab on Bush Road.....
Sheriff's deputies and members of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force responded to the complaint just after 5 p.m. and, found items consistant with the making of meth. Officers checked both suspect's criminal history, and found both were wanted in Pennsylvania. Officers say 32 year-old Christopher Bliss was charged with one count of third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree Unlawful Manufacturing of Methamphetamine, and as a fugitive from justice. They add the other resident, 29 year-old Kristal Whitmore was charged with third-degree Unlawful Manufacturing of Methamphetamine and, as a Fugitive from Justice. Both suspects were arraigned and, sent to the county jail pending further court action. The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force and the New York State Police C-SERT Team did a further search and remediation of the crime scene. More charges are pending. (***Anyone with information on illegal drug activity is asked to call the task force at 1-800-344-8702.)
It's been a record-setting temperature day in western New York with a new high being set in Buffalo....
The National Weather Service reports the mercury reached 59-degrees Monday afternoon and local and state officials are keeping a close watch on creeks and streams. A Flood Watch remains in effect through late Wednesday night for most of Western New York, including Chautauqua County. Meteorologist Heather Kenyon in Buffalo says much of the snowpack has already melted and, the ice in local creeks is breaking up.
Kenyon says more melting was expected through this morning. She says rivers and creeks will continue to rise. The record high for this date in Buffalo was 57 degrees. Kenyon says rain fall during the watch will average around a quarter inch. Cattaraugus Creek near Sunset Bay among the locations where there is a history of ice jam flooding.
Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello says his office and departments are working closely with local emergency officials in monitoring area creeks.....
Borrello says the usual trouble spots include Cattaraugus Creek near Sunset Bay and, in the village of Silver Creek where Silver and Walnut Creeks meet to flow out into Lake Erie. He says...so far... so good.
Borrello says residents who live near creeks that are prone to ice jamming should be prepared to move rapidly, or fully evacuate. He says they'll let people know through Reverse 9-1-1, the media and social media. Again, the Flood Watch continues through late Wednesday night.
Local Congressman Tom Reed is expressing a lot of frustration over the past 45 days in Washington with the partial government shut-down and, lack of progress to avoid another one....
Reed is hoping that President Trump can deliver a State of the Union message that will better unite Democrats and Republicans to avoid another shut-down February 15th. Reed says he's hopeful but, adds that "dialogue is needed" in order for that to occur in Washington. Reed says the "Problem Solver's Caucus" he co-chairs has been working to help allow more "bottom-up" legislation to be considered.
Reed says both sides still seem firmly entrenched in their positions, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying there will be "no money" for a wall, while the president says there will be wall funding. During last Friday's Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Congressional Luncheon in Mayville, Reed recalled something former President Bill Clinton did in the 1990s. They had a stalemate until Clinton called both sides in the room, and shut the door until they came to an agreement. The president will give his State of the Union message to Congress tonight.
