Once again this year, there is again little left to cut in the budget's for the city of Jamestown's two biggest departments....
That from Public Safety Director and city Police Chief Harry Snellings during last night's City Council budget review. Snellings asked lawmakers to consider adding up to three new officers next year to reduce annual IMPACT Payments when the number falls under 60. He says, currently, they have 62, but two are retiring in 2020.
Snellings says he's also looking at filling one full-time administrative position because of changes in the state's "discovery laws" Council also talked with Deputy Fire Chief Sam Salemme about his spending plan. He says manpower is also an issue for him in the new year, with four firefighters out on long-term injury leave and, three others looking to retire. A study by a national group indicated a few years back that Jamestown should have 15 to 16 firefighters on duty each shift for a city their size but, currently they have 9 or 10. Lawmakers were supposed to review the public works and parks budgets last night but, will now do those on November 4th, prior to that night's work session.
A Jamestown man was arrested for allegedly stabbing himself in front of three young children, and hurting a police officer last weekend....
City police were called to the upper apartment at 149 Superior Street for an out-of-control male last Saturday night. On arrival, officers say they found 24 year-old Bryce Stahlman was allegedly intoxicated and, he pushed an officer down the stairs, injuring the officer. Stahlman is accused of being combative during the entire incident, until he was taken into custody. He was evaluated at UPMC Chautauqua Hospital and sent to the city jail on three-counts of endangering the welfare of a child, obstruction and reckless endangerment. The JPD officer was also treated at UPMC Chautauqua and released from the with minor injuries.
A drunk driver was arrested for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident last Thursday night in the Town of Ellicott.....
Town Police responded to the scene on Fairmount Avenue with Lakewood-Busti Police about 8 PM and, learned the victim reportedly followed the suspect to their residence in the city of Jamestown. Further investigation identified the driver at 37 year-old Amy Baker, who was found to be intoxicated at the time of the crash. Baker was taken into custody and is to appear in Ellicott Town Court at a later date.
The two candidates running to replace Cathy Young in the New York State Senate differ on a lot of issues but, they have similar views on one matter that's been in the news -- vaping....
During a recent debate, Democrat Austin Morgan and Republican George Borrello both disagreed with Governor Andrew Cuomo's ban on the sale of flavored-electronic cigarettes. Borrello fells the governor overreacted.
Borrello and Morgan also agreed on the need for regulation, with Morgan making the case for the state Health Department to step in. Borrello says, a few years ago, Chautauqua County approved a local law setting the age that people can purchase tobacco and or Vaping product at 21 years. Both Borrello and Morgan are vying for the seat that has been vacant since Young's resignation back in March.
Another upcoming event in the city of Jamestown is celebrating an historic anniversary this year with the 35th annual Halloween Fun Fest at Allen Park....
The city's Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Department is hosting the event at the former Allen Park Ice Rink on Halloween night, Thursday, October 31st from 6 to 8 PM. Parks and Recreation Coordinator Julia Ciesla-Hanley says it's a nice alternative if the weather's less than ideal.
Ciesla-Hanley says they'll also have kids games, and refreshments. She says those will be provided by Honest John's Restaurant, Wegmans and Starbucks. She adds they'll also have two kid's costume contests that night, at 6:45 and 7:45 PM. They'll be preceeded by costume parades at 6:30 and 7:30 PM. Ciesla-Hanley says each first-place winner will receive a new bicycle. She says that people over the age of 12 must be accompanied by a child and, children under the age of 6 must be accompanied by a parent or adult. Music will be provided by the local band "Take 2." For more information, call 483-7523.
