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News Headlines for Thurs., Feb. 28, 2013

County Legislature fails to approved County Home sale for second-straight month; overwhelmingly approves motion calling for NY SAFE Act repeal...

For the second month in a row... Chautauqua County lawmakers have rejected the sale of the Chautauqua County Home.  Fifteen of the 24 legislators who attended Wednesday night's meeting supported the sale to Altitude Health Services of Evanston, Illinois, but that’s two votes short of the 17 needed for the sale to be approved.  Legislature Majority Leader Larry Barmore says the facility will eventually have to be sold.  He says the home will be sold at some point... it's just a matter of who we're going to sell it to, and when we're going to sell it."  But... Democrat Tom DeJoe of Brocton says it's not just about dollars and cents.  DeJoe says that's all he's heard -- nothing about the welfare of the residents, and quality of care.  In his State of the County message... County Executive Greg Edwards had pledged that he would develop a county budget next year that would have no increase in the property tax or sales tax rate if the legislature voted to sell the County Home.  That pledge apparently was enough sway any new votes in favor of the sale. 
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On a related issue... county legislators rejected a proposed local law that would allow the Legislature to sell real property with a simple majority vote.  The proposal was rejected 14 to 10.  And... county lawmakers approved a motion urging the State to repeal the NY SAFE Act overwhemingly 21-3.  Paula DeJoy, Robert Duff and Timothy Hoyer voted against the proposal.


Gov. Cuomo and legislature looking at amendments to NY SAFE Act...

New York will change its newly-toughened gun law so military-style rifles and high-capacity semi-automatic handguns can be used on the sets of TV shows and movies.  Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders said Wednesday they'll exempt the productions in New York from bans they rushed into law as the first in the nation after the Newtown school massacre.  They must also quickly fix another error that could soon put police officers carrying high-capacity magazines in violation of the law.  The need for a ``clean-up'' bill means the fight over the law may not be over after all.  An estimated $10,000 opponents of the new restrictions will descend on Albany Thursday as legislators consider additional amendments.


New CARTS Hub open and in use at Gateway Center Train Station...

The county's bus system has moved it's Jamestown hub back to West Second Street at the new Gateway Center Train Station.  The Chautauqua Area Rural Transit System had a partially enclosed, outdoor area near the old Erie-Lackawanna Train Station for several years... until it moved to Baker Park during the station's $11-million renovation project.  The CARTS hub is now back on West Second... in the foyer of the east entrance of the station.  Gateway Center General Manager Lee Harkness says the move is a good one for anyone using CARTS... because they have a nice waiting area that's heated, and indoors.  Harkness says the new, indoor CARTS Hub began operations on Monday... and, he says it's been well-received so far.  In fact... he says one of the bus system's drivers said "we're right back where we started."  He says the passenger waiting area is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.  County Executive Greg Edwards says he's pleased that CARTS services will now be available in front of the train station... and, adds that his team committed -- six years ago -- to being "part of the historic train station site."  For more information on the new location... call CARTS... or the station at 483-3041.


Gas prices up again slightly this week...

Gasoline prices in the Jamestown-area are up slightly this week to just over $3.90 a gallon.  The AAA's Fuel Gauge reports the average price is up about half-a-cent from last week.  But... prices are ranging in some areas from $3.93 to just short of $4 for regular, unleaded.  The AAA says the recent surge in retail prices has only been "somewhat" driven by rising crude oil prices.  They say it's actually been the product of refinery maintenance... and, other issues.  This has resulted in less gasoline being produced and fewer supplies, which has squeezed prices higher.  The average, national retail price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is up 3.4-cents a gallon to $3.78.  That's 43.5 cents more than one month ago.  State-wide... the average price is now $4.01 a gallon.


Teresi appoints Councilwoman Maria Jones to Jamestown BPU...

For the second-time in it's history... the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities will have a woman city council member on the panel.  Mayor Sam Teresi has named At-Large Councilwoman Maria Jones to the BPU to replace Vince DeJoy... who was approved this past week as the city's new director of Development.  DeJoy had served as one of two council members on the board since he was first elected.  Teresi says he had two reasons for naming Jones... who is also a pastor... to the Board of Public Utilities.  One is her background in manufacturing work at Cummins Engine, and the second is her involvement in the community.  The other is that she's a woman.  In addition to Jones... the only other woman to serve on the BPU was retired City Councilwoman Dr. Lillian Ney.  Teresi says having more female representation on the board is something "we need to correct."  However... he quickly adds her background in manufacturing... and, city issues were as important in her appointment.  The other City Council representative on the BPU is Council President Greg Rabb.  Also at this past Monday night's meeting... Rabb officially appointed ranking Republican Tony Dolce to chair the council's Finance Committee.  Dolce has accepted the appointment... and, with that... will replace Vince DeJoy as a member of the Jamestown Local Development Corporation.


Two hurt in two vehicle crash in town of Gerry...

Two people were hurt in a two-car crash at a town of Gerry intersection after one of the drivers allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign.  Sheriff's Officers say 37 year-old Brenda DeCastro-Barton of Gerry was northbound on Herrick Road just before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday... when she allegedly ran the stop sign at the intersection with the Gerry-Ellington Road... and, struck the second car.  Deputies say 49 year-old Margaret Dillard of Union City, PA was westbound... and, had one passenger in her car.  Officers say Dillard and 22 year-old Donald Herrmann of Erie, PA were taken to WCA Hospital for treatment of leg injuries.  They say Barton was not hurt... but, has been charged with failure to stop at a stop sign... and, for having an uninspected motor vehicle.