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New Headlines for Tues., Mar. 12, 2013

CVCS board votes unanimously to close Cassadaga Valley Central School after 2012-2013 school year....

The Cassadaga Valley Central School Board has cleared the way for closing the Cassadaga Elementary School at the end of this school year.  The board last night voted 4-to-0 in approving the closing.  School Superintendent Scott Smith says the move will allow the building to close at the end of June.  Smith says those students will begin attending Sinclairville Elementary School at the state of the 2013-2014 school year.  He says it was "a decision that was not at all easy for the board of education."  He says they've been talking extensively about the closing since late last year.  The district is facing declining enrollment and a budget gap of nearly $1.6-million.  Closing the school will save the district nearly $450,000.

 

Fredonia voters agree to move village elections to November...

Another Chautauqua County village had decided to move it's village elections to the November General Election.  Residents in Fredonia have overwhelmingly agreed to move their vote by a 738-to-21 margin.  Mayor Steve Keefe says the first village election to be part of the November vote will be 2014.


Jamestown lawmakers to vote soon on about $1-million in repairs to Tracy Plaza...

City lawmakers will be acting soon on beginning about $1-million in renovations to Jamestown's Tracy Plaza late this Spring and through the Summer.  Public Works Director Jeff Lehman went before the City Council last night to lay-out the project... which will basically be the first part of a phased-in, $2-million effort.  Lehman says this project would mainly involved repairing the decking and replacing the concrete walls.  Lehman adds this phase will not include replacement of the dozens of "joints" on the deck that have leaked for 10 to 15 years now.  Lehman says a different kind of material would be used to replace the joints... and, stop the leaking.  As for this project... he says they'll be closing the entire deck down... except for the entrace to City Hall.  Public Works Committee Chairman George Spitale says lawmakers will be voting on hiring Greenman-Peterson Designers to do design work, and draw up bid specifications.  Spitale says there are several items that will have to be bid out... with the big item being buying and installing guardrails to replace most of the concrete walls for $400,000.  Lehman says the money to pay for this phase is already in place.


State legislature puts on final push to get 2013-2014 spending plan in place...

The State Legislature is calling for more spending, tax cuts and a higher minimum wage, even a roll-back of a new gun control law in their budget counter-proposals.  But... Gov. Andrew Cuomo says money is short.  He noted legislative proposals are often used for political posturing and often aren't likely to change the budget.  Cuomo also says Monday he won't allow a Senate proposal to cut the funding out of his gun control law.  That law raised the ire of a vocal minority of upstate residents who live in mostly Republican districts.  Cuomo and legislative leaders plan to meet later Monday. Cuomo says a solid budget framework must be in place by the end of this week to hit the March 21st target to pass one of the earliest budgets in decades.

Fire that starts in basement extensively damages part of Kiantone home, one dog perishes...

Flames extensively damaged the lower parts of a 2-and-a-half story home in the town of Kiantone Monday morning.  Investigators say the blaze was caused by a problem with a power strip.  Second Assistant Kiantone Fire Chief Jeff Kibbe says crews were called to the scene at 14-88 Warren-Jamestown Boulevard shortly before 9:30 a.m.  Kibbe says they found light smoke coming from the single-family home on arriving... but, the smoke and fire was begining to pick-up. Kibbe says they called in mutual aid from Busti... Falconer....Frewsburg... Kennedy... Lakewood and Panama.  He says it took about half-an-hour to bring the blaze under control... but, he says it took a while to make sure they got the entire fire out. Investigators say the fire started in the basement.  Kibbe says no one was hurt... but, one dog died as a result of the blaze.  The one resident home at the time was sleeping... but, she was awakened by working smoke detectors.  The smoke detectors are credited with waking the resident up and allowing her to get out without injury.  The public is reminded to frequently check the batteries in their smoke detectors.


Reed optimistic about getting movement on eliminating seqester cuts, dealing with deficit as Obama reaches out to GOP...

President Obama has been reaching out to Republicans in recent days as lawmakers try to deal with sequestration and the nation's rising debt.  Local Congressman Tom Reed of Corning believes the president is sincere. The Republican from Corning says he hopes a "grand" plan can be worked out that addresses both the short and long term. Reed... who held a conference call with area media Monday morning... says the president is expected to meet with the Republican conference later this week.  The Corning Republican says he is eager for that "conversation" to occur.


Celoron mourns lose of Mayor Keeney...

It's a sad time in the village of Celoron... as residents are mourning the loss of Mayor Jack Keeney.  Keeney died this past Saturday night following a brief battle with Liver Cancer.  He was 72.  Following a long career at the Panama Central Schools... Keeney ran for... and, was elected Mayor in 2009.  Keeney was known for his efforts to expand Senior and youth programming in the village... and, promoting it's ties to the late Lucille Ball.  In one of his last public acts as mayor... Keeney... who was visably weakened by Cancer Treatment... voice his support of organizers of the first-ever Lucy Town Half-Marathon.  The event next October will go through Celoron.  He says they welcome the partners involved, because they are "putting a spotlight on the village of Celoron.  The press conference was held in Jamestown... which is where the half-marathon will start and finish.  Keeney was also known for his efforts to move waterfront development along in the village.  He was a physical education teacher for 34 years at Panama... he was also football coach for 33 years... and, was Athletic Director for 30 years.  Keeney also coached a number of Panama's other sports teams.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lakewood.  The Lind Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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With the passing of Jack Keeney... Deputy Celoron Mayor Scott Schrekengast will handle Keeney's duties until the village board meets next month.  The board held a moment of silence at Monday night's meeting.  Celoron Village Clerk Shirley Sanfilippo says -- at that time -- they'll likely appoint an interim Mayor.  If it's one of the current trustees... Sanfilippo says the board would then have to appoint a new trustee.  The interim Mayor and trustee would then serve until the November election.