Preliminary Court Hearing for suspects in Carroll Homicides cancelled; next court appearance set for Friday...
A preliminary hearing for the four men accused of murdering a town of Carroll couple last week has been cancelled... but, a new court date has been set in the case. Chautauqua County District Attorney David Foley would only say the four suspects had not waived their hearing.... and, that they have another court date has been scheduled for county court at 9:30 a.m. Friday. Otherwise, he declined comment. 66 year-old Gordon... and, 59 year-old Joyce Skinner were found dead in their Wheeler Hill Road home a week ago Wed., April 17. Sheriff Joe Gerace says the four suspects were arrested early the next morning in Elmira. They have been identified as 34-year-old David Coggins... who had no known address... and, 18-year-olds Ricky Knickerbocker, and, Steven Todd and 21-year-old Joshua McCormick... all of Elmira. All four have been preliminarily charged with two counts each of second-degree murder. Gerace says the Skinners were apparently targeted for the crime.
Goodell supports effort to pass Recall legislation in New York...
Republicans in the State Assembly are pushing a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow voters to recall their elected officials for corruption and other reasons. Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, who is leading the movement, says recall elections are already working in 19 other states. Local Assemblyman Andy Goodell says he backs the effort because it reminds lawmakers that they "must always focus first and foremost on representing their constituents, and no one else." Goodell says because it involves amending the state constitution... it will probably take about 3 to 4 years to gain approval if there is enough support. The Bemus Point Republican says both the Senate and Assembly have to vote pass "concurrent resolutions" supporting the amendment... in two separate sessions. It would then have to be approved by the voters. Goodell says the GOP has not yet heard back from the other side of the aisle. He admits they will need some help in getting the legislation through the Democrat-led chamber. The legislation would apply to all state elected officials.
County Legislature approves measure to renew additional .5-percent sales tax renewal...
Chautauqua County lawmakers Wednesday night began the process of renewing the county's added half-a-percent sales tax. The legislature approved a home rule request to the state to keep the overall tax at 7.5-percent, 22-to-3. Majority Leader Larry Barmore supported the measure... saying it's critical to retain the extra point-5 percent to maintain county operations. Barmore generally opposes increased taxes... but, adds that if the half-a-percent was not renewed for another two years... it would result in a huge property tax increase. He says thatt's because it would have to replace $6.2-million in lost revenues... or $1 per $1,000 full value in property taxes. Barmore says counties can automatically charge a 7-percent tax... with four-percent going to the state... and, three-percent to the counties. Half of that goes to local cities, towns and villages. Barmore adds that 30-percent of the added half-a-percent goes to local municipalities. Jamestown Democrat Lori Cornell cast one of the "no" votes. She says she's consistantly voted against that... and, other tax increases. Cornell says the "bottom line" is it's a tax increase. Barmore says the city of Jamestown gets an additional $530,000 a year from the added half-a-percent... and, would likely have to increase property taxes if that wasn't available. Cornell argues the cost of government needs to be cut... and, made more efficient... and, more needs to be done to stimulate the economy.
Jamestown man arrested for alleged possession of "Crack" cocaine...
A city man is in the county jail after allegedly being found in possession of "crack" cocaine when he was spotted hiding in the back seat of a car during a traffic stop Tuesday afternoon. Jamestown police say officers had pulled over the car on Washington Street, near 10th about 4:30 p.m., for a traffic violation. During the stop... they found 28 year-old Darren Mushat laying down in the backseat... and, trying to hide from officers. Police say Mushat was already wanted for criminal possession of a controlled substance. Officers say they found about 1.6-grams of "crack" in his possession during the stop. They say Mushat was charged with another count of Felony criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was arraigned in city court... and, sent to the county jail without bail.
