(**Breaking)Jamestown Ironmen becomes an "Inactive" franchise...
The city of Jamestown has again been left without a hockey team. The owner of the Jamestown Ironmen has declared the team as "inactive" for the 2013-2014 season. That was confirmed by a person answering the phone for the Ironmen at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena... which served as home for the franchise the past two seasons. However... excitement grew late this season as the team made a long-run into the North American Hockey League play-offs. The person said Head Coach Dan Daikawa has moved onto the new Minnesota Wilderness team... while the players are now free agents... and, able to move onto other teams. There are reports... none of which are confirmed... that a group of local investors were looking to buy the team from Kenji Yamada. However... Yamada remains owner of the inactive franchise... which now appears to have an uncertain future. We have a call into Yamada for comment.
Bemus Point School District voters to re-consider budget proposal on June 18...
The Bemus Point School District will put a slightly revised budget up for a vote later this month after it was defeated in a close vote by residents last May 21. School Superintendent Jackie Latshaw says the school board voted earlier this week to put the $13.1-million spending plan up for a second vote on Tuesday, June 18. Bemus Point was the only district that saw it's budget defeated in Chautauqua County last month. Latshaw says there was further discussion... and, the board agreed to tweak the 2013-2014 proposal to cover technology and needed core materials. Even though the proposal increases taxes by 5.6-percent... it still falls under the state's 2-percent property tax cap when exclusions are included. Latshaw adds a lot of people were out of town with school sports events... and, other activities... and, assumed the spending plan would pass. But... she adds there are others concerned about any tax increase. She believes a further detailed explanation of the budget addressed those. Latshaw says a public hearing will be held on the spending plan next Tuesday night... and, the vote on June 18 will run from 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Latshaw confirms she's retiring at the end of 2013...
Bemus Point Superintendent Jackie Latshaw is also confirming that she is retiring at the end of the calendar year. Latshaw says... while there's been pressure due to the budget situation... family considerations are the main reason for her decision. She says she has a "lot going on personally... and, I'm worried I won't be able to give the time to the district." Latshaw says it was a difficult decision because Bemus Point is a very special district... which she has been part of since 2000. She was appointed to replace Al D'Attillio two years ago. As far as an exact date of retirement... she says that's up in the air. Latshaw says the board is just beginning to meet with Erie-2, Chautauqua, Cattaragus BOCES Superintendent David O'Rouke to begin the search for a new superintendent.
