A Chautauqua County Legislator who ran for County Clerk eight years ago is hoping a second time will be the charm. Jamestown Democrat Lori Cornell announced late Wednesday that she will be running for the seat being left open by the woman who beat her in 2005. Incumbant Republican Sandy Sopak is retiring after this second-term in office. Cornell says she's enjoyed representing District 12 for the past 3-and-a-half years. However... she adds she wants another shot at higher office. Cornell feels there a two, key parts to the "non-partisan" position. While she ran a hard campaign against Sandy Sopak eight years ago... Cornell says she would be honored to succeed Sopak... who she admires for her work in upgrading, and streamlining the clerk's office. She also feels she has both the public and private sector experience... and, leadership skills needed for the job. Cornell says that comes from earning her Masters Degree from the business school at St. Bonaventure University. She curretly consults for companies to help with their marketing and sales. County Democrat Committee Chairman Norm Green expects Cornell to be endorsed at this weekend's Party convention.
The city of Jamestown has again been left without a hockey team -- at least for the 2013-2014 season. The owner of the Jamestown Ironmen has suspended operatons... making the team "inactive" for the coming season. That was confirmed by a person answering the phone for the Ironmen's office at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena... which served as home for the franchise the past two years. In a printed statement late Wednesday... owner Kenju Yamada said he appreciated all the local support... and, added "I am strongly looking forward to make the Jamestown Ironmen come back on the ice for the 2014-2015." A call for direct comment from Yamada was not returned. Excitement grew late this past season as the team made it to the final four of the North American Hockey League play-offs. We have learned that Head Coach Dan Daikawa has moved onto the new Minnesota Wilderness team... while the players have been released, and are now free agents. Arena officials confirm a group of local investors were reportedly looking to buy the team... but, a final agreement could not be struck.
Current Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards will be at center stage for the county Chamber of Commerce's annual County Executive Breakfast this Friday morning at the Chautauqua Golf Club. Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Todd Tranum says it will be the final Chamber breakfast event for Edwards, who is not seeking re-election in November. The Chamber holds the event each year in order to provide an opportunity for the business community to hear directly from the County Executive. Tranum says Edwards will be making a presentation as part of the breakfast before taking questions from chamber members. Those interested in attending can make reservations by calling the Chautauqua County Chamber at 366-6200... or 484-1101.
Governor Andrew Cuomo is proposing to authorize three Las Vegas-type casinos in upstate New York, a large video slot machine center in Western New York... and an open-ended moratorium on casinos in New York City. Cuomo made the announcement Wednesday in a bill expected to be the basis of a possible legislative deal by the end of the current session on June 20th. Cuomo's proposal would put resort casinos in three of six regions. The regions in play include the Catskills, the Albany-Saratoga region, the North Country, central New York, the eastern part of the Southern Tier and western New York. The proposal going to the Legislature would allow only one casino in a region. Cuomo wants a minimum 50-million dollar licensing fee... and, a 25 percent cut of gross revenues going to the state. He is also again seeking to pressure the Seneca Nation of Indians by threatening to put a private sector, Las Vegas-style casino in the Buffalo region that would compete with the tribe's casino. Cuomo's bill wouldn't put a new casino in the Seneca's area if the tribe was in ``good standing.'' Seneca Nation President Barry Snyder, Senior tells the Buffalo News that Cuomo "is a bully'' after meetings in Albany.
The Bemus Point School District will put -- essentially -- the same budget up for a vote later this month that was rejected in a close vote by residents last May 21st. School Superintendent Jackie Latshaw says the school board voted earlier this week to put the 13.1-million dollar spending plan up for a second vote on Tuesday, June 18th. 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. Latshaw says... even though the proposal increases taxes by 5.6-percent... it still falls under the 2-percent property tax cap when exclusions are included. Board officials say there's "no fluff" in the budget. Latshaw adds a lot of people were out of town with school sports events... and, other events... 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 18th will run from 2 to 8:30 PM.
