City lawmakers begin work on 2024 budget proposal...
Jamestown City Council members are still gathering information on Mayor Eddie Sundquist's 2024 budget proposal. There is some money not yet accounted for in the $40.15-million spending plan which was released just over a week ago. Finance Committee Chairwoman Kim Ecklund says one item left out was an initial payment on the $6.8-million to $6.9-million they're looking to borrow for capital projects and repairs. That's estimated to be about $160,000 dollars... and, there's about $10,000 for software and training in the Information Technology Department. There were other areas of concern... including a significant jump in the amount budgeted for Summer Parks Laborers. Councilman Andrew Faulker asked Mayor Eddie Sundquist about that. Sundquist says it's a "combined" number with the Youth Employment Program at the Parks Department's recommendation. Ecklund later added that the city also needs to account for 15 to 20 properties that have been torn down... and, won't be producing anymore tax revenue. The budget review will continue next Monday night.
**(New)County Sheriff's Office to be part of new IGNITE jail inmate program...
The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office has become the first in New York state to take part in a new educational program designed to help lower recidivism rates. Sheriff Jim Quattrone hosted a press conference in Jamestown late Tuesdaymorning with other sheriff's, and law enforcement leaders who are part of the IGNITE -- or Individual Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education -- program. Quattrone says the county jail will be the 11th in the U.S. to take part in the comprehensive program designed to provide inmates with education, job training, and life skills so they can be a contributing part of society once released. More on it tomorrow.
Chagnon says Democrats budget proposal was not presented during budget talks...
Two budget proposals announced recently by Chautauqua County Legislature Democrats were not discussed during the recent budget sessions. One was to use another $1-million in fund balance to further reduce the tax levy... and, rate in the county. The second would eliminate the still-new Media Information Officer's position. Legislature Chairman Pierre Chagnon says none of the four Demcrats brought those up... and, that was somewhat of a surprise. However... amendments can still be offered on the floor of the legislature at it's Oct. 25 meeting... when lawmakers are expected to vote on the final spending plan, which totals about $294.1-million. The legislature will hold a public hearing prior to that vote a week from this Wednesday.
City woman arrested for hitting another woman several times during reported domestic incident...
A Jamestown woman has been arrested for allegedly hitting another woman several times on the city's northside before fleeing the scene to avoid capture. City police were called to a Fluvanna Avenue business shortly before Noon Monday for a report of a "domestic dispute in progress." Officers say the suspect -- identified as 40 year-old Amie Griffith -- was later found with her car on Prendergast Avenue. Upon further investigation... police determined that Griffith had struck the victim several times in the face and body through her car window while also damaging the woman's $500 prescription glasses. Griffith was taken into custody on charges of second-degree harassment and third-degree criminal mischief. She was jailed pending arraignment.
Man from Hanover arrested for harassment...
A town of Hanover man has been arrested for allegedy getting into a physical altercation with another person at a home in the town early last Saturday. Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene on Jaekle Avenue about 10:40 a.m. Saturday... and, their investigation showed that 41 year-old Robert Bissell made unwanted physical contact to another person. Officers arrested Bissell for second-degree harassment... and, he was taken to the county jail pending centralized arraignment.
Sundquist and Ecklund discuss and debate public safety in mayor's forums...
Public safety has come up time and again as an issue in this year's race for mayor in the city of Jamestown. Incumbant Mayor Eddie Sundquist's administration has been criticized for being slow to react to some of those... including security in the city's two parking ramps. However... Councilwoman Kim Ecklund, who is the Republican challenger in the race, says public safety becomes a broad issue that includes more than police and fire protection. Ecklund says there hasn't been a "great environment" coming out of the pandemic with people not working, mental health issues, and others. She says that's why she supported proposals to hire a new "nuisance officer" to deal with noise and other "quality of life" issues... as well as hire more officers. For his part... Sundquist says his administration made those moves in response to community meetings he's held with residents. As for the ramps... security issues were first reported more than a year ago in the Cherry Street ramp. More recently... they became a bigger issue in the Spring Street facility. Sundquist says they've been able to boost personnel... including police patrols for the ramps. However... Ecklund says the administration has been late on making those changes.
City woman arrested for alleged shoplifting at Brooklyn Square Rite Aid...
A Jamestown woman has been arrested for allegedly shoplifting at pharmacy in Brooklyn Square last Saturday night. City police were called to the Rite Aid store at 50 South Main St. about 7 p.m. for a reported theft. Officers say they found that 38 year-old Jennifer Allen had put store merchandise in her shirt before leaving the store without paying for those items. Police located Allen near the scene... and, she was arrested without incident. She was jailed on a petty larceny charge pending arraignment.
