The man who has represented Jamestown's sixth-ward for the past seven years will be stepping down as of next Monday because he's moving to a different part of the city. Democrat Paul Whitford announced he will be resigning because he's completing his move to Harris Street in the first-ward. Whitford says he's going to miss being on council... and, got emotional while talking about working with his fellow council members. He singled out the longest serving member of the panel during his remarks. However... Dolce disagreed... saying he feels Whitford put "a lot" into being a councilman... especially regarding his expertise in labor and industry issues. Council President Greg Rabb thanked Whitford for his "hard work" on council... and, thanked him for sticking around to get his "seven" budget hashed-out, and approved. Rabb last night appointed Maria Jones to chair the Public Safety Committee... which Whitford chaired. Mayor Sam Teresi will have to appoint another Democrat to that seat... and, council will have to approve it.
From one state champion to another... the Jamestown Red Raider Marching Band set the tone for Monday afternoon's rally to welcome home the school's State Championship Football Team. More than 200 people crowded Tracy Plaza for the event to honor the 2014 Class-AA Champion Red Raiders... and, their coaching staff. The rally was hosted by Mayor Sam Teresi... who said -- yes, it's December 1st... and, yes, it was only about 32-degrees outside. However... Teresi says what better day to celebrate two state championships. Teresi later issued a proclamation and presented the Key to the City to the football team. He had earlier presented one to the marching band. Jamestown School Superintendent Tim Mains praised the team, and it's coaches for not only winning... but, doing it the "right way." Head Coach Tom Langworthy talked about the team's ascent to the state finals... saying their motto was "Unfinished business" after being knocked out in the Far West Regional by the eventual champion last year.
One of the JHS football captains ays the past three-plus years for most of them was a growing experience. Wide Receiver Stephen Carlson was elected to speak for the team. Carlson says they became a close-knit unit... that was united in one-goal... and, that was to win a state championship. He says they had a team that "gave it their all every single day, because they loved this team." Carlson adds they also had a vision of being where they are right now -- state champs. Carlson thanked the school community for it's support... as well as that of the entire city.
It's a regular day of classes at the Randolph Central Schools today after a big weekend that featured the varsity football team's third-straight, state Class-D championship victory. Second-year Head Coach Brent Brown says teams coaches never thought about a state title until their first 10 years ago. Brown says to win three-straight is unbelievable. Brown says they also had a special group of talented players that have provided the leadership the past three years. He says they lost a few Seniors from last years team... and, in a rematch against Chester... fell behind by 21 at half-time. However... Brown says they made a few offensive, and defensive adjustments, and that helped fuel the comeback. Senior Quarterback Bryce Morrison... who finally scored the winning touchdown late in the fourth-quarter, as the Cardinals came back to win, 48-to-41. Brown says the team received a great reception at the Randolph Fire Hall when they returned from Syracuse Saturday night.
It appears less and less likely that New York lawmakers will call a special session this month to consider giving themselves a pay raise. Top lawmakers had floated the idea of convening a lame-duck session before the end of the year. Lawmakers now make $79,500 for their part-time work. They haven't seen a pay increase in 14 years. Other topics mentioned as potential issues include a minimum wage increase, financial aid for students in the country illegally and disaster assistance for Buffalo following last month's snowstorm. If called, a special session would likely be in the first half of the month before the holidays. Spokespeople for legislative leaders say there have been no formal talks about calling lawmakers back into session. The Legislature will start its 2015 session in January.
The decision by Middle East oil producers to keep production levels where they are signals a "structural change" in which we may see lower, and more stable gasoline prices for the long-term. Those are the feelings of local Congressman Tom Reed... who says the decision by OPEC to keep production at 30-million barrels a day flew "under the radar" because it was announced late Thanksgiving Day. Reed calls the decision -- in the wake of stepped up North American production -- "very exciting...." Reed says Goldman-Sachs just released a report that estimates the downward price trend for gasoline saved American consumers about 75-billion dollars since this Summer. The Corning Republican says that amounts to a "tax cut" that will help the economy. Reed also believes the expanded production in this part of the world will hold prices down for quite some time. He made his comments during his weekly telephone conference call with Southern Tier media.
A broad cross-section of sports is covered by the Class of 2015 for the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame. Among the inductees announced Sunday night is WJTN's own Jim Roselle. Jim is being inducted as an honorary member of the hall for his time spent on the board of directors at the Winifred Crawford Dibert Boys and Girls Club, and sports announcing work in previous years. In addition to Jim... Hall of Fame President Randy Anderson says the 2015 class includes a little of everything. The induction banquet will be held on Monday, February 16th, at the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club. There are 10 inductees... including late Westfield area jockey Vincent Powers... who is being inducted under the newly-created Historical Catagory. Anderson says Powers was America's leading jockey in 1908-though 1909... and, won the Kentucky Derby in 1909. The Class of 2015 also includes pro football players Jehuu Caulrick and Chuck Crist... and coaches Bill Davenport, Jack Keeney, and Sherman's Mel Swanson... who is still going strong with more than one-thousand victories in girls and boys basketball. For more information on the banquet... call Chip Johnson at 485-6991.
Winter is just around the corner... and, outdoor enthusiasts and event volunteers are being asked to take part in the setup for the next Warren County Winterfest. Winterfest Spokesman Walt Atwood says they are looking for more volunteers to take part. He says their next general planning meeting is tonight, December 2nd, at 7 PM at the Penn Soil office-and-Warren County Conservation District headquarters. It's located in the Stone Building on the state Hospital Grounds in North Warren.
