Goodell sounding optimistic tone about possible on-time Budget...
Budget negotiations got underway this week in Albany... and, there are less than two weeks to go before the April 1st deadline. Assemblyman Andy Goodell tells us that there seems to be some progress... and, that's lent to some optimism about an on-time spending plan. However... there are some sticking points -- namely issues that are "unrelated to the budget," but, were added to it by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Among those issues are increasing the minimum wage... and, teacher evaluations and testing requirements. Goodell says the addition of those issues into the budget process is troubling and may be against the State Constitution. State lawmakers face an April 1st budget deadline.
Anderson Precision officials sign new "Flex Rate" agreement with BPU...
A local maker of "turned metal" products has become the first company inside the city of Jamestown to become part of the Board of Public Utilities "Flex Rate" program. BPU and City officials were at Anderson Precision on Livingston Avenue Friday morning to sign the new, 3-and-a-half year agreement with company officials. The contract will provide the local manufacturer with a slightly lower electric rate in return for investments in the local facility and workforce. Mayor Sam Teresi credited BPU General Manager Dave Leathers -- and others -- for working with the state Public Service Commission to allow smaller companies... like Anderson... to be part of the program. Leathers says the agreement with Anderson came together "pretty quickly" once the PSC approved the "Flex Rate" expansion. Anderson Precision's Co-Owner, Dave Archer, says the contract is a "big deal..." and, will help them compete in a global marketplace. Anderson is the fifth Jamestown-area company in the program. The Flex Rate agreement takes effect this April 1st... and, runs through October of 2018.
Fire at vacant, Ellington home determined accidental...
An unattended electric heat lamp is being blamed for a house fire in the town of Ellington early Friday morning. Sheriff's Department Fire Investigators say Ellington firefighters were called to the scene at 597 Hunt Rd. in Cherry Creek shortly after Midnight. Cherry Creek fire crews assisted at the scene. The house was reportedly vacant... and, no injuries were reported. Following an investigation... officials say the blaze was caused because the heat lamp was placed in close proximity to combustible material for a long time period.
NYS Report: Failing Schools tied to poverty level...
An analysis by the Fiscal Policy Institute says most of the 178 New York schools identified by Governor Andrew Cuomo as ``failing'' are located in the state's poorest communities. The institute, which advocates shared prosperity, says 31 percent of the students in those schools live below the poverty line... and, 78 percent get free or reduced-price lunches. The governor says failing schools are in the bottom 5-percent of schools statewide based on combined test scores and aren't showing progress or have graduation rates below 60 percent for the last three years. He has proposed that a non-profit or other district take over those deemed failing three years in a row. The institute says the fundamental issue is poverty. It's urging a $2.2-billion boost in state aid targeting "high-needs" districts... such as Jamestown.
