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News Headlines for Sat-Sun, June 27-28, 2015

Panebianco urges JHS Graduates to work hard to attain their dreams -- in fact -- be a little "unreasonable..."

There's a bad time to be "unreasonable..." but, there's also a good time.  The keynote speaker at last Friday night's Jamestown High School graduation says it's good to be a bit unreasonable when it comes to pursuing your dreams.  Local attorney George Panebianco grew up in a poor family... and, was one of seven children.  Panebianco says he worked hard in school... and, got the grades to go to college.  He wanted to go to college, and become a lawyer because he wanted to help people.  But... he says his father wanted him to be "reasonable" about it.  Panebianco says his father was "being practical and reasonable" about needing to get a job because the family couldn't afford to send him to college.  However... he says his father "didn't understand" how much he wanted to be a lawyer.  After graduating... Panebianco says he had to work hard once he got to Albany Law School.  He admitted to being intimidated by some of his fellow classmates and their backgrounds.  That showed with one professor... who pushed him to do more work on a legal brief until he finally defending the quality and effort on his third try.  With that, he told them to do their best on "the first try."  Panebianco is now the President and Managing Partner of the Lewis and Lewis Law firm's five western New York offices... which include Jamestown and Buffalo.  He also touted many of the 300 members of the Class of 2015... many of whom he coached in youth leagues... or know growing up. 
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JHS's graduation was held at Chautauqua Institution.  Southwestern's 101 graduates were honored during commencement exercises at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.  There were also ceremonies Friday night in Frewsburg, and Bemus Point... among others.  Congratulations to all the graduates from the county's 18 school districts.


Jamestown native "estatic" over Supreme Court ruling in favor of gay marriage...

The U-S Supreme Court's decision ruling in favor of gay marriage not only helps those same sex couples in states where it was illegal... but, those who are married, and live in states that don't recognize it.  That from a Jamestown native who was one of the plaintiffs in the case before the Supreme Court.  Paul Campion... who was recently in Jamestown to talk about the case... says he is "estatic" with Friday's ruling.  Campion says the ruling now provides more than one-thousand rights he and his spouse, Randy, were previously denied.  One regards getting health care... will allow them to make decisions without having to jump through all the "hoops" they've had to up until now.  Campion and Randy Johnson have been together 24 years... and, since being married in 2008 in California... have adopted four children.  However... Campion says he is the parent of three boys, while Randy had a girl.  He says they'll be able to "blend" that family now in Kentucky... which didn't recognize same sex marriage previously.  On WJTN's Jim Roselle Show... Campion told Jim and our Dennis Webster they'll be celebrating the ruling this weekend.


Malone "bitterly disappointed" by Supreme Court ruling...

While there is joy in the gay and lesbian communities over the Same Sex Marriage ruling Friday... there was also disappointment.  Buffalo Catholic Bishop Richard Malone issued a statement following the decision by the Supreme Court.  Malone says it "redefines" marriage... and, adds he is "bitterly disappointed."  He says marriage is the "lifelong exclusive union of one man and one woman."  Malone says marriage is rooted in creation... and, says "God created marriage in the very same breath as He created the human person."


Horrigan praises state legislature for approving county sales, and bed tax measures...  

Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan says that state lawmakers got the job done.  Horrigan says the home-rule legislation that will allow the county to raise its sales tax from 7.5% to 8% has cleared the State Assembly.  The Senate approved the measure a short time before that.  Horrigan says he's "pleased" with the news... adding the only action needed now is for the governor to sign.  Horrigan says the increase in sales tax... which is expected to bring another $6 to $8-million to the county... will help in two ways.  One is to eliminate a structural deficit of about $6-million, and, to -- in a corresponding move -- lower the county's property tax by at least 3-percent.  As part of the legislation... the county will have to make that reduction starting with the 2016 budget.  Many lawmakers believe they can cut more than that.  Horrigan says the move should help bring the county in line with its neighboring counties in Western New York.