Prendergast Library board to consider selling some of it's artwork to get needed money, and cut maintenance costs...
The board of the Prendergast Library in Jamestown is looking at selling some of it's art pieces to help offset an on-going budget deficit... and, that's stirred some controversy. The board agreed to let Sotheby's Auction House do an appraisal of all of the library's art work to determine the value of all the pieces. However... Library Director Tina Scott says not all the art can be sold. Scott says pieces received directly from the family of Mary Prendergast... and, some Roger Tory Peterson prints cannot be sold -- and will not be sold. She says there are others that could be sold... and, that's where the board has to make a decision. Scott believes the paintings that were bought after Mary Prendergast, and the rest of the family, died would ideally remain in the library. But, that may not be practically possible now. Scott says the library has run deficits for each of the past 10 years... and, started 2015 with a $186,000 shortfall. She says a $98,000 foundation grant has helped cut that to just under $100,000. Otherwise... Scott says they just cut spending where they can. Scott adds that new capital projects Are mostly paid for by state construction grants.
Chautauqua Belle runs aground after high winds, rough water, pushes it towards shore in north end of Chautauqua Lake...
High winds and rough waters pushed The Chautauqua Belle into shallower waters... and, the steamship became stuck in mud early last Saturday night with nearly 75 passengers on board. Sheriff Joe Gerace says his officers, and the department's WET Team were called to Chautauqua Lake... near Point Chautauqua... shortly before 6:30 PM. Gerace says a citizen was already helping to get passengers off the boat when they... and, several nearby fire departments were called to the scene. He says five fire departments, his department's Water Emergency Team and some private individuals helped evacuate people on the Belle. They were then transported by Chautauqua Suites vehicles to where the Belle is docked near Lakeside Park in Mayville. Gerace says a wedding party of some 72 people were on board when the incident occured. No one was hurt. Gerace says the Belle was stuck about 100 yards off shore near the We Wan Chu Cottages... just north of Chautauqua Institution. He says volunteers from Chautauqua... Mayville... Dewittville... Bemus Point... and, the Ashville fire department's assisted at the scene to assist with evacuation. He says some private boats also helped move the Belle from where it got stuck. There was no damage reported to the vessel.
Fire damages home in Dunkirk early Sunday morning...
The investigation is continuing into the cause of a fire that occurred early Sunday morning at 737 Main Street in the city of Dunkirk. Crews were alerted to an electrical problem about 4:30 a.m., and saw smoke coming from the basement when they arrived on the scene. Firefighters spent about 90 minutes and were able to confine the flames to the basement. No injuries were reported. No official cause has been determined yet. An engine from Fredonia stood by during the incident.
Cuomo calls for $15 an hour minimum wage in wake of his wage board giving final okay for $15 minimum for fast food workers...
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is calling for a $15 an hour minimum wage... a proposal guaranteed to face substantial opposition and one even supporters view with some skepticism. Cuomo announced the idea during a labor rally late last week with Vice President Joe Biden. The remarks came after Cuomo's administration formally approved a phased-in $15 minimum for fast-food workers. That increase didn't require legislative approval because it was recommended by a state Wage Board created by Cuomo. Passing a broader $15 wage would be much harder. The Republican-led Senate remains steadfastly opposed and Cuomo's own spokeswoman earlier this year dismissed New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's $13 wage proposal as a ``non-starter.'' Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins says Democrats ``look forward'' to the debate but noted that she's heard similar promises before.
