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News Headlines for Thurs., Dec. 22, 2016

County lawmakers approve new labor contracts for Sheriff's deputies and supervisors....
The Chautauqua County Legislature approved two tentative labor contracts during it's final meeting of 2016 in Mayville last night.  Lawmakers gave their backing to proposed agreements with the Deputy Sheriff's Association of Chautauqua County and the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Supervisors' Association by 12-to-7 votes.  They also approved proposals providing a 20-year retirement plan for both unions... also by 12-7 votes.  County Executive Vince Horrigan was pleased with the outcome and says it should provide savings to county taxpayers.  Horrigan says they looked at higher-deductable insurance, and lower wage increases.  He says they also found a 20-year retirement plan would "create additional savings."  While a number of legislators spoke in favor of the new contracts and the 20-year retirement plans for the two bargaining units, Jamestown Democrat Charles Nazzarro has concerns over the length of the contracts.  Nazzaro adds that while there are savings with "high-deductable" health care plans... premiums still increase.  In other action, legislators approved the appointment of Kitty Crow as the county's new Finance Director 19-to-0.  Wednesday night's meeting marked the final meeting for Jay Gould as Legislature Chairman.  Gould... who still has a year on his term... received a special commendation from lawmakers for his years of service as chairman.
 
 
Man severely burned in Gowanda apartment fire dies...
A Gowanda man has died after being seriously burned early yesterday morning in an apartment house fire in the village of Gowanda.  Gowanda Police and Fire units responded to the blaze at 23 West Main St. around 1 a.m. Wednesday.  Officials say the 56-year-old man, whose name has not been released, was trapped in his apartment where the fire started.  Police say he suffered second-degree burns over 80-percent of his body.  Officers and a Perrysburg firefighter found the victim laying face down on the floor.  He was rushed to Lake Shore Hospital and later flown to the Erie County Medical Center for treatment.  The apartment was extensively damaged.  Gowanda firefighters were assisted at the scene by the Collins, Perrysburg, and Dayton Fire Departments.  The cause is under investigation.
 
 
Morris further explains Jackson-Spring proposal, and reason behind decision on site...
An on-going need for clean, nice and affordable housing in the city of Jamestown is the reason a local not-for-profit organization is proposing a new development on the northside.  Citizen's Opportunity for Development and Equality Executive Director Pat Morris told that to city lawmakers at this week's council meeting during public comment on the $12-million Jackson Spring Housing project.  Morris was asked to speak when several questions and issues were raised about the proposal.  He says most Jamestown residents would be eligible to live there.  Morris says -- looking at the city's population -- more than 50-percent of the people living in Jamestown would be eligible to live in the apartments.  He says the housing would be modeled after CODE's successful Euclid Garden's -- also on the northside.  He says the apartments aren't necessarily for senior citizens, though they are welcome.  There would also be housing for people with disabilities.  The Jackson Spring development would be located just south of Euclid Gardens... and, between North Main and Spring Streets.  He says CODE conducted it's search in line with what city officials had laid out in the new Neigborhood Revitalization Plan.  He says they hope to house people who need it... and, adds they are tearing down eight dilapitated homes in that area. 
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Several people spoke at this past Monday's night's council voting session in favor of the Jackson-Spring proposal.  However... a few others spoke against it citing concerns mainly regarding crimin in the area.
 
 
Jamestown street among nominees for state and national Historic Place designation...
An historic street in Jamestown is one of 26 properties in New York state that has been nominated to the State and National Registers of Historic Places.  Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced the nominations of the properties, resources and districts by the New York State Broad of Historic Preservation.  The sites also include the Lakeview Avenue Historic District... which Cuomo says encompasses 219 properties... primarily residences... stretched along what was once "a rough, rural road in the early 19th Century."  Landing a place on the registers can help property owners and organizations secure preservation grants and historic rehabilitation tax credits from the state and federal governments.
 
 
Outcome of Sherman Dissolution vote comes down to absentees...
We'll have to wait until the Tuesday after Christmas to find out the final results of the dissolution vote in the village of Sherman.  The Chautauqua County Board of Elections reports that a total of 226 votes were cast during Tuesday's vote... in which 112 voted yes... 114 no.  However... there are nine absentee ballots that were issued with six being returned as of Tuesday.  Two affidavit ballots were also issued.  The absentee and affidavit ballots will be counted next Tuesday, December 27th at 11 AM.  The board is expected to certify the election later the same day.