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WJTN News Headlines for Feb. 27, 2018

City officials have been able to negotiate new terms for a Jamestown Local Development Corporation loan to developers of the new DoubleTree by Hilton hotel on West Fourth Street...  
 
Following last night's vote, which came after some discussion, Mayor Sam Teresi noted that the move also prevented a considerable loss of tax revenue because the Hamister Group (which is developing the project) was able to get the property's assessment lowered from $3.3-million to $1.8-million dollars.
 
Teresi says a recent State Court ruling challenging the assessment went in favor of the Hamister Group on the former Ramada Inn.  City Development Director Vince DeJoy says he and Corporation Counsel Marilyn Fiore-Lehman began re-negotating terms of the $350,000 JLDC loan, which was initially approved in May of 2016.  DeJoy says terms were set to give Hamister incentives to stay at the location for 10 years.  The city council had to approve the JLDC loan because it was for more than $100,000 and approval by lawmakers is required.  The new assessment is to be filed March 1.
 
 
There was some confusion that had to be cleared up prior to last night's vote on the revised loan to the Hamister, or H&H Jamestown Group...  
 
That was partly due to the fact that final terms of the loan weren't finalized until last Friday night, after the pre-filed resolution had gone out to councilmembers and the media.  With that, Councilwoman Kim Ecklund says a dummy resolution was filed to hold that space in the agenda for last night.
 
However, new Councilman Andrew Liuzzo said he had not received the new information and questioned the legitimacy of the action being taken.  He moved to table the measure.  However, lawmakers voted 8-to-1 with Liuzzo voting no to go ahead with a vote.  Mayor Teresi said the information, and new resolution were sent out by Development Director Vince DeJoy, but he said they could table the matter if they wished.
 
 
In this week's New York state government news, state lawmakers are returning to the Capitol to begin their push to pass a new state budget by April 1...  
 
Legislators will be back in session Tuesday after a week off for winter break.  There's one final budget hearing scheduled on environmental protection before the Senate and Assembly begin working on their own budget proposals.  Those recommendations will be the basis of negotiations with Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo.
 
 
The changes being proposed for the Chautauqua County Planning and Economic Development Department are being made to allow it and the Industrial Development Agency to work more "hand-in-hand"... 
 
That from County Executive George Borrello who announced the hiring of former County Deputy Planner Mark Geise to be the new Deputy County Executive for Economic Development.  In addition, Deputy Director of Planning and Development Don McCord will have the new position of Director of Planning and Community Development.  As in business, Borrello says your economic development efforts have to adapt and evolve.
 
Both Geise and McCord say they look forward to working with each other again.  Geise worked with the county from 2009 through part of 2016.  Current IDA Board Chairman Mike Metzger says he too is excited that Geise is back with the county... where he headed up the creation of the Chautauqua County Landbank.  Geise was also instrumental in developing the county's new Comprehenive Plan, "Chautauqua 20/20," a few years ago.  He begins his new economic development duties with the county next week.
 
 
The name of the victim in a fatal car crash on Route 20 -- just over the Chautauqua County line in Erie County -- has now been released...  
 
The Erie County Sheriff's Office says 64 year-old Eugene Bauer of Brant died in the two-vehicle accident on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation last Saturday afternoon.  The Sheriff's Office says the crash occured around 3:00.  Bauer was the driver of a vehicle that collided with a trailer being towed by a pickup truck in the northbound lane of Route 20.  Bauer was pronounced dead at the scene.  Sheriff Timothy Howard says the Crash Investigation Unit is still investigating the crash.  
 
 
A city teenager was arrested for allegedly stealing from a Falconer motel after attempting to flee police by jumping in the Chadakoin River early Sunday morning...  
 
Ellicott Town Police responded to the Budget Inn Motel on East Main Street shortly after 12:30 a.m. for a burglary in progress.  On arrival, officers say the 17 year-old suspect fled on foot towards the Falconer Fire Hall and jumped into the Chadakoin River.  Police say the teen was taken into custody after surrendering to officers with the assistance of K-9 Link.  The teen is accused of unlawfully entering a private bedroom belonging to the motel manager and stole several items from the room.  He was arraigned and sent to County Jail on charges of third-degree burglary, petty larceny, resisting arrest and obstruction.  Ellicott Police were assisted with State Police, Chautauqua County Sheriff's Deputies and Sheriff's K-9 in setting up a perimeter at the scene. 
 
 
A Chautauqua County native may wind up playing a part in designing the wedding dress for American Actress Megan Markle when she marries Prince Harry of England...  
 
Media One Group News has learned that Dunkirk native Amy Kuschel, who has run a wedding dress design business in San Francisco, was selected to do that by the local paper.  We recently spoke with Amy's Media and Marketing Director, Lauren Aranador, who says Amy-- a graduate from Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City-- has been designing clothing for women that is "minimal, with clean-lines" yet iconic and with mid-century charm.  Aranador says she chose a "trumpet silouette" design for Markle.  She says they have yet to hear from Markle and the Royal Family, but adds they would like to be chosen to design some part of the wedding ensemble.  We hope to hear from Amy herself soon.  Megan Markle's wedding to Prince Harry is scheduled for Windsor Castle in England on May 19.