Flanigan enters treatment program for alcohol addiction issue...
The Republican minority leader of the New York state Senate will miss the start of the 2019 legislative session to get help with alcohol dependency. Senator John Flanagan first announced that he had sought help with his drinking back in 2017 and said Friday that he recognized he needed additional help. Local State Senator Cathy Young... one of the minorities leaders... says "it takes great courage and strength to recognize when an addiction has a dangerous grip on one’s life and to seek outside help in combatting the problem." Senator Joseph Griffo will lead the Republicans in the Senate when the session begins Wednesday. Flanagan is expected back in a few weeks.
Borrello respondes to Empire Center report on job losses in Chautauqua County over past 10 years...
Chautauqua County lost the second-largest percentage of private sector jobs in New York state between 2008 and 2018. That from a recent study by the Empire Center of New York... which shows the county lost 13.2-percent of it's workforce during that 10 year stretch. County Executive George Borrello is not disputing those figures... but, adds there are a number of factors -- or "scapegoats" involved here... starting with the "Great Recession" in 2008. He says, though, further job losses will be over lack of a skilled workforce... and, he says that's why he and his administration are focusing on that. Borrello says some of the other factors involved in job losses have been high taxes... and loss of population. The highest rate of jobloss was seen in rural Delaware County in Eastern New York... where job losses during that 10 year period were just over 18-percent. Borrello says... given what employers have told them... they will continue to push ahead in developing a stronger workforce in the region. He made his comments for this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the Media One Radio Group of stations.
National Comedy Center putting in final push to win USA Today vote on "Best New Attraction..."
The final push is underway to get the National Comedy Center to win USA Today's national competition for the "Best New Attraction" in the nation. That from Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson... who says they were in first-place before rankings went "dark" a few days ago. USA Today decided to do that to keep from influencing the final vote tallies... which will be taken through next Monday, Jan. 7. Gunderson says the winner is determined by public vote... and you can do that once each day by going on-line to wwwcomedycenter.org/vote. She says the Comedy Center is one of 10 new attractions in the running for this year's title. She says people can vote once each day between now and the end of the contest. Gunderson says you don't have to give any information... you just vote. She says you can do that once each day between now and next Monday afternoon at 12 p.m. Gunderson says winning the competition would given them... and, the entire region... a major boost as tourism attractions.
Apthorpe says Jamestown schools are ready for 2019...
The Jamestown Public Schools had a fantastic 2018 year. Those are the feelings of District Superintendent Bret Apthorpe.... who praised School Board and staff members for their hard work in planning for 2019, particularly for the new Rogers Success Academy. Apthorpe says, right now, they are working on the operational part of the academy, and working with various service providers to help them. He says the former Rogers Elementary School is the newest building in the district, and will open next fall to address poor attendance as well as students who have experienced trauma. He says specifically, they are going to look into factors such as domestic issues, and even homelessness. Apthorpe says the district is working with the city on considering a partnership by adding community gardens and playgrounds at Allen Park.
Reed one of only three Republicans voting in favor of House Rules...
Local Congressman Tom Reed was one of only three House Republicans who voted in favor of the new, Democratic rules package for the new Congress. Reed did not vote for Nancy Pelosi for House Speaker, but, said he was happy to bring some bi-partsian support to new rules that will allow more "grass-roots" legislation to be voted on. Reed says approving the legislation is part of the bi-partisan "Problem Solver's Caucus" legislation that was a condition for approving the new House leadership. Those rules were approved 234-to-197.
