Quattrone expresses concern over criminal justice reforms in New York state...
Local police agencies are gearing up for the criminal justice reforms that were included in the recently approved New York state budget. Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone says he participated in a meeting that was held this week with some of the local police chiefs... and, Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson... to discuss some of the changes that will go into effect in January. Among the concerns... says Quattrone... is the elimination of cash bail. In his opinion... he feels it's going to allow some people back onto the street who should not be there. Quattrone, who took office in January, says that some of the policy changes are already being phased in by some of the courts... and, they've been starting to see some of those offenders out, and commiting crimes again. He says that makes their jobs more difficult. Quattrone says there are some exceptions when it comes to the elimination of cash bail, but he says they are limited. He says there is not much that can be done about the changes that were approved by Governor Andrew Cuomo and state lawmakers last month.
Geise says REDC has started Consolidated Funding Application process...
The ninth-round of the New York State Regional Economic Development Council initiative has been launched. Deputy Chautauqua County Executive for Economic Development Mark Geise says there are a couple ways the county's Department of Planning and Development is assisting interested business, organizations and municipalities with the State Consolidated Funding Application -- or CFA. Geise says that includes getting the word out, and secondly is offering assistance to those entities who would like to apply for the funding. He says in 2018 nearly 50 applications were submitted... and, 22 projects were funded at just over $6-million. He adds he would like to see an even higher number this year.
Zemsky resigns as CEO for Empire State Development...
The Cuomo administration's top economic development official is stepping down. Empire State Development says Friday that Howard Zemsky will relinquish his duties as president and Chief Executive Officer of the state's main economic development agency. Zemsky will remain with the ESD as chairman of the board and will help in the search for his successor. State officials say there's no timetable for naming his replacement.
Borrello says he's ready for Primary race for State Senate, end will continue through end of the year as County Executive...
Chautauqua County's top-elected official says he will remain on the job... but, will be doing some traveling across the 57th State Senate District over the next couple of months. County Executive George Borrello has already hit the ground running in trying to win a primary vote for the Republican nomination to run for the seat vacated by Cathy Young. Borrello says his campaign has had to moblize quickly because of the new state elections laws... but, adds that many of the issues he's touted as County Executive also reasonate across the district. He says they're led by agriculture, and he says his message is being well-received. As for his current job... Borrello says he will remain as county executive through the end of the year... and, he plans to advance a number of projects that are underway. This is not the first time a County Executive has run for higher office while holding the county's top-elected post. Former Executive Greg Edwards ran for Lieutenant Governor with Carl Paladino when Paladino ran against Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2010.
Flu season not over, says NYS health officials...
New York health officials say the influenza season isn't over yet but flu is no longer prevalent in the state. State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker says that means health care workers who aren't vaccinated against the flu are no longer required to wear masks in areas where patients are typically present. Zucker declared influenza prevalent in the state on December 20th. Flu activity peaked during the week ending Feb. 23, 2019, when more than 9,600 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported in one week. Health officials say that as of last weekend, there were nearly 107,000 lab-confirmed cases of influenza and more than 18,000 hospitalizations during the flu season. Six children died from the illness.
New legislation approved to deal with children's Lemonade stand flap...
A dispute last summer over whether a 7-year-old boy had the proper permits to operate a lemonade stand has prompted legislative action in New York. A bill introduced this year in Albany would clarify the law to exempt stands run by children 16 or younger from needing a state permit. Last July... a state health inspector shut down 7-year-old Brendan Mulvaney's stand in Ballston Spa because he lacked a permit. State officials said vendors at a nearby county fair had complained. Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo intervened and directed health officials to ensure Brendan's stand reopened and the health department later apologized.
