The two candidates seeking to replace retired New York state Senator Cathy Young in Albany sparred on a number of issues during their first -- and only face-to-face debate in Jamestown last night....
County Executive George Borrello -- the Republican candidate -- faced off again Freedom Democrat Austin Morgan during an hour-long forum at Jamestown Community College. Borrello says the most pressing issue in Albany is standing up to the "radial left" agenda of Governor Cuomo and the legislature.
On the other hand, Morgan -- a recent graduate of Cornell University -- says his background of having been raised by in a rural, middle class family, will bring a needed voice that Senate Majority Democrats need to hear.
Morgan, who was a Senate Aide at one time,spoke about the importance of having someone in the majority -- especially when it comes to budget time. However, Borrello pointed to his standing with local Congressman Tom Reed to finally get the state to begin working to repair the Thruway that runs through the Seneca Nation's Cattaraugus Reservation.
The candidate's forum at JCC's Weeks Reception Room began with a debate among the three candidates for Jamestown Mayor before a standing-room only audience....
Republican David Wilfong, Democrat Eddie Sundquist, and Liberterian candidate Andy Liuzzo addressed a number of issues, including the need to grow the city's tax base if it's to meet it's financial obligations. They also talked about the need to somehow fund the on-going operations at the financially-strapped Prendergast Library. More on that forum later today. In addition to the League of Women voters, the forums were also sponsored by the local chapter of the American Association of University Women, and the Political Science Club at JCC.
Now that early voting will begin in Chautauqua County a week from this Saturday... elections officials hope the added days will help boost turnout....
County Board of Elections Commissioners Norm Green and Brian Abram recently spoke about the early voting process and, Green says they hope that the addition of early voting will help get more voters out to the polls during an off-year election.
Abram says they won't know the impact of early voting for a few years. There will be three polling sites in the county that will be open during early voting, starting on Saturday, October 26th and continuing until the first Sunday in November. You can get more information about early voting from the Chautauqua County Board of Elections at Vote Chautauqua.com.
A 32 year-old woman was arrested for allegedly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident and drunk driving in the village of Celoron late Monday night...
Ellicott Town Police were called to the scene on West 5th and Allegheny Avenues just before 11:30 PM and, a witness reported seeing the female driver get out of the vehicle and leave on foot. On arrival, the woman ran from the scene and was found a short distance away. She was identified as Kylie Pavolko, and, was taken into custody on additional charges of felony DWI and aggravated unlicensed operator. Chautauqua County Sheriff's Deputies and Lakewood-Busti Police assisted in the investigation.
Officials at a regional school in Cattaraugus County that works with children who have mental and physical health issues has taken the wraps off a new, 6,900-suqare foot playground....
The $270,000 project at Randolph Academy Union Free School District was recently completed, and is now being used by district students. Randolph Academy School Superindent Lori DeCarlo says it's designed to help students overall well-being.
DeCarlo says the school board had antipicated the project coming, and the cost also includes some drainage work and a new retaining wall that had to be constructed before the actual playground could move forward. She says the firm's involved in the project got lots of input from students and teachers at the school when they created the playground. With it's special design and features, DeCarlo says the playground will not only provide students with some physical activity, but will help those with mental issues -- such as ADHD -- do better in class. The Randolph Academy is not affiliated with the Randolph Central Schools and, the playground is also available to the public outside of normal school hours.
The city and Allen Park Women's Club have now been able to make a much-needed upgrade to the kitchen building on the upper end of the park....
Mayor Sam Teresi and Allen Park Women's Club President Carol Drake recently hosted the unveiling of new playground equipment in that area of the park, as well as $17,000 in improvements for the kitchen facililty.
Mayor Sam Teresi says the women's club, along with a generous donation from the Zanetta family, and funding from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation helped finance the project. Teresi urges residents to support the Allen Park Women's Club when they do their fund-raisers -- namely selling refreshments during the Summer Concert Series. The new playground equipment in the upper end of Allen Park was unveiled to the public back on October 1st. The city put in about nearly 6-thousand dollars worth of parts and labor for both projects.
The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County has had a busy month since their initial kickoff and, has now reached 17-percent of their $1.33-million General Campaign goal....
Executive Director Amy Rohler says they reached that total thanks to their "Gamechangers" campaign, along with their annual "Scan Campaign" at Wegman's supermarket in West Ellicott. In addition, Rohler says Community Banks in the area presented a $4,000 check to the United Way, which doubles the amount the banks contributed to the campaign last year. She adds that they have already made several campaign presentations at local employers, including The Resource Center, Wegman's and Tops Markets. Rohler says staff is available to make presentations -- including their brief video -- at others, as well. For more information, call 483-1561, or go on-line to UwaysCC.org.
