State Legislature approves pot legalization, still working on getting budget bills out...
Both chambers of the New York state legislature have now approved legalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana and eventually allow marijuana sales to people over the age of 21. The measure was first approved in a party-line vote in the State Senate... then later by the Assembly late Tuesday. However... local Assemblyman Andy Goodell says it will still be another year to two before administrative guidelines and rules and regulations are set forth. Legislative leaders will now send the bill to Governor Andrew Cuomo.... who has 10 days to approve or veto a bill once it lands on his desk, otherwise, the bill becomes law. He has said he will sign it. Goodell voted against the measure... due to it's potential impacts on youth, and because it does little to address the potential problems with driving while under the influence. As for the new budget... the Jamestown-area Republican says it's no likely going to be on-time... but, it should be completed by next week. No deal has been announced on a spending plan by either the governor or state legislature leaders. The 2021-2022 spending plan is due by Midnight tonight. Governor Cuomo has said much of what the budget looks like will be dictated by federal COVID Stimulus aid.
JPS Board approved $86-million capital improvement project...
The Jamestown School Board has approved putting a five-year, $86.5-million Capital Improvement Project up for a public vote on Tuesday, May 18. The board last night approved the project... which would be reimbursed at a rate of 98-percent by New York state. Board President Paul Abbott says the district has saved the remaining 2-percent needed to fund the local share, there would be no local tax impact. Abbott says there are three goals for the project; modernizing classrooms and student spaces, improving safety and security, and maintaining our investment in our school buildings. He says the board "understands the importance of being forward-thinking in ensuring that our district's buildings and infrastructure stay up-to-date but that we also do it in the most cost-effective way for our community."
City Council agrees to new, three-year contract with JPD officers...
The Jamestown City Council has approved a tentative, three-year contract with the union representing rank-and-file police officers. Lawmakers voted 7-0 Monday night, with Councilman Jeff Russell recusing himself, to approve the agreement. Mayor Eddie Sundquist says he's "estatic" to have the contract worked out with the Kendall Club-PBA. Sundquist says union members will receive 2-percent wage hikes for each year, 2018 through 2020. However, they will pay more for their health insurance. He says their contributions would increase from 19-to-21 percent... but, there will be no retroactive payments. Sundquist says there will also be a change for new hires in the Jamestown Police Department... and, they will go under the city's new "hybrid" health plan which has lower premiums, and higher deductables. He did caution, though, that his administration still has a lot of work yet to be done on a 2021 contract with the police union. Councilman Russell resuced himself from Monday night's vote because he is a recently retired JPD officer.
Westfield area woman praised for helping save man who fell into Barcelona Harbor Monday night...
A Westfield area resident is being credited for taking quick action to save the life of an elderly man who fell into the frigid waters of Lake Erie near Barcelona Harbor Monday night. The Westfield Fire Department responded to the call around 6:15 p.m., and Fire Chief Chris Reese says the man was feeding the ducks when he slipped and fell into the water. Reese says the man was in obvious trouble, and Mia Goot jumped in to bring him to the surface and yell for some help. Jamie Jaynes, Captain of the Fire Department's Rescue Squad, says Goot reacted quickly and jumped into the bone-chilling water. He says the man was just moments away from either drowning or dying from hypothermia. Alissa Carter, who was visiting the pier from Mayville, was able to call 911 and first responders came to the scene. The man was transported to Westfield Memorial Hospital for evaluation and was later released.
Nearly one-third of County adults have had at least one COVID19 vaccine shot...
Nearly one-third of all Chautauqua County adults have received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. However... there were still 38 new cases of the coronavirus over the past day. That from the county's Health Department... which says 12 of those cases were in the Jamestown 14701 zip code. Officials say there have now been 8,220 confirmed cases... and, 7,917 have now recovered. They add there are 161 active cases, and two remain hospitalized. Health officials say 34,528 adults have now received the first dose of the vaccine... while 18,268 are now "fully vaccinated."
Teresi remembers Vickye James as administrative team member, city council member...
The late Vickye James was one of the first persons appointed to former Mayor Sam Teresi's administration after he was elected in 1999. Teresi says the news of James passing last Saturday night was "devastating news" that's left a "hole in my heart." He says he first really got to know Vickye James in the early 1990s when he was city Development Director... and, she headed up the Jamestown Community Schools Program. Teresi was so impressed by James' work with children and the community he asked her to become his Youth Services Director.
