Hochul gives first State of the State Address after being elected Gov...
New York Governor Kathy Hochul stressed her commitment to public safety during her first State of the State Address since becoming the first woman elected to the post. Hochul pledged Tuesday to expand beds in psychiatric treatment facilities and to again tackle the politically sensitive issue of bail reform. The wide-ranging speech also unveiled her plan to create more affordable housing by spurring the creation of 800,000 new homes over the next decade. Hochul says she wants to make New York safer and more affordable. She also said there would be no tax increases... but, wants lawmakers to look at tying the state's Minimum Wage to the rate of inflation.
City lawmakers discuss shortfall in ARPA funding for senior housing improvement program...
Another $1-million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for the city of Jamestown's Senior Housing Improvement Program is still apparently not enough. That's according to figures given to the City Council's Housing Committee. Committee Chairwoman Marie Carrubba says there have been 302 total requests for just over $1.8-million. However... there's only $1.5-million -- total -- allocated. During last night's Council work session... President Tony Dolce said it was his understanding that the additional $1-million would cover all the eligible projects. Dolce says the ones that weren't going to be funded were not eligible for it. However... Carrubba reported that there were 63 projects... totaling $472,000... that can't be funded at this point. She says there were another 54 projects added since the late report. Some councilmembers recalled that they were told in October that another one-million dollars needed to be added to make the program whole, and cover all the eligible projects. However... Mayor Eddie Sundquist recalled there was a request for another $1.3-million. Sundquist says he'll meet with City Assessor Lisa Volpe to discuss the matter... and, report back to the City Council soon.
Jamestown lawmakers also discuss possible changes to Senior Tax Exemption...
The Jamestown City Council is considering a change in senior income levels for them to qualify for an exemption on their city, school and county taxes. The matter of raising the level to $19,000 a year for city and school taxes, and $22,000 for county taxes was discussed during council's Finance Committee meeting. Chairwoman Kim Ecklund says she asked City Assessor Lisa Volpe for more information on the impact... and possibly doing it in steps. Ecklund says the council stopped the steps about a decade ago because it was having a "significant" financial impact on the city's tax roles. She and Councilwoman Marie Carrubba agreed the exemption needs to be looked at now because of the recent, significant increase in the "Cost of Living" adjustment for Social Security.
Teen involved in Ellicott shooting death, arraigned, being held pending preliminary hearing...
A Town of Ellicott teen has been formally arraigned on a second-degree murder charge after allegedly shooting and killing another man during an incident in the town late last Friday night. Ellicott Town Police say Chautauqua County dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call from 2256 Willard St. Ext. about 10 p.m. for a report of a person being shot at the residence. Ellicott and Jamestown Police responded... and, found the victim, 57 year-old Scott Blake... dead from a gunshot wound. Officers say the Chautauqua County District attorney’s office, Ellicott Police detectives, and members of the county's Forensic identification team secured the scene. They then obtained a search warrant to look for evidence. Once completed...18 year-old Tucker Richard was arrested... and, taken to the county jail. He's been held pending a preliminiary hearing.
Wendel talks goals for 2023...
Economic development was among the major happenings at the forefront in 2022 in Chautauqua County... and, will remain such in 2023. That from County Executive P.J. Wendel... who says there were a number of projects in the north county that received funding from New York State... the American Rescue Plan... and, elsewhere to get jump-started in the past year. Wendel says there's $4.75-million for projects including the White Inn rehabilitation, Silver Creek school apartments, and new use for the former Welch's building in Westfield. County Economic development officials are also hoping to see the redevelopment of the former Furniture Mart Building in Jamestown get underway in 2023. Small projects include park upgrades in Mayville and Celoron. This year... Wendel hopes to see progress made on some other fronts... including the expansion of broadband availability. He says they want to find the gaps... and, use ARPA and Infrastructure funding to help fill those gaps. He made his comments for last weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.
City man arrested after 3-year-old is found wandering in Jamestown street...
A call to check on the well-being of a 3-year-old child on Jamestown's southside last weekend has led to the arrest of a city man. Jamestown police were called to the scene about 12:30 p.m. Saturday to check on the 3-year-old. Officers say they had a report the child was outside for an extended period of time, unsupervised, with inadequate clothing for the inclement weather. Police were also told that the man living at the address... 41 year-old Rick Coy... had an active JPD warrant for his arrest for endangering the welfare of a child. They were able to locate Coy... and, took him into custody... and, he was charged with a second count of endangering the welfare of a child.
