City Council tables action on $100,000-plus JLDC ARPA Grants...
The Jamestown City Council has tabled action on three Local Development Corporation grants to businesses that total over $100,000 each. The grants would come from a $750,000 business assistance program using American Rescue Plan Act funding. Council President Tony Dolce says most lawmakers didn't receive the information on them until late last week... and, had questions about them, including what the money is being used for and the amounts themselves. City Development Director Crystal Surdyk says she understands the concerns about -- in some cases -- some of the same businesses requesting help. Surdyk says they want to see more businesses apply... but, understands that it can be difficult and time consuming to apply for grant monies. She adds there's also a 25% match involved. The smallest of the three grants... $108,000... would support a project at Summit Wealth Management. Another for just under $115,000 would go to Labyrinth Press Company... and the third -- for $167,000 -- would go to Panache Salon and Day Spa. Council will discuss the matter with JLDC members in mid-March.
Council approves applying for supplimental HOME ARPA Program funding...
The City Council last night also approved Jamestown's final plan to use just over $1.2-million in ARPA funding to rehabilitate rental properties. The action came following a required public hearing. Development Director Crystal Surdyk says the money will be doled out by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as a suppliment to the city's annual HOME funding allocation. Surdyk says the grants can be used for a number of projects... including a new roof, new siding or foundation repairs. She says owners can apply for up to $30,000 for three total units. However... the funding doesn't need to be used for any specific units. Surdyk says her department has been working on developing the program for over a year.
Man originally from Buffalo sentenced to 6 years in state prison on gun possession charge...
A man originally from Buffalo has been sentenced to six-years in state prison after pleading guilty last December to one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt says Judge David Foley Monday also gave 21 year-old Joel Coleman five years post-release supervision on the charge... for having a loaded firearm. Coleman was one of three people arrested in February of 2022 following an incident in which the trio allegedly exchanged gunfire with people in another car. No one was hurt in that incident. Coleman originally fled the scene... but, was later found with the gun... and, quantities of drugs in his possession.
Jamestown Community Chamber presents "Salute to the Finest" awards...
The Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce presented its annual ‘Salute to the Finest Awards’ at the Northwest Arena Monday night. Chuck DeAngelo, longtime attorney at Fessenden, Laumer & DeAngelo, was given the ‘Pride of Jamestown’ award. He’s currently in full remission from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. When he first received the diagnosis... it was like "getting punched in the gut." However... he says the e-mails and text messages of support started coming. DeAngelo says, “You won’t find another place like Jamestown” The ‘Legacy Award’ was given to the Post-Journal. Accepting for the newspaper’s 75 employees and 150 carriers was Publisher, Mike Bird. Bird says they've worked through the years to provide news" that is credible... you can trust... and, news of your neighbors, and friends" as they have for 197 years. The ‘Service to Humanity Award’ went to Patrick Smeraldo of Collaborative Children’s Solutions, organizers of the annual Labor Day Festival, the Christmas parade and many other events. D & S Glass was named ‘Business of the Year.’
City Democrats announce endorsements for Fall elections...
The Jamestown City Democratic Committee has now announced it's slate of endorsed candidates for city council and the Chautauqua County legislature. New Democratic Chairwoman Alyssa Porter says she's "really excited" about their line-up... headed up by incumbant Mayor Eddie Sundquist. Porters says they want to "build on the success" that Sundquist has had in the past four years. Porter says they have six people running for the nine-seats on council. She and Isaiah Rashad are running for at-large seats. The other candidates endorsed this past weekend include: incumbants Regina Brackman in Ward-Three and Marie Carrubba in Ward-Four. Kaycee Colburn is running in the Fifth-Ward... and, former Councilwoman Vanessa Weinert is running for the Sixth-Ward seat. Porter says that leaves one at-large candidate... and, candidates for Wards One and Two they're trying to fill. Democrats also announced they have endorsed incumbant County Legislator Billy Torres in District 9... Julie Jackson-Forsberg is seeking the District 10 seat... and, former legislator Fred Larson in District 12. Democrats are also endorsing the recently-appointed Tom Nelson in District 13. The committee also endorsed City Court Judge John LaMancuso to seek another term on the bench.
Wendel says NYSAC leaders in Albany expressing concern over Hochul's proposed budget...
The organization that represents counties across New York State is expected to take a strong opposing view of Governor Kathy Hochul's proposed 2023-24 budget. Chautauqua County Executive P-J Wendel is attending the New York State Association of Counties Legislative Conference that got underway in Albany Monday. The Lakewood Republican says most county officials from across the state are unhappy -- especially with a proposal to intercept enhanced FMAP 'Medicaid' funding to benefit the state. Wendel also pointed out that Hochul will not be attending the NYSAC during the three-day conference... which he called "very disappointing" because she has in the past.
