Borrello blasts new, late state budget as being another "bad budget" for the state...
Chautauqua County's State Senator says the now-approved 2023-24 state budget does not make New York "more livable or affordable." Sunset Bay Republican George Borrello says state leaders have said the past month that "the right budget is more important than an on-time budget." However... Borrello says "all the extra time did not produce ‘the right budget." He says it produced "another bad budget that, once again, ignores New Yorkers’ top concerns – affordability and public safety – and spends us into a fiscal death spiral." He says it increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for hospitals and nursing homes... but, says it's not enough. He says the GOP Minority tried to up that amount for nursing homes and hospitals, but, even in a $229-billion budget, "we still have people whose needs are not being met." Borrello adds that he's also not happy with the fact the budget includes a phasing-out of Enhanced Federal Medicaid Percentage -- or e-FMAP -- funding for counties. He says the budget does take out the full-intercept of that money in the governor's original budget.
Local school runs show majority receiving more state aid... but, four are getting reductions...
Even with a record $34.5-billion in the state budget for education... four school districts in Chautauqua County will see reductions in state aid in the new spending plan. The biggest winner in getting more aid is the Jamestown district... which will see last year's $77.7-million in aid increase by more than $8-million to $86.6-million. The four districts seeing reductions include: Chautauqua... Clymer... Bemus Point... and Ripley. The biggest cut -- $560,000 -- is to the Chautauqua District. Also in the Jamestown-area... Southwestern is seeing a $1.85-million increase to $17.9-million. Falconer is receiving $2.3-million more to $20.9-million... and, Frewsburg is getting $1.3-million more in state aid to $15.9-million. The school budget runs were provided Tuesday by State Assemblyman Andy Goodell.
JPS announces school budget, and board votes...
In addition to voting on a new budget and setting up a capital reserve fund on May 16... residents in the Jamestown Public School district will chose from four candidates for three school board seats. Two incumbants are seeking re-election... they are past presidents Paul Abbott and Christine Schnars. One incumbant... Shelly Leathers... is not seeking re-election. The two newcomers are retired JPS Human Resources Director John Panebianco... and, resident Missy Paterniti. Paterniti current works for Ballgame Heroes. The vote will take place from Noon to 9 p.m. at the three president's schools: Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson on Tuesday, May 16. The budget hearing will be held at 6 p.m. at Jefferson on Tuesday, May 9.
County Office for Aging Services celebrates 50th anniversary...
A capacity crowd was on hand today for the first of two celebrations of the Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services 50th anniversary. It also falls on the half-century mark for the federal, Older Americans Act, which established local offices for the aging. The first local celebration was held today at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron... and, featured several activites, and a catered lunch. Current Office for Aging Services Director Mary Ann Spanos says the Older Americans Act was actually approved by Congress in 1965... but, did not take effect until 1973. Spanos says the county immediately jumped on board, and established their local office once they were allowed to. Spanos is a member of the national board for aging... and, was recently in Washington, D.C. to help lobby Congress for more funding in the renewal of the Older Americans Act. She says more services have been required since the original act was approved... simply because people are living longer. The next 50th anniversary program will be held next Wednesday at the Clarion Hotel in Dunkirk from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information... call NY Connects at 753-4582.
Attempted murder case against Hadi Matar could go to trial by this Fall...
The New Jersey man accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie last summer at Chautauqua Institution could be facing trial sometime this Fall. County District Attorney Jason Schmidt says 25-year-old Hadi Matar, who is facing second degree murder and second degree assault in the August 12, 2022 stabbing, appeared in County Court on Tuesday for an omnibus hearing. Schmidt says there are some legal issues to resolve before the case can go to trial. Judge David Foley will schedule a Huntley hearing regarding some statements made by Matar immediately after the incident. Schmidt also indicated that the judge is going to review the various search warrant applications that resulted in the collection of certain items of evidence from Matar.
Two men from Dunkirk arrested in drug raid...
Two people from Dunkirk have been arrested following a late morning drug raid Tuesday at an apartment in the north county city. Sheriff's Department Narcotics investigators, along with Dunkirk Police, executed a search warrant at 131 Lakeshore Drive East... with the help of the SRT Team... about 10 a.m. They found two people inside... and, seized just over 12-grams of cocaine... and, 31-grams of fentanyl... along with 38.7-grams of crack cocaine... packaging material, scales and $642 cash. The two men... 43 year-old Ronnie Walker, and 48 year-old Kevin Hunt... face five counts each of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and one count each of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. Both men were taken to the Dunkirk Police Department and held pending arraignment in Dunkirk City Court.
