City Council approves changes to public smoking ordinance to include smoking pot in public places...
The Jamestown City Council has approved adding a ban on marijuana smoking to the city's outdoor smoking ordinance. Lawmakers unanimously approved the change at Monday night's meeting. Council President Tony Dolce says city officials have seen a rise in complaints about people smoking pot in public locations... like parks. Dolce says that increase has coincided with changes to state law that allow recreational use of marijuana. He says there has been an uptick in complaints about that. While admitting it's a difficult ordinance to enforce... Dolce says it's important to lay down ground rules. He says -- if police see it happening -- violators will be ticketed. Specifically... the amended ordinance prohibits the use of tobacco, tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and cannabis or herbal cigarettes on property owned or leased by the City of Jamestown including streets, sidewalks, city parks, playgrounds, parklets, and parking lots. Those found in violation could be ticketed with fines of $50 for a first-time offense, $100 for a second offense and $250 for a third or subsequent offense.
Chautauqua Co. IDA approves more than $700,000 in loans to two local companies...
The Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency board has approved two low-interest loans to a pair of Jamestown-area businesses totaling just over $714,000. IDA Chief Executive Officer Mark Geise says the first... for just over $574,000... will be to Gren Ventures -- better known as the Arthur R. Gren Company on Mason Drive in the town of Ellicott. Geise says the private wholesale distributer of beer and non-alcohol products will use the loan to consolidate two existing loans dating back to 2013. That's when Gren built a 22,875 square foot building for its recycling and warehousing center. At the time, Gren Ventures received an Al Tech Loan from the CCIDA for the project, along with a bank loan. Since the bank notified the Grens that they would not be renewing their loan, the Grens were forced to find other financing to fill the void. The second loan was $140,000 for Ivory Acres in Frewsburg to help Cole and Rachel Smith buy the business from the current owners, John and Kelsey Volpe. It also includes the undertaking of some renovations. Ivory Acres was opened in 2018 by the Volpes after purchasing an 18-acre dairy farm on Ivory Street in Frewsburg a year earlier. Since 2018, it has operated as a successful wedding and event center, selling out each season.
Wendel: "Great to Hear" that former Lake Shore Hospital will be repurposed for mental health care...
Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel says acute and long-term mental health care is a critical need in the north county... and, with that... he says it's "great to hear" that there's a plan to repurpose the former Lake Shore Hospital facility in Irving. Wendel adds that having that kind of a facility would take some of the burden off local law enforcement. The Lakewood Republican cited the fact that UPMC Chautauqua Hospital in Jamestown is the only facility in the county that currently offers those services. With that... you have to take a couple of patrol officers, and a vehicle, off patrol to take the person to Jamestown. Wendel says the next step for the county is determining what Northeast Medical will need to help make their planned renovation happen. He says they'll "keep their "ears to the ground..." and, wait to "hear what they need." Northeast Medical announced its plan to repurpose the facility on Routes 5 and 20 last Thursday. The former hospital has been closed since early 2020.
Chautauqua Institution's 150th Anniversary season underway...
Chautauqua Institution is celebrating it's 150th anniversary this season... and a number of special anniversary events are planned as part of the nine-week season... which began last weekend. The focus of Week-One at the amphitheater is the "Evolution of the Modern American Presidency..." and, Chautauqua's new Director of Communications and Special Projects, Jill McCormack, says it's appropriate given the first presidential debate is this Thursday night. McCormack says the week started with a lecture from frequent Chautauqua visitor, lecturer, and Presidential Historian, John Meacham. On Wednesday... another political heavy-hitter was on hand. She says former Chief of Staff for former President George W. Bush, Andrew Card, was on hand to provide his views on the topic. The first of many entertainment highlights came over the past weekend... with a concert by Country Music superstar, Martina McBride. McCormack says it was an "impressive performance." Among the other highlights of Chautauqua's 150th Anniversary season will be an old-fashioned tent display and exhibit of what was originally used as shelters at the institution. The nine-week season continues through Aug. 25. For more information... go on-line to chq.org.
Latimer beats Bowman in NYC area Primary...
George Latimer, a pro-Israel centrist, defeated New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman on Tuesday in a Democratic primary that highlighted the party’s deep divisions over the war in Gaza. With the victory, Latimer has almost certainly ousted one of the most liberal voices in Congress and one of its most outspoken critics of Israel. Bowman has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have died in military strikes. Latimer is a former state legislator who has served as Westchester County executive since 2018.
