City Council hears from several department heads as 2025 budget deliberations begin...
The Jamestown City Council reviewed spending in several departments last night as deliberations over the 2025 city budget are underway.  City lawmakers are trying to find ways to at least reduce a projected 7.8% property tax increase.  However... they found very little to cut in the two largest departments.  Deputy Fire Chief Matt Coon says they'll have 68 firefighters in 2025.  However... while that should eliminate IMPACT payments by the city... Coon says the contract with the city firefighter's union expires at the end of the year... which means no wage increases outside of bonus, or step increases.  He says there will be 12 additional firefighters next year... the cost of which will be covered by grants.  City Police Chief Tim Jackson also noted that the contract with rank-and-file officers also expires at the end of 2024.  Council members expressed outrage that the city didn't realize just over $1-million in savings by having retirees go onto a Medicare Advantage Plan.  In addition to the police and fire budgets... the council also reviewed the City Comptroller... Assessor... City Clerk/Treasurer... Information Services... and, Mayor's budgets last night.

Council to vote next week on overriding state's 2% property tax cap...
The city council will vote next week on whether to exceed the state's 2% property tax cap for the 2025 budget.  Lawmakers on two committees last night approved the measure.  Finance Committee Chairman Brent Sheldon noted three years... 2014 through 2016... where they voted to exceed the cap.  However... they wound up not having to exceed it in 2014... when the tax levy increased by 1.8%.  Council President Tony Dolce emphasized that by approving the local law... that doesn't mean the city will exceed the tax cap.  Council is expected to vote on the measure next Monday night, and will also need a "message of necessity" from Mayor Kim Ecklund for the local law.

Matar denied change of venue request...
The New Jersey man accused of attacking and stabbing famed author Salman Rushdie at Chautauqua Institution in August of 2022 will be tried in Chautauqua County.  That after the Fourth Judicial Department of the state Court of Appeals denied Hadi Matar's motion for a change of venue in the case.  The ruling... which was handed down late last week... says "we conclude that the defendant has not met his burden of demonstrating that there is "reasonable cause to believe that a fair and impartial trial cannot be had" in Chautauqua County.  Jury selection was set to begin in the case last week... but, was postponed due to the motion filed by Matar's attorney, Public Defender Ned Barone.  The 26 year-old Matar is accused of jumped onto the Chautauqua Amphitheater stage... and, attacking Rushdie as he was get set to deliver a morning lecture.  Rushdie suffered permanent injuries in the attack... and, lost an eye because of it.

Jamestown man arrested for resisting arrest following fight...
A city teen has been arrested for resisting arrest after Jamestown police were called to a southside address to investigate an alleged fight.  City police were called to the unidentified scene just after 1 a.m. Sunday... and, when they arrived... made contact with the alleged suspect -- 19 year-old Tysean Mays.  Officers say during the investigation... Mays tried to flee on foot... but, he was caught after a brief foot pursuit... and, arrested.  Mays was taken to the city jail on the resisting arrest charge... and, was released with an appearance ticket.

Resa Rosen from TRC receives State Justice Center's "Code of Conduct" award...
 long-time employee of The Resource Center has received the New York State Justice Center's "Code of Conduct" award for protecting people with special needs.  TRC officials say Resa Rosen-Murray recently received the award during a ceremony at the center's Senior Adult Day Habilitation Program on Harris Avenue in Jamestown.  The Justice Center says those receiving the award "embody the Justice Center’s founding principles and ethical standards outlined in the Code of Conduct for Custodians of People with Special Needs.  Award recipients have upheld their commitment to helping help people “live self-directed meaningful lives in their communities, free from abuse and neglect, and protected from harm.”  Resa Rosen-Murray is a 44 year employee of The Resource Center... and supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in TRC’s homes and day programs.  Half of her career has been spent at TRC’s Senior Adult Day Habilitation Program in Jamestown, where she is a Direct Support Professional Lead.  Rosen-Murray is a strong advocate for the people she supports and will continue to push until a person’s needs are met.  She is the eldest daugher of former WJTN General Manager, the late Merrill Rosen.

Lifetree Cafe to host relationship experts...
The Lifetree Cafe in Falconer will be hosting a program designed to help make marriages and other relationships better Wednesday night.  The program, entitled "Conquering Conflict: Healthy Ways to Tackle Disagreements" will feature a film interview with Doctors Les and Leslie Parrott, whose work has been featured on CNN... and, Good Morning America.  Les Parrott says it's about "how we fight... not whether we fight."  They say those taking part will gain practical insights and skills into fighting fair.  The program begins at 5:30 p.m., and, admission is free.  Questions about Lifetree Cafe, located at 201 North Work St. can be directed to Pastor Mike Childs at 665-2008.