Resident urges city to bring back JPD "Nuisance Officer" when warmer months arrive...
The Jamestown Police Department's Nuisance Officer program is no longer in place... and, city lawmakers and Chief Tim Jackson hope it's only temporary. The issue was raised during public comment at last night's City Council Work Session by resident Doug Champ... who called the program a "major upgrade" for the city. Champ feels city leaders need to keep the program in place... and, he wants the community to understand that hopefully lost of the nuisance officer "will be short-term." Chief Jackson says the program has been temporarily halted due to manpower issues... with rank-and-file officers now numbering 58 in the department. The city has budgeted for 62 police officers in 2025... and, Jackson said he recently talked with one prospective candidate... and, there are six more interviews this week. Ideally... the chief says he would like to have 65 officers to patrol during the day.
State awards Chautauqua County with just over $24-Million grant for Phase-2 of South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer expansion project...
New York State has awarded Chautauqua County with a $24.2-million grant to support the second-phase of the South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District expansion project. District Executive Director Tom Walsh says the funding... a portion of which is coming from the bi-partisan, federal Infrastructure Act, will enable the completion of municipal sewer service along the west side of Chautauqua Lake. Walsh says it'll benefit nearly 900 homes and businesses and divert about 60-million gallons of wastewater annually to the South & Center Wastewater Treatment Plant in Celoron. Back in September... the sewer district approved a $16.9-million bid from J.D. Northrup Construction to extend the sewer district from Stow to Prendergast Creek, located on the southern side of the Chautauqua Institution. The expansion represents a significant step forward in the county's efforts to protect the lake’s ecology and safeguard local water wells from contamination. Walsh says -- "this expansion represents a significant investment in protecting the Chautauqua Lake watershed. By replacing outdated septic systems with advanced infrastructure, we’re taking a crucial step to preserve water quality and safeguard the environment for future generations.”
Salvation Army of Jamestown about $10,000 behind in Red Kettle Campaign with a week to go...
The Salvation Army of Jamestown's annual Red Kettle Campaign is about $10,000 behind in reaching it's 2024 campaign goal with a week to go in the effort. That from Major Kim Merchant... who says they're busy trying to fill bell-ringing slots through 6 p.m. a week from today, which is Christmas Eve. The Red Kettle Campaign is the Salvation Army's main fundraiser for the year... and, helps to support their food pantry... women's domestic violence program... and, others. If you have some time to spare... and, would like to ring the bells... call the Kelly at the Salvation Army at 664-4108.
Holiday Holiday brings in $12,000 and several tons of food for St. Susan's Center...
The 12th annual Holiday Haul to benefit the Jamestown-area's largest soup kitchen was another success this year... with more than $12,000 raised over the nearly three-day event. That from St. Susan's Center Director Cheri Rowland... and, Holiday Haul Organizer Dan Keefe... who added that they also collected nearly 7,000 pounds of food. The haul got off to a bit of a slow start with last Thursday's Winter Storm... but, picked up on Friday and Saturday. Keefe recognized the many volunteers who helped out... including the "Diamond Dogs" U16 team... which collected items from the other teams in their league... along with Cheri Rowland from St Susan's... some Cummins employees... and, friends Mike Little, Jeff Seeley, and Dan Burns. This is the second year that Keefe has headed up the Holiday Haul... taking over from Keith Martin. He calls it a "gratifying" effort. Keefe also thanked the many sponsors involved... including Jamestown Mattress... Jamestown Awning... Epic Floats and Wellness on Foote Avenue... the Cycle Shop... and, media sponsor the Media One Radio Group.
Voters in Fredonia school district approve proposition-one of capital improvement project, but, reject propositions two and three...
The Fredonia Central School District's proposed $51.7-million capital improvement project received only partial approval from district voters last Friday. According to unofficial totals released by the district... Proposition 1 for building maintenance was approved, 980-768... while propositions 2 and 3 were both rejected. The vote on Proposition 2 for music program upgrades, was 701-1,044, and Proposition-three for athletic upgrades was turned down 510-1,235. With those results... the total cost of the project that will move forward is $22.1 million with a 1.9% tax increase.
Gillibrand expresses concern over Assad regime being overthrown in Syria...
There's been joy and jubilation in the day's following the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad... with thousands taking to the streets. However... there has also been the uncovering of just how brutal the former dictator and his family's regime was. However... with a new government still taking shape... there's hope that it won't be as bad... or worse... than Assad. Among those expressing concerns is U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York... who says the loss of Assad "is not a terrible thing." However... she adds that there's a lot of uncertainty in what kind of government will take shape there. The A-P reports the leaders of the insurgency that toppled Assad, Ahmad al-Sharaa, appeared in a video message in which he congratulated "the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution."
