Leathers to retire as BPU General Manager in early 2026...
The man who has headed up the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities the past 17 years has announced his retirement at the beginning of next year. In a printed release this morning... the BPU also announced it will being a search for General Manager Dave Leathers replacement shortly. Leathers has served as the BPU's GM since March of 2008... and, plans to retire in January of 2026. Prior to his current position... he was Interim General Manager and Deputy General Manager for the Electric Division. He has worked for the utility since December of 2005... and, later replaced Wally Haase as GM. Leathers is president of the New York Association of Public Power... and, is also a member of the American Public Power Association national board, it's executive committee and CEO Climate Change-and-Generation Policy Committee. In his previous NYAPP role... he was honored by the state Power Authority as one of two primary people taking part in negotiations between NYPA, NYAPP and the Municipal Electric Utilities Association of New York State... and, his work helped the BPU and other similar operations in New York secure a new, long-term contract extension with NYPA for hydropower commitments through September of 2040.
City Council approves hiring new plow truck driver and one recently involved in DWI accident is terminated...
The city of Jamestown has moved ahead to hired a new streets laborer in the Department of Public Works after having to terminate a plow truck driver recently involved in an accident. The City Council last night unanimously approved the move since 37 year-old Jerremy Dossey had lost his license... and, cannot perform his duties. Mayor Kim Ecklund adds, though, that Dossey's court case has not been finished. However... since Dossey refused a chemical test after the incident... his license was automatically suspended, so he cannot drive legally. Dossey's plow truck struck a street sign on the city's northside back in mid-January... and, he then allegedly left the scene of the accident. City police say a witness followed the truck to a local convenience store after the accident... which occured at the intersection of Buffalo Street and Beechview Avenue. Officers tried to stop the truck, but it kept going for several blocks. Dossey allegedly failed field sobriety tests and was taken into custody without incident. However... he refused to take a chemical test... and, was charged with DWI and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.
Plans to construct amphitheater and welcome center at Memorial Park in Dunkirk will soon receive public input...
A project to construct an amphitheater and welcome center at the eastern end of Dunkirk's Memorial Park is in its very early stages, and with that, the city plans to hold community forums for citizens to give their input. That from City Planning and Development Director Vince DeJoy, who gave an update during last week's Common Council meeting. DeJoy says they'll meet with veterans and community stakeholders to lay out plans for the project... including veterans and others. Meanwhile... Deputy Planning and Development Director E.J. Hayes recently floated the idea of bringing the city's King Neptune statue to be a part of the welcome center. Fourth Ward Councilwoman Nancy Nichols says that statue would have to remain in a controlled environment because it can't be left in the elements, and they want to protect it from vandalism. The statue, which used to be located in Washington Park, is currently on loan at the SUNY College at Fredonia. The city recently received a $1.6 million state grant for the project.
County BOE announces start of circulation petitions for elected office in 2025...
Today is the day the petitioning process for the 2025 election cycle begins today in New York state... and, Chautauqua County. That from the county's Board of Elections and the Sheriff’s Office... who add the door-to-door process of getting signatures runs through Thursday, Apr. 3. Democratic Elections Commissioner Luz Torres says "each year... candidates must collect signatures from registered voters in the area they are seeking to run and for the party they are circulating petitions for." Republican Commissioner Nacole Ellis adds that -- "collecting signatures is a crucial step in getting candidates on the ballot for elections. It ensures that candidates have a baseline level of support from the community before they can officially run for office." Sheriff Jim Quattrone adds that -- "each year, there are volunteers that work hard to get candidates Elected to local offices. We want to let the public know that this process will be happening, to lessen the potential confusion and concern regarding this process." For more information... go on-line to votechautauqua.com.
Marino named as new Assistant principal at Jamestown's Jefferson Middle School...
The Jamestown School Board has approved the appointment of a new assistant principal at Jefferson Middle School who has a "wide range of administrative experience." Assistant JPS Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and School Improvement, Tina Sandstrom, says Nicole Marino has been brought on to be part of the administrative staff at Jefferson. Sandstrom says Marino "brings a wealth of experience to this new position and we look forward to seeing her collaboration with the students, staff, and families at Jefferson.” Marino served four years as an assistant principal... and one as principal at the Sherman Central Schools... and, before that... she was a teacher for 23 years at Randolph Academy... spending the last three years as the building’s assistant principal.
