Wendel says NYS budget talks still going on, even though Hochul touted wins in new spending plan earlier in week...
There's a lot of confusion across New York state this week in the wake of Governor Kathy Hochul's announcement late Monday that a final, tentative budget agreement has been reached.  That from Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel... who says he's remained in contact with our two state legislative representatives... and, the New York State Association of Counties about what's happening.  Wendel is taking a "wait-and-see" attitude.  Wendel says he is pleased to see the longer period for the discovery process to take place in the courts... along with boosting the use of Kendra's Law.  That law is named after Fredonia's Kendra Webdale... who was pushed in front of a subway train in New York City in the 1990s by a mentally ill man, and killed.  However... Wendel adds the state -- in the 2024-25 budget -- exceeded spending by $17-billion... which is well beyond the 2% property tax cap that counties and local municipalities are required to abide by.  Wendel made his comments for this weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.

Sale of Hotel Lenhart in Bemus Point completed to William and Jill Curry...
The effort to reopen an historic hotel on Chautauqua Lake in Bemus Point has taken what development officials call a "major step forward."  The Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency has announced that ownershlp of the Hotel Lenhart officially transferred this afternoon to William and Jill Curry... doing business as Bemus Point Holdings, LLC.  With the transfer of ownership complete, the effort to redevelop and reopen the iconic building can now get underway.  IDA Chief Executive Officer Mark Geise says the effort to purchase and redevelop the Hotel Lenhart taken more than two-and-half years, with Chautauqua Lake Hospitality first announcing its intention to purchase the property in early 2023 from it's long-time owners.  That announcement came several months after a sale contract had been finalized in August 2022.  In February 2023, the project received support through a low-interest loan from the IDA.  A month later, the IDA's board approved additional incentives to support the project.  Then, in the summer of 2023, the project received additional support through New York State, with a $1.9-million grant from Empire State Development Consolidated Funding Application program.  With the transaction completed... the IDA says Bemus Point Holdings is now the owner of the building... while Chautauqua Lake Hospitality will manage the property.  In the past... the Lenhart only operated from Memorial Day to Labor Day... but, the Currys say they'll begin efforts to fully renovate the hotel and make it a year-round destination.  This major project will include installation of an elevator and other ADA compliant improvements, and the complete renovation of the guest rooms and common areas. 

Gillibrand slams Trump Administration for trying to dismantle Consumer Financial Protection Board...
New York's Junior U.S. Senator is slamming the Trump Administration for dismantling an agency she says will leave senior citizens -- and others -- vulnerable to financial fraud.  During a video press conference Thursday... Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, who is the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, accused Trump of trying to eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau... a federal agency that prevents Americans from getting scammed by big banks and corporations.  Gillibrand says... since being put in place by Congress in 2008... the CFPB has been very effective and has responded to millions of complaints each year.  She says more than $20-billion has been returned to American consumers, most of them Seniors.  She says a significant amount has also been returned to service members and veterans.  Gillibrand says Mr. Trump has attempted to fire nearly 90% of the agency’s staff, including all but one employee of the CFPB’s Office of Financial Protection of Older Americans. 

Annual "Cents for St. Susan’s" Campaign kicks-off this week...
The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities has kicked-off it's 26th annual “Cents for St. Susan’s” campaign at the St. Susan's Center in Brooklyn Square.  St. Susan's Executive Director Cheri Rowland and BPU Communications Coordinator Becky Robbins outlined the campaign Thursday morning... and, viewed plans for it's new location at the former Jamestown Business College... which is expected to open by the end of 2025.  Robbins says their bright yellow coin cannisters are now up at various stores and restaurants in the area to take your spare change.  She adds you can also put in paper dollars, and checks in there.  Robbins says their annual Hot Dog Sale will be held on Fri. June 20 just outside the BPU's Customer Service entrance.  Rowland noted that last year alone... the soup kitchen served nearly 53,000 meals... averaging about 175 meals per day for the needy in the community.  Robbins says St. Susan's recently served it's most meals of the year.  Robbins says last year's drive raised just over $35,000 and that hope to do as well with several involved sponsors, including: Judy and Steve McAllaster, Northwest Bank, The Robinson Law Office, Asplundh, Boyle’s Motor Sales, Century 21/Turner Brokers, Dan and Connie Evans, Falconer Printing & Design, Inc., Kwik-Fill, The Legend Group with Lou Deppas, National Fuel, R. Patti Excavating & Concrete, Robbins and Johnson Attorneys, Shults Auto Group, Slone-Melhuish Insurance, Store-N-Lock, Wendel, Weinberg Financial Group, Wright Calimeri, PLLC, Attorneys and one anonymous person.  Media sponsors include the Media One Radio Group Stations and The Post-Journal.