Hoyt presents regional State of State Address in Jamestown...
Governor Cuomo has laid out an "ambitious agenda" with his State of the State address... but, he's committed to following through on the proposals he's made. That from a member of his senior staff who was in Jamestown today to present a "regional" State of the State message. Western New York President of Empire State Development, Sam Hoyt, was at the Robert H. Jackson Center to give the address. Hoyt's been involved in the START Up New York economic development effort to create 68 "tax free zones" in and around the state's colleges. He says the program is just starting up now... and, the head of it is very optimistic. Hoyt says she's received more than 5,500 inquiries from businesses that want to relocated to the zones. Hoyt was introduced by Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi... who says he liked the "tone" and delivery of the Governor's speech -- especially regarding property tax relief. Teresi says the goveror was "spot-on" in his remarks that the state will only be strong if it has strong local communities. That's why Teresi supports Cuomo's proposal to use part of the state's $2-billion surplus to help commmunities reduce their property taxes to a zero-percent increase. There are two incentives in the program. The first is the local government's budget must be below the state's 2-percent property tax cap... and, in the second year, the community must make significant progress in cutting spending through consolidation... or sharing of services.
Young says Cuomo's State of the State included items that were "great to hear..."
Chautauqua County's representative in the state Senate says it was "great to hear" Governor Cuomo's continued focus on the upstate region during his State of the State message this week. Olean Republican Cathy Young was in Albany for this week's address... and, says what Governor Cuomo said "mirrors" a lot of what Senate Republicans like her have been touting the past few years. Young was especially pleased to hear about tax relief efforts... and, help create jobs. She says she and the GOP coalition leadership are ready to "roll up their sleeves..." and, work with the governor to grow the economy and create opportunities for New York's young people so they can stay after graduating from high school and college... and, find jobs. Young adds that she's looking forward to "get a lot of positive results this year."
Salvation Army of Jamestown exceeds 2013 Red Kettle Campaign goal...
A strong, final two days for the Salvation Army of Jamestown's Red Kettle Campaign allowed the human service agency to not only meet... but, exceed their $100,000 goal. That from Salvation Army Captain John Merchant... who says they received about $15,000 in the final two days to wind up with just over $103,000. Merchant says they were "abundantly blessed" with a couple of big donations. One on the final day was for $4,000. He says a big part of why they were able to reach... and, exceed their goal was they had "lots of volunteers" to help man the kettles. He says some 450 people rang the bells this year at several locations in the Greater Jamestown-area. Merchant says meeting their goal allows them to continue programs that help the needy in our community.
