County Legislature narrowly approves $330-million, 2027 budget...
Chautauqua County lawmakers in Mayville have narrowly approved a 2027 budget that includes a slight tax levy increase... but, a tax rate reduction.  After some discussion about concerns over costs going forward... the legislature Wednesday night approved the $330-million spending plan in a 10-9 vote.  Westfield Republican Fred Johnson says he's concerned because spending in the past year's budget was $2-million dollars more than what came into the county.  Johnson adds that may increase to $10-million heading into 2027.  He believes the county should be doing more to cut costs.  Dunkirk Democrat Bob Bankowski says his excitement over County Executive P.J. Wendel's proposal to use $11.5-million in undesignated fund balance became tempered during budget talks.  He wanted to table the spending plan... and have the Audit and Control Committee further review the numbers.  Bankowski says that's why had pushed to have an amendment to the management benefit plan for county officers and employees tabled.  That tabling was approved.  However... Bankowski's proposal to table the budget was defeated 7-12.  The final budget increases the tax levy by $1.8-million by using less fund balance than Wendel proposed.  However... it would still lower the tax rate by 71-cents per $1,000.

Blakeman stumps at Lakewood Legion in his "Fire Hochul" campaign with Langworthy, Borrello and Molitor...
All campaign roads wound up in Lakewood Wednesday afternoon... first at a "Fire Hochul" Rally for Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Bruce Blakeman.  Incumbant State Senator George Borrello fired up the local base for the appearance by the Nassau County Executive at the Lakewood American Legion Post.  At his fourth-stop on a tour of the Southern Tier... Blakeman blased incumbant Democrat Kathy Hochul in a number of areas... including continuation of the state's "Sanctuary State" status for undocumented immigrants... which he says he will overturn by executive order on day-one.  Blakeman was joined for the Southern Tier campaign stops by incumbant Congressman Nick Langworthy... a frequent critic of Hochul's.  He says the Western New York Democrat has "abandoned" the region... and, he says she's not "Kathy from Buffalo anymore... but, Kathy from Brooklyn."  Blakeman adds that he will also move immediately to overturn the statewide ban on fracking across the state... noting that even Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro -- a Democrat -- has seen the benefits to his state from allowing it. 

Borrello and Molitor also on hand to rally the party faithful in Lakewood...
Republican state legislators were also on hand for the rally.  Senator George Borrello... who's from Sunset Bay... called next Tuesday's election the "most important of our lifetime" in New York because the state stands "on the brink."  Borrello says he's tired of talking to people whose children have moved out of state for better opportunities.  He adds the loss of population has also hurt the state's representation in Washington, D.C.  Each speaker talked about the high taxes and number of regulations in New York state.  Assemblyman Andrew Molitor of Westfield blasted the amount of Medicaid spending in New York... a large chunk of which is paid for by counties.  Molitor says the state -- overall -- spent more than $134-billon on Medicaid... which is more than Florida and Texas combined.  However... he says those states have 30-million more people to service than New York state.  Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel was also on hand to welcome Blakeman... who he says understands what local counties need from state government.  They all urged the gathering to get out and vote next Tuesday... or vote early. 

Gies also in Lakewood Wednesday afternoon to hold 89th town hall meeting...
The Democrat challenger in the 23rd Congressional District race was also in Lakewood Thursday afternoon... as he closes in on 100 town halls before Election Day.  Olean's Aaron Gies says his appearance at the Lakewood Library was the 89th he's held since winning the primary a few months ago.  Gies blasted Langworthy for supporting President Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill..." which he says is "adding $4.5-trillion to our national debt... to pay for a tax cut for the richest people on the planet... and, cutting rural health care."  Gies says it's time to put an end the politics of division... and, noted court filings that showed President Trump had rejected already-approved FEMA aid for five northeastern states -- including New York -- led by Democrats, to help with emergency snow removal.  Gies adds that -- if elected -- he will work immediately with other Democrats to reinstate Affordable Care Act subsidies that were taken away by the administration.

Fredonia Village Board approves ban on Flock Cameras...
The use of Flock cameras is now banned in the village of Fredonia.  Village trustees this week voted 4-1 vote to prevent deployment of any Flock cameras on village-owned property, including the two existing cameras outside Village Hall.  One of the trustees who supported the measure was LeeAnn Lazarony.  She says the Chautauqua County District Attorney's Office's contract with Flock should not be valid, noting that the village was never notified about the agreement beforehand.  Also supporting the resolution was Ben Brauchler, who says there are inherent problems with Flock's system.  The lone "no" vote came from Paul Wandel, who said he supported District Attorney Jason Schmidt's efforts -- in collaboration with Fredonia Police -- to make the community safer.  Wandel added that the cameras "simply serve as a tool to support a safe environment."