WRFA News – Feb. 23, 2012

COUNTY LEGISLATURE TO DOWNSIZE TO 19 MEMBERS

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County legislature will see its number reduced to 19. That after lawmakers Wednesday night voted 16 to six in favor of directing the county’s reapportionment committee to draw 19 district lines.

As expected, the action wasn’t without some discussion. Tom Erlandson (D-Frewsburg) called for reducing the size of the legislature down to 15 representatives. However, that motion was defeated by a vote of 14 to eight.

WRFA News – Feb. 22, 2012

JAMESTOWN SCHOOL OFFICIALS PRESENT BUDGET WITH NO TAX INCREASE

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Public Schools district is proposing the elimination of as many as 29 positions to prevent any tax increases for next school year. That’s according to today’s Jamestown Post-Journal, which says the school board went over the administration’s proposed budget during last night’s board meeting. Rather than increase property taxes a projected 8.68 percent, Superintendent Deke Kathman said the district would use over  $2.7 million from the district’s fund balance and also look into eliminating 29 positions.

Kathman also presented the board with other potential budget cuts, including reducing maintenance in school fitness centers as well as consolidating the three middle school modified softball teams into one district softball team.

The budget’s first draft has expenditures of $77.7 million – an increase of $3.28 million from last year. After increases in state aid and the end of short-term federal aid, the district found itself with a projected gap of $1.27 million.

The next Board of Education regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 27. A work session will be held Tuesday, March 13.

WRFA News – Feb. 21, 2012

LABOR LEADER SAYS STATE COULD ‘SHUT DOWN’ IF TIER VI IS APPROVED

ALBANY – Governor Andrew Cuomo’s effort to reform the state pension system could result in state workers shutting down the government. The Albany Times-Union is reporting that the Public Employees Federation has joined the campaign by labor unions opposing Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed new pension tier –  and the organization’s leader on Sunday suggested it should be a line in the sand for legislators.

PEF President Kenneth Brynien said that if the governor’s going to put something in the budget that’s unreasonable, maybe the government should be shut down.

Cuomo’s budget proposal would offer newly hired workers the option of enrolling in a defined-contribution plan, similar to a 401(k), or the defined-benefit plans that are now offered to public employees.

Brynien and other labor leaders argue that defined-contribution plans threaten the economic security of public retirees. If they don’t save enough money, they won’t be able to stay in New York, contribute to its economy, and the effects of the plan would “snowball.” Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, a Democrat, has expressed similar sentiments.

WRFA News – Feb. 20, 2012

2012 VILLAGE ELECTION INFORMATION NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County Board of Elections has released a list of candidates who will be on the ballot in thirteen of the county’s fifteen Tuesday March 20, 2012 village elections.  Ballots for each village election can be found at www.votechautauqua.com.

The two villages without March election contests will be Fredonia and Celoron.  There are no expiring terms in Fredonia and Celoron moved its elections to November to eliminate village election expenses.

The Board of Elections will act as the chief election officials for all villages this year except Sinclairville and Cassadaga.  These two villages are continuing to use their respective village clerks as the chief village election officer and will be counting votes by hand.  All other villages will vote on the county owned optical scan paper ballot system.

The Next Woodsongs Coffeehouse Radio Hour is Feb. 23 in Jamestown

David Allen Coester returns to Chautauqua County, along with Rochester folk musician Steve Piper

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – The February edition of the Woodsongs Coffeehouse Radio Hour with Ken Hardley will take place Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Labyrinth Press Co. in Jamestown. The show will feature music from classical guitarist David Allen Coester, folk/country musician Steve Piper and host Ken Hardley.

Coester is a classically trained guitarist. A native of Virginia, Coester earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in classical guitar performance from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, where he lived for 18 years. He has performed at the Seoul Arts Center in South Korea, the Basilica of San Clemente in Rome, Italy, and at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C.  He played monthly at the Intermezzo Coffeehouse in Fredonia and has performed at the Lily Dale Assembly, the Fredonia and Westfield Farmer’s Markets, and the Mayville Guitar Show where he offered a number of popular workshops.



WRFA News – Feb. 17, 2012

CITY MAN DIES FROM SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT WOUND IN FRONT OF OFFICER

BUSTI – The Lakewood-Busti police department is calling it an unfortunate incident. A Jamestown man killed himself Wednesday night in the Town of Busti shortly after an officer saw his car on the side of the road and stopped to offer him assistance.

Police say the incident took place on Forest Avenue Extension near Garfield Rd. As the officer stopped to help the driver of the car, the driver became visibly upset. The officer then pulled his vehicle behind the car to run a check on the license plate when the drive of the car got out and walked toward the police vehicle holding a shotgun. After the officer took evasive action, the man turned around, walked back to the front of his own vehicle, and shot himself.

No one else was hurt in the incident and other local police agencies provided assistance at the scene. Neither the name of the victim or the officer is will be released.

WRFA News – Feb. 15, 2012

CITY TEEN CHARGED WITH BURGLARY IN CONNECTION TO INCIDENT IN ELLERY

ELLERY – A Jamestown teenager is behind bars after being charged with burglary for his alleged involvement in an incident that took place last month.  Chautauqua County sheriff’s deputies say they arrested 18 year-old Tyler Skillman-Drake following an investigation into a January 30 burglary at Townline Auto in Ellery. Skillman-Drake turned himself into authorities on Monday after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was arraigned in Ellery town court and sent to the county jail.

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PARTNERSHIP COMMISSION TO HOLD COMMUNITY WORKSHOP TONIGHT

JAMESTOWN – People who live and work in Jamestown are invited to attend a public forum tonight and the Ney Renaissance Center designed to help shape the city’s future. The event – hosted by the Jamestown Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission – will give City residents the opportunity to hear short action team reports about 2011 accomplishments and help set 2012 priorities and goals.