It was "an opportunity that I could not pass-up." That from the newest member of the Jamestown City Council... who has announced that she is resigning her seat as of next Monday. Third-Ward Councilwoman Tamara Dickey says she "sincerely regrets" that she is resigning... but, adds she's received a consulting promotion for a new health care company that has purchased two hospitals out-of-town. Dickey was elected last November to replace former Democrat Councilman Michael Taylor... who moved out of the area. She adds she was also disappointed that she wasn't able to use her financial skills on city council. Dickey was named earlier this year to the council's Public Works Committee. Dickery says she looks forward to working with her successor in Ward-3. The city charter says the replacement must be from the same politicial party as the out-going seat holder. Names from Ward-3 candidates would be provided to Mayor Sam Teresi. He then submits a final name to the City Council for their review... and, approval.
The city of Jamestown will be hard pressed to bring in the current year's spending plan under the approximately 33-million dollars budgeted. That from City Comptroller Joe Bellitto... who tells city lawmakers that "not much had changed" from their 6-month report. In his 9-month financial report... Bellitto said he's hoping that revenues forecasted from payment-in-lieu of tax agreements with the Board of Public Utilities will come in as projected.
Bellitto says another area of concern is overtime spending -- especially for the Department of Public Works -- going into the final two months of the year. If there's an early start to Winter... that could drive that number up. Bellitto says the other concern they have is regarding health insurance costs... which he says were over budget by 8-percent at mid-year. He says that number is now 11-percent higher... and, adds he also expects that part of the budget to be over by 100-thousand to 250-thousand dollars. Another concern... says Bellitto... is over the amount of money they will have to pay to the state's retirement fund.
Ellicott town officials are mourning the loss of a "very dedicated" board member who passed following a short battle with Cancer. Town Councilman Rob Heintzelman died last Thursday at the age of 52 in his West Ellicott home. Town Supervisor Cecil Miller says Heintzelman was a 10-year board member who always kept an eye on the town's fiscal affairs. Miller says Heintzelman was well-schooled in finance and bookkeeping. The town board met last night... but, Miller says the panel won't be deciding on a replacement for a while yet. With the November elections coming up in less than two weeks... a special election won't be held until next year. Miller says the board will make an appointment in the near future. Heintzelman served on the board for 10 years... and, represented the second-ward -- which is mainly the West Ellicott area.
A Stockton man escaped serious injury Monday night after he swerved to miss a deer... and, his car slammed into a tree head-on in the town of Stockton. Sheriff's officers were called to the scene of a one-car accident about 7:30 PM... and, found the driver, 19 year-old Robert Keech, was southbound on Cemetery Road... and, allegedly swerved to miss the deer. Keech told deputies his car veered off the road, through an open field, before hitting the tree. Officers say Keech was taken to Brook's Memorial Hospital for treatment. He was ticketed for not wearing a seat belt.
Ground has been broken on the newest Senior Housing project in the Jamestown-area... this one on the eastern end of the town of Busti. The property has been cleared... and, structural work on the new Fairway Pointe Senior Village will soon be underway. County, and Busti Town officials joined representatives from Calamar Construction and Development for the ground-breaking at 21-23 Southwestern Drive... just northeast of Southwestern Central School. Calamar's director of Leasing, and Lifestyle... Tina Partridge-Vinocur... says they're excited to have the project underway. Vinocur says Calamar... which is based out of Wheatfield, New York... felt the location was ideal for a Senior living facility... which will overlook the Sunset Valley Golf Course. She adds their research also showed a need for more moderate-income housing. Vinocur says Fairway Pointe will be a three-story structure... with units priced about 900 to one-thousand dollars a month. She says it will include a number of amenties... including washers and dryers in each room... and, a community room. Vinocur says they expect to be up and running in about a year. To find out more about pre-leasing... call 1-855-357-7755... or go on-line to Calamar-dot-COM.
New York's attorney general is warning consumers about scammers preying on Ebola fears with fundraising scams claiming to benefit victims... and, dubious offers of so-called preparedness kits that claim to contain preventive medicines. A-G Eric Schneiderman says there is no approved vaccine. He says scammers are ``shamefully exploiting'' heightened concerns since a few cases have been documented in the U.S. following an outbreak earlier this year in Africa. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control says Ebola isn't contagious until symptoms appear... and, isn't spread through the air.
Maintenance work on a bridge on Route 60 in the north county has begun... and, the state Department of Transporation says traffic will be restricted because of it. DOT Regional Spokeswoman Susan Surdej (Sir-day) says the span over Canadaway Creek in the town of Promfret is being repaired and cleaned up. With that... Surdej says there will be lane closures between Spoden and Shumla Roads. She says traffic will be one-lane... and, controlled by temporary traffic signals. Work is expected to last for about three weeks.
The state agriculture department has granted 17.6-million dollars to protect more than 64-hundred acres of farmland across New York state... ensuring the land will remain agricultural and won't be developed. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that the funds will help preserve 21 farms in 12 counties, bringing the total acreage under the farmland protection program to approximately 59,000 acres.
