The city of Jamestown is looking to borrow 3-million dollars for what officials call several "necessary" capital equipment purchases... and, projects. Public Works Director Jeff Lehman and City Comptroller Joe Bellitto laid out the proposal at last night's city council work session. Lehman says seven trucks and an excavator made the final list from an original 4 to 5-million dollars. He says three are "wheel loaders..." which he says are very "important" pieces of equipment. Lehman adds the trucks they would be replacing are 10 to 15 years old... and, have fallen into disrepair. He also laid out a storm water drainage project for a troubled area on the city's westside... leak repairs to the deck on Tracy Plaza... and, 'trapping coating' for the Cherry and Spring Street Parking Ramps. Mayor Sam Teresi adds that some of the building projects... which includes new roofing on 10 to 12 city building... will provide some long-term savings through energy efficiency. Joe Bellitto says they're looking at a 20-year bond payment of about 275-thousand dollars a year.
Cold, polar air has pushed into the Jamestown-area... and, dropped temperatures into the teens by yesterday morning. The National Weather Service is continuing a Lake Effect Snow Advisory until 10 AM today... and, a Lake Effect Snow Watch is in effect from tonight through Wednesday morning. That from Forecaster Jeff Wood with the National Weather Service... who says we saw strong winds in advance of the first of two cold fronts that move in late Sunday... the second of which brought the sharply colder temperatures... and, strong winds. Wood says the strong winds continued through the day Monday... and, caused blowing and drifting snow in many areas. Generally... between 4 and 6 inches of the white stuff fell in the area by last night. Wood says we could see another 3 to 5 inches during the day today. There is also diminished visability in those area of blowing and drifting snow. Wood says we'll be in this general pattern through next weekend -- possibily into early next week. No serious problems were reported on the roads yesterday morning in the Jamestown-area.
The Democratic leader of New York's state Senate and the head of a breakaway faction of Democrats are criticizing each other over their continuing rift. Despite earlier promises to work with traditional Democrats... the five-member Independent Democratic Conference is expected to again align itself with Senate Republicans during the legislative session... which begins Wednesday. Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins says Monday that the Independent Democrats' decision was ``disappointing'' and would allow Republicans to block Democratic priorities. In response... Senator Jeff Klein, leader of the breakaway Democrats, says Stewart-Cousins is ``in no position to pass judgment'' since Democrats failed to win a Senate majority. Klein said last summer that his group would work with Democrats this year... but, reversed course after Republicans won a clear Senate majority in the fall elections.
The 114th Congress gavels into session today... and, lawmakers will consider a new rule that opposes any raiding of Social Security Administration funds to fail out the disability fund. That from local Congressman Tom Reed... who is a member of the Social Security Subcommittee that's looking at ways to prevent Social Security Disability from going bankrupt in 2016. Reed says there are indications the White House wants to take money from the general fund to support disability... and, the Corning Republican says that's taking away money from seniors and other retirees. Reed supports reforms to the Social Security Disabililty fund... including tougher enforcement of the rules... and, weeding out fraud and abuse. He says millions of dollars have been found that way in New York state alone. Reed also says he want to work in a bi-partisan way to preserve the S-S-D program. He says raiding the fund "isn't the answer." Reed says, right now, it's predicted that the Social Security trust fund will become insolvent by 2033. He made his comments during his weekly telephone conference call with Southern Tier Media.
Jury selection has begun in a new corruption trial for former state Senator Malcolm Smith... and, a new charge of witness tampering has been lodged against his co-defendant. Prosecutors say former Queens Republican leader Vincent Tabone tried to convince a witness not to testify when he and Smith were on trial last year. That proceeding ended in a mistrial. The two men are accused of scheming to bribe Republican leaders so Smith, a Democrat, could run for New York City mayor on the GOP line.
In Girls HS Basketball:
Jenna Einink scored 23, Courtney Hewes had 22 points and Chautauqua Lake defeated Southwestern 61-50.
Randolph edged Allegany Limestone 46-43.
In Boys HS Basketball:
Sherman remains undefeated as they beat Frewsburg 54-48.
Maple Grove defeated Brocton 40-31.
It was Panama over Clymer 59-24.
**We've got High School Basketball on the air tonight at 1240AM WJTN as Jamestown takes on Williamsville North. Coverage begins at 7:30pm.
