Reed expects big crowds, and protestors, during Town Hall meetings Saturday in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties...
Local Congressman Tom Reed says he anticipates large crowds -- including protestors -- at his first Chautauqua County Town Hall meetings since the Trump Administration took office. Reed supported Trump's campaign... and, was part of his transition team after the election. Other Congressional town halls have drawn overflow crowds... and, brought heated debate. Trump says he's not anticipating changing the format for the Town Hall's... and, how those attending Saturday's forums are allowed to speak. Chautauqua County Democratic Committee Chairman Norm Green says he hopes that's the case because the people need to be allowed to have their views heard. Reed, a Republican for Corning, will be hosting two sessions in Chautauqua County... one will be in Ashville the other in Cherry Creek. Green says he's also heared that there may be big crowds at both. Reed says he has no problem with "robust debate" on some items... but, he also urges people to be respectful. He says he wants to hear from the people -- regardless of where they're from. The one in Ashville will be held at the North Harmony Senior Center... and, begins at 9:15 a.m. The Cherry Creek town hall begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Pine Valley VFW Post.
Final joint budget hearing for state legislature underway in Albany...
Lawmakers have convened the last of 13 hearings on Governor Andrew Cuomo's $152-billion dollar state budget proposal. Members of the Senate and Assembly have gathered this morning for a joint hearing on housing proposals that was postponed due to weather earlier this month. Lawmakers are likely to recommend significant changes to Cuomo's suggested spending plan. The final product will be hammered out in negotiations between the Democratic governor and top lawmakers in the Senate and Assembly. Assemblyman Goodell says... once today's hearing is concluded... the Assembly and Senate will begin work on what are called "one-house" budget's over the next two weeks. He says they'll then begin the reconsiliation process with the Governor.
City DRI Planning Committee selects projects to recommend to the state...
The committee tasked with making final recommendations on funding economic development and infrastructure projects in Jamestown through a $10-million state grant has completed it's task. The Local Planning Committee for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative has pared an initialy list of 87 projects down to the final dozen. A public session was held last night to release the final list... which totals just over $13.8-million dollars. Committee Co-Chairman Mike Metzger with Blackstone Advanced Technolgies says they're "extremely pleased" with the final list they came up with. Metzger says they all fit the three catagories the state stipulated... including providing an economic boost, infrastructure, and making the city more "walkable." The panel's other Co-Chair... Mayor Sam Teresi... says the Empire State Development Corporation will decide on the final list... and, how much money will be laid out for each. Metzger says their list is topped by the downtown Hilton Double-Tree Hotel project... which was selected for $3.4-million, and, also includes $1-million for the former Key Bank and Furniture Mart buildings. He says the list will be packaged up by their state consultant... HR-and-A Associates of New York City for ESD. He says a final determination should be made by the state within the next few months.
City 14 year-old steals mom's car, has accident and flees scene...
A 14 year-old city girl will be in family court after allegedly stealing her mother's car yesterday morning... and, crashing it into another car the Brooklyn Square area of Jamestown. City police say they received a report that the unidentified teen was missing shortly before 10 a.m., and, then received a report of the mother's missing vehicle possibly being involved in a two-car accident. Police went to the scene at the corner of Foote Avenue and Harrison Street... where they helped treat the 65 year-old woman driver of the other vehicle for minor injuries. Police say the car driven illegally by the girl allegedly ran a red light... and, crashed into the other vehicle. The 14 year-old drove off... but, was later found and arrested at the corner of Prendergast Avenue and East Third Street. The girl and the mother's car were turned back over to the mother.
