New York among the states experiencing "ammo frenzy..."
Gun enthusiasts fearful of new weapon controls and hearing false rumors of government hoarding are buying bullets practically by the bushel. The A--P reports that demand is making it hard for gun stores to keep shelves stocked and even putting a pinch on some local law enforcement departments. The run started in November with President Barack Obama's re-election, followed by the shooting in December of children in Newtown, Connecticut. That massacre led the president to launch an effort to strengthen federal gun controls and several states to tighten laws. Connecticut became the latest on Thursday. Hours before the law went into effect, hundreds of customers streamed out of Hoffman's Gun Center in Newington with guns and boxes of ammunition. Similar scenarios are playing out all over the country.
Gerace says requests for pistol permits not going down, has to bring back staffer to deal with processing back-log...
The number of people applying for gun permits in Chautauqua County since the state legislature approved the New York SAFE Act has not eased up one bit. That from Sheriff Joe Gerace this week... as gun users continue to buy soon to be illegal assault weapons... and, ammunition. Gerace says his office has been innundated since the law was passed. In fact... he says the requests for permits has been "off the charts." Gerace adds that he's had to bring in another staffer to help deal with the huge volume of applications. That person is part-time, and an intern has been brought in when they have "light duty." Gerace is a member of the New York State Association of Sheriffs... which wants to see changes made to the new NY SAFE Act. He attended a conference the NYSAS earlier this year... and, among the concerns expressed was the provision that reduces the number of rounds in a magazine. However... that is being revisited by state lawmakers. Gerace adds the new law also doesn't address a problem for locations like Chautauqua County that border another state.
Some 35 people turn out for first CDBG Public Hearing in Jamestown...
There was a very good turn-out for this week's initial public hearing on the city of Jamestown's Community Development Block Grant... and, HOME Program for 2013. That from Development Director Vince DeJoy... who says almost 35 people were on hand for Wednesday night's hearing. DeJoy says a number of residential, and economic development groups were represented. But... he adds several members of the public were on hand to "energize" the hearing, as well. DeJoy says some heard about the hearing... from us on the radio. He says they just wanted to talk about reinvestigating in the city's neighborhoods and making it a "more liveable" place. DeJoy says among the groups and organizations on hand were Chautauqua Opportunities, Incorporated... and, a group of residents involved with Lillian Dickson Park on the city's eastside. Those people want to see some improvements there. Members of Northside PRIDE were also there... along with some city council members, and county legislators. DeJoy says two issues... compliance with the American's with Disabilities Act... and, infrastructure improves to items such as sidewalks were brought up. He says his office will sift through all the ideas from the meeting... and, past projects, as well as written items. They'll then meet with Mayor Sam Teresi and others to develop a plan to role out in a couple of weeks.
Gas prices down two-cents this week...
Prices have finally begun creeping down for a gallon of gasoline in the Jamestown-area this week. The AAA's Fuel Gauge reports that the average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded is now $3.92. That's a drop of two-cents from last week. On the national front... the average price is also down two-cents this week to just under $3.64. That price is also 12-cents less than one month ago. An increase in refinery production and lower oil prices in early March have combined to provide rare falling prices for motorists in comparison to recent years. At the state level... prices have fallen for drivers in the vast majority of the country. Forty-two states have a lower average price today than one week ago... including New York.
BPU to open new Yard Waste Site on Monroe Street...
The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities' Yard Waste Site is being moved to a new location... not far from the current site. In addition... restrictions on it's use will be enforced through window stickers for BPU customers. That from General Manager Dave Leathers... who says the new site will open later this month. Leathers says the dump site is being moved from Fluvanna Avenue to 1001 Monroe St. He says it'll be at the 'dead-end' of the street... and, the best way to get there will be turning off Eighth onto Clinton Street, then continue onto Monroe. Leathers says the move will allow the site to be away from a location on Fluvanna that the city's Public Works Department uses. He says the other change is the use of the window stickers for just BPU Solid Waste Customers. The sticker will have to appear on the rear driver's side window of their vehicle. Leathers says there's been some misuse in the past... mainly by contractors who brought old tires, and construction and demolition debris to the old site. Leathers says the stickers are available free of charge to BPU Solid Waste residential customers. But... each customer account will get only one sticker.
