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WJTN News Headlines

An amendment to Chautauqua County's administrative code regarding the potential sale of the county home in Dunkirk sparked some heated debate at last night's legislature meeting.  Legislature Minority Leader Robert Whitney wanted the language... added by County Executive Greg Edwards... rejected.  However... lawmakers failed to get the necessary two-thirds majority to turn down the amendment.  Whitney... a Jamestown Democrat says he's troubled by a part that takes away the need for a Home Administrator if the facility is no longer funded or authorized in the budget. Another Jamestown Democrat... Chuck Nazzaro... said he was suspicious about the timing of the measure with a new, potential buyer in the wings.  However... Edwards later defended the move as a way to avoid costly litigation if -- and when -- the county home is sold.  He says the CSEA has brought frivolous lawsuits in past cases... and, cost other counties money.  In the end... 14 lawmakers voted to reject the amendment... but, 17 were needed for approval.

 

Officials with a Long Island nursing home and health care company have made their initial pitch to Chautauqua County lawmakers about wanting to buy the County Home in Dunkirk.  Three of the four principles with VestraCare of Rosyln, New York made an 11-minute presentation about what they've done at two nursing homes... one a former County Home... and, preliminary ideas for the Dunkirk facility.  Edward Farbenblum says their first home... Susquehanna in the Binghampton-area... was a run-down... poorly run facility when they bought it six-years ago.  He says they set out to create a "new model" with expanded services. The person charged with putting the new model in place at Susquehanna... Shannon Keyea (Kay)... has worked 25-years in the field of long-term care.  Keyea says while Susquehanna's had it's problems... it's now recognized nationally as a "center of excellence" -- especially regarding short term care... and, in working with people that have Parkinson's Disease.  As for the Ulster County Home... Farbenblum says they've operated the facility for nine weeks... adding they held extensive "town hall" style meetings with everyone involved so they knew -- fully -- what their plans are.

 

Doctors in New York are now required to check the new statewide drug database before prescribing painkillers, with pharmacists responsible for recording the related prescriptions they fill.  The new law took effect Monday.  It's meant to help doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners review patients' drug histories through the state health department's online registry.

 

A new report shows New York's highest paid municipal workers.  The report from the Empire Center for Public Policy of the fiscally conservative Manhattan Institute shows one public worker from Long Island receiving nearly 360-thousand dollars in Suffolk County followed by a police officer receiving 306-thousand in neighboring Nassau County.

 

There were already plenty of activities taking place at Jamestown's annual Labor Day Festival... but, organizers have added more activities for this year's 34th annual event.  The festival begins at Noon this Sunday at Bergman Park... and, continues until after the 9 PM fireworks show.  It's put on by the city of Jamestown... along with a number of community minded sponsors.  In fact... two of them are putting up items to be raffled off to people who park in Bergman Park for the event.  That from Mayoral Assistant Matt Hanley. Hanley adds that Ahlstrom-Shaffer also helps the city out with a lot of "in-kind" help for the Labor Day Festival.  There's also a new fund-raiser for this year's event.  City Parks and Recreation Coordinator Julia Ciesla-Hanley says that's a 'Zumba benefit' that'll be held late Sunday afternoon at Danielson Field. Ciesla-Hanley says the event begins at 5 PM... and, costs 10-dollars.  But... if you bring a bag with school supplies in it... the cost is 7-dollars-50 cents.  Admission to Sunday's event is free... but, there is a small charge for parking.  More on the festival later.

 

New crosswalks and traffic signs are now in place in a neighborhood on Jamestown's eastside to address ongoing concerns about child safety in that area.  City officials joined neighborhood activists late Tuesday to unveil the crosswalks -- and pedestrian crossing signs at Falconer and Bowen Streets... next to Lillian Dickson Park.  One of the neighbors involved in the effort to get the safety measures in place... Kathy Carlson... says they've "very pleased" with the outcome... saying city officials were very receptive to the idea because of the project to improve the park.  Carlson's family moved into the area four years ago... and, it was only a short time later that a young child was struck and killed by a car on Falconer Street.  She says there were a number of hurdles to clear... but, the end result was worth it.  Mayor Sam Teresi says it's part of a multi-step "Neighborhood Engagement effort."  That area is also active in Jamestown's Neighborhood Watch Program.