The above marker is affixed to a memorial bench on the Pennsy Tracks walking trail dedicated to Penny Brown.

The convicted murderer of a Salamanca woman has been released from prison, but has not been released in Western New York.

The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said Edward Kindt, who was convicted for raping and murdering Penny Brown in Salamanca in 1999 when he was 15 years old, was released from prison Thursday and taken to Dutchess County.

It’s not clear if he’ll face parole-related restrictions. Kindt, who is Seneca, was recently banned from all Seneca Nation territories for at least a year.

Kindt, who is now 39, was granted parole on February 17 after being denied multiple times in the past. He was originally sentenced to nine years to life in prison until former State Senator Cathy Young helped pass Penny’s Law, which increased the second-degree murder sentence for someone under 16 years old to 15 years to life.

State Senator George Borrello released a statement, saying, “In a call this morning with the Department of Correction and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Acting Commissioner Anthony Annucci, I learned that killer Edward Kindt has been released on parole to an undisclosed location in Duchess County. While I am glad he has not been released into the community where he caused so much pain, this sexual predator and murderer remains a threat to the safety of all New Yorkers and should be spending the rest of his natural life behind bars. ”

Borrello added that he believes Governor Kathy Hochul should replace State Parole Board members with members “who will choose public safety over politics.”

The state penalized the school district in 2012, by $4.9 million, for missing final cost reports for a 2005 capital improvement project. Former State Senator Cathy Young had secured $3 million since 2013 to help the district pay down the penalty and avoid passing the burden onto taxpayers in the rural school district. The remaining penalty balance was $1.9 million.

State Senator George Borrello stated his deep disappointment in the Governor’s veto, saying, “There is zero justification for diverting critically-needed education dollars away from the classroom to pay a bureaucratic fine from almost two decades ago.”

Borrello said the original fee was instituted because of an “administrative error on the final cost report for a capital project.” Both he and Cathy Young had made statements that the unresolved fine prevented a merger with the Clymer School District.

JCC Political Science Professor Dr. Greg Rabb cited Young’s voting record which included voting against marriage equality and transgender rights, “Every step of the way, let me repeat that, she fought and voted against us every step of the way. She voted against marriage equality, endorsing discrimination against those of us who fall in love someone of the same gender and expecting legal protection of our rights. We won despite her.”

Rabb said when the DEI Taskforce and his colleagues objected to Young speaking, they were told the college was going forward anyway, “Despite the pain it caused… despite the pain it caused. They admitted that they were hurting us! The college admitted that her speech was hurtful and decided to go ahead with it anyway.”

JCC Student, Mickey, who identifies as pansexual, said it was wrong to have Young be the speaker and that they wrote to the college to tell them that, “They didn’t listen because I didn’t get no reply, but I’m still not giving up. ‘Cause it’s wrong to have a speaker that’s against what I stand for and I’m not going to let someone stand at a college and show a bad example of saying that ‘Oh, I don’t like that you’re gay but congratulations, you got your diploma.'”

Members of the DEI Task Force were in attendance at the protest and invited people who were upset with the college to continue to send letters voicing their concerns.

Jamestown Community College

JCC Political Professor Dr. Greg Rabb issued a statement last week speaking out against Young being the speaker, citing her votes against marriage equality and transgender rights.

College officials responded to WRFA saying they will be moving forward with Cathy Young as the keynote speaker at the virtual ceremony on Friday. An updated statement from JCC President Dr. Daniel DeMarte is below.

In a letter to staff, obtained by WRFA, JCC President Dr. Daniel DeMarte stated, “With input from student leaders, the DEI (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion) task force, staff, the president’s cabinet, members of the board of trustees, and others, we will move forward with the virtual commencement presentation as planned. I am incredibly appreciative of the dialogue that has been opened. I believe this provides us an opportunity for growth in our efforts to become a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive college community.

We realize former Senator Young speaking may be painful for some. However, she has for many years been a steadfast supporter of Jamestown Community College, and our communities. Her numerous accomplishments both in and out of public office are commendable.”

DeMarte further stated that the college would, “designate a space on campus during our events for those students interested in peacefully expressing their views. In doing so, we must ensure a safe environment without disrupting the commencement events or hindering the rights and responsibilities of others within the campus community.”

Dr. Rabb responded to this letter saying, “Former Senator Young endorses discrimination against a protected class under NY State Human rights law. Anything else she has done does not erase this stain. Her speaking should be painful for all.

No one, especially myself, has any plans to disrupt the commencement and I find that warning to be even more offensive to those of us who care about human rights, the human rights of ALL.”

JCC’s Virtual Commencement ceremony is scheduled for this Friday, May 14th.

Full text of statements below:

Jamestown Community College Professor Dr. Greg Rabb’s Statement on May 5, 2021:

I note with concern from today’s PJ that former NY State Senator Young will be the speaker at the JCC 2021 virtual commencement.

I must object as strongly as possible in the interest of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to which we say we are committed.

When in office Sen. Young, despite intensive lobbying in Albany by myself and others including our students, VOTED AGAINST MARRIAGE EQUALITY AND TRANSGENDER RIGHTS!  This is unacceptable for a college that is ready to make a statement endorsing and supporting DEI. Our actions continue to negate any statement the board may adopt.

This is a sad day for JCC and our LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff, and I must object in the strongest possible language.

Jamestown Community College President Daniel DeMarte’s Letter to JCC Staff on May 10, 2021:

Colleagues,

With input from student leaders, the DEI task force, staff, the president’s cabinet, members of the board of trustees, and others, we will move forward with the virtual commencement presentation as planned. I am incredibly appreciative of the dialogue that has been opened. I believe this provides us an opportunity for growth in our efforts to become a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive college community.

We realize former Senator Young speaking may be painful for some. However, she has for many years been a steadfast supporter of Jamestown Community College, and our communities. Her numerous accomplishments both in and out of public office are commendable. 

Our graduates have done tremendous work through circumstances not seen in our lifetime. We look forward to celebrating their achievements this weekend. In the spirit of supporting the free exchange of ideas, and putting our budding notion of DEI into action, we will designate a space on campus during our events for those students interested in peacefully expressing their views. In doing so, we must ensure a safe environment without disrupting the commencement events or hindering the rights and responsibilities of others within the campus community. 

Respectfully,

Daniel  

President & CEODaniel DeMarte, Ed.D.
SUNY Jamestown Community College
525 Falconer Street
Jamestown, NY 14702

Jamestown Community College Professor Dr. Greg Rabb’s Response Letter on Monday, May 10, 2021:

Our speaker has no respect for LGBTQIA+ rights and in fact has done her best to deny me our rights.

I would expect the college leadership to know about this and when called to their attention that they would be as outraged as I am. But no.

Where is the moral leadership?

This has been a year of failure on the part of the administration and it saddens me deeply.

To borrow a phrase from my activist friends: QUEER LIVES MATTER or at least they should. It is apparent that they don’t at JCC!

Former Senator Young endorses discrimination against a protected class under NY State Human rights law. Anything else she has done does not erase this stain. Her speaking should be painful for all.

No one, especially myself, has any plans to disrupt the commencement and I find that warning to be even more offensive to those of us who care about human rights, the human rights of ALL.

Gregory P. Rabb

Statement From SUNY JCC President Dr. Daniel DeMarte on Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Our college is committed to making sure that all voices and backgrounds are heard. As such, I am incredibly appreciative of the depth of sentiment that has been shared regarding our selection of Catharine Young to serve as our keynote speaker for our pre-recorded commencement ceremony on May 14 that will premiere on the college’s website.

We understand the passion and difficulty surrounding these conversations and I am cognizant that former Senator Young speaking is difficult for some members of our community. In the spirit of supporting the free exchange of ideas, we will be working with former Senator Young to provide our students an opportunity for an important dialogue to continue our efforts in making Jamestown Community College a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. The conversations we are having are important in helping us learn and grow together, and they confirm the importance of our work in making DEI a priority for this college community.

I would like to make clear that Jamestown Community College does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender nonconformity, sexual orientation, marital or domestic partner status, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran or military status, family care status, age, or any other characteristic. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

Our goal in developing the pre-recorded ceremony is to honor each and every graduate that has persevered through a period not seen in our lifetime. Their work is inspiring and we look forward to celebrating their achievements.

Catherine Young

Former State Senator Cathy Young will give the keynote address for Jamestown Community College‘s Virtual Commencement Ceremony on May 14th.

Young is currently the executive director of the New York State Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech. She previously served for 20 years in the New York State Legislature, representing Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.

JCC’s virtual commencement ceremony will air on its website at 6 p.m., Friday, May 14th. The ceremony will be available on-demand following its conclusion.

Graduates also will be given the opportunity to walk across the stage at the clock tower of the college’s Cattaraugus County Campus on Saturday, May 15th or pond-side at its Jamestown Campus on Sunday, May 16th. The outdoor ceremony will follow health and safety guidelines from public health agencies. In-person events are subject to change.

(Left to Right) Jason Schmidt, PJ Wendel, Andy Goodell, George Borrello, and Tom Reed

It was a clean sweep for Republicans in Chautauqua County in the 2020 Election, as all GOP candidates on the ballot appeared to have won their respective races, regardless of the record number of absentee ballots that have been cast and await to be counted.

The big winners in the county-wide races were Andy Goodell (R-Ellicott) for the 150th State Assembly District, Paul “PJ Wendel (R-Lakewood) for the special election for Chautauqua County Executive, and Jason Schmidt (R-Fredonia) in the race for Chautauqua County District Attorney. Also picking up regional victories were George Borrello (R-Irving) for the 57th State Senate District and Tom Reed (R-Corning) for the New York 23rd Congressional District.

• ALL ELECTION NIGHT TOTALS IN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY

SCHMIDT VOTED INTO OFFICE FOR THE FIRST TIME

Jason Schmidt

For Jason Schmidt, the second time was a charm in his run for Chautauqua County District Attorney. He appears to have cruised to any easy victory over incumbent Patrick Swanson (D-Fredonia) after previously losing to the current DA in the 2016 election.

This time around, Schmidt received 29,925 votes between early voting and Election Day voting while Swanson picked up 17,122.

According to the Chautauqua County Board of Elections, there remains a possible 11,926 absentee ballots in Chautauqua County that could be added to the final vote total, but even if Swanson picked up all of those votes, he still wouldn’t have enough to win.

“I’m humbled, honored, and grateful to all my supporters and so appreciative to the team of people who have stood by my side the entire time and the movement that we created. Getting into this, it was really about the community – the victims and the police. We stayed true to that and that’s really what it is all about for me,” Schmidt told WRFA on Election Night following news that he had won.

Schmidt also offered his thoughts on how he was able to win by such a wide margin on Election Night.

I think in many respects, the election was about different philosophical approaches to the office. I tried to make that clear and I wanted to define the campaign based on that. I felt there wasn’t enough emphasis being placed on prosecution and conviction,” Schmidt said. “That doesn’t mean that I want to go out there and be a hammer looking for a nail, that’s not who I am. But at the same time I feel there were a lot of people let down in many high profile cases here, and that was never lost on me. It was important that they be remembered and honored by my campaign.”

WENDEL NO LONGER ‘ACTING’ COUNTY EXECUTIVE

PJ Wendel

In the special election for Chautauqua County Executive, Wendel defeated Democratic opponent Richard Morrisroe (Dunkirk) by an election night vote of 33,633 to 13,126. Wendel had been serving as acting county executive after being appointed by the Republican-controlled county legislature at the start of this year. Previously he had served as a member of the legislature representing Lakewood and Busti along with a small portion of Jamestown. He also was legislature chairman prior to his appointment to county executive.

“I’m excited and I’m very humbled by the residents of the county who elected me for this position. I’m humbled to win by that much – that’s the voters who spoke. It’s not an appointment, that’s the residents of the county and I think that means a lot. I’m humbled to have that kind of a margin,” Wendel said.

Wendel will now serve the final year of the current term of the office for County Executive and will have campaign all over again next year, as he’s already stated that he wants to serve a full term as the county’s top executive.

GOODELL LOCKS UP 6TH TERM IN ASSEMBLY

In the race for the 150th State Assembly District, Goodell also had an insurmountable lead over his Democratic opponent, Christina Cardinale of Jamestown. Goodell received 34,627 votes on election night to Cardinale’s 12,514.

Andy Goodell

“I’m very thankful that the residents of the Chautauqua County have given me the opportunity to represent our county in the State Legislature and I’m also very thankful that my Assembly colleagues give me the opportunity to serve as the floor leader on the floor of the Assembly,” Goodell said. “That gives me the opportunity to make sure the voices, concerns and issues that are important to us here in Chautauqua County are front and center in all of our legislative proceedings. I’m excited to go back, but I’m also very mindful that there is a tremendous amount of work to do and it will take everybody’s help and cooperation as we move forward to address these serious issues.”

The win secures Goodell a 6th term in Albany after first being elected to the office in November 2010.

BORELLO WINS FIRST FULL TERM IN STATE SENATE

George Borrello will also continue representing the three southwestern-most counties of the state in the State Senate as he easily won a full two years to represent the 57th District in Albany.

George Borrello

Borrello defeated Frank Puglisi (D-Cattaraugus County) with an election night final of 78,047 to 24,940.  Borello was first elected to the Senate in a special election last year to finish the final year for the current term after former Sen. Cathy Young resigned from her post in early 2019 to take a job in the private sector.  Last year, he defeated Democrat Austin Morgan by 42,563 to 17,270.

“I am honored and grateful for the trust that the hardworking people of our region have again placed in me to represent the 57th District,” Borrello said in a statement released Tuesday night. “Over the past year, we’ve faced the unimaginable challenges of a global health emergency and a devastating economic crisis…. The COVID-19 challenge has exacerbated many existing issues and failures of our state government, which has further energized the need for change. That will be the starting point for our efforts. We must now set aside the politics and work to face the tough road ahead. I vow to continue working to advance our recovery and fight against the extreme, politically self-serving agendas that undermine our security, ignore our shared values, and prevent us from realizing our fullest potential.”

REED DEFEATS MITRANO IN REMATCH OF 2018 RACE

Tom Reed

In the race for the 23rd Congressional district, Republican incumbent Tom Reed defeated Democratic Challenger Tracy Mitrano (Penn Yan) with an election night total o 160,131 to 90,959. It’s not known how many absentee ballots remain to be counted throughout the district but it is likely that there are not enough outstanding to give Mitrano an opportunity for a come-from-behind victory.

It was the second time in as many elections that Reed squared off against and defeated Mitrano.

GREENAN WINS SUPREME COURT RACE

There was also a race for State Supreme Court for the eight counties making up the Eight Judicial District. In that race, Republican candidate Gerald Greenan III defeated Democrat Amy Martoche 246,688 to 181,674. Again, the total number of absentees that remain to be counted are not available at this time, but the Greenan has a likely insurmountable lead over Martoche.

The final vote totals for each race won’t be known until later this month after all absentee ballots are opened and counted and then the canvasing of all votes takes place to provide an official, final result.

A reason for the turnout was due in part to several high-profile Republican Party primaries for local office, along with the primary for the state seat vacated by Cathy Young.

In Chautauqua County, the primary election that saw the best turnout was in the Town of Carroll, where 37 percent of all registered Republicans came out to vote in the primary for Town Supervisor. Russell Payne ended up being the winner in that race.

Three Republican primaries saw turnouts of 26 percent. They were the race for Jamestown City Council Ward 2, the race for Kiantone Town Supervisor, and the Race for Chautauqua County Legislature District 18. The respective winners for those races were Tony Dolce, Joshua Ostrander, and Bill Ward.

The Jamestown Mayoral Republican Primary saw a turnout of 21 percent. David Wilfong was the winner.

And the turnout for the 57th senate district republican primary saw a turnout of 19 percent across the district, as well as 19 percent in Chautauqua county. George Borrello won that race.

The county Board of Elections will count absentee/affidavit results next Tuesday and certify all primary elections.

The only race it appears that could be impacted by an absentee/affidavit vote is the Independence Party primary in the town of Carroll for town clerk. Currently Susan Rowley leads the Independence Party primary over incumbent Tenneil Stelmack by a 20 to 19 vote. However, one absentee ballot was received for the primary.

George Borrello

ALBANY – The GOP Primary race for the 57th State Senate District wasn’t very close.

Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello defeated Allegany County Legislature chairman Curt Crandall Tuesday by a marigin of 28%. According to the New York state Board of Elections, of the 11,700 votes cast across the district, Borrello picked up 7,453.

Borrello also picked up 4500 votes in Chautauqua County alone, while Crandall was only able to gain about 400 votes here. Borrello also beat Crandall in two out of the three other counties in the district. Crandall did easily win in his home county, where he won 1566 to 459.

Borrello will now face Democratic candidate Austin Morgan of Cattaraugus County in November’s general election.

The 57th Senate District seat was vacated earlier this year when Republican Cathy Young resigned in March to take a job at Cornell. The district covers Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, and a portion of Livingston counties.

George Borrello (left) and Curt Crandall

The Chautauqua County Board of Elections says a total of 25,500 Republican voters are eligible to vote in today’s Primary for the 57th NYS Senate District – with candidates George Borrello, the current Chautauqua County executive, and Curt Crandall, the chair of the Allegany County Legislature, squaring off.

The Senate district includes Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and part of Livingston Counties. There are 64,000 active Republican voters eligible to vote across the district.

Borrello was elected Chautauqua County executive in 2017 after spending eight years in the Chautauqua County Legislature, representing his home area of Hanover. Crandall is a long-time member member of the Allegany County Legislature and has served as its chair for the past 14 years.

Sen. Cathy Young was reelected to office in November 2018, but when she announced she was resigning from her seat in late February of this year, it meant that a special election would have to take place to fill that seat. As a result, the Republican party chairs for each of the four counties that comprise the 57th district (Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Livingston) met in early March to select their candidate and it was Borrello, with only the Republican Party chair from Allegany County selecting Crandall.

When Gov. Andrew Cuomo did not set a special election date to fill the vacated seat, the special election date was set for this coming November’s general election. That gave Crandall an opportunity to challenge Borrello’s endorsement and force a primary.

Borrello is also the endorsed candidate for the Conservative Party.

• LISTEN: WRFA INTERVIEWS GEORGE BORELLO AND CURT CRANDALL

Andrew Liuzzo (left) and David Wilfong

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR JAMESTOWN MAYOR

An estimated 3800 Republicans will be choosing their candidate for mayor to appear on the ballot for the November general election.

The two candidates who will appear on today’s republican party ballot are City Councilman at Large Andrew Liuzzo and Chautauqua County Legislator David Wilfong. Liuzzo was first elected to the Jamestown City Council in the 2017 election, while Wilfong was first elected to the County Legislature in 2013. He’s also the current chair of the Chautauqua County Republican Committee.

In February, Wilfong became the endorsed candidate of the Jamestown Republican Committee. But Liuzzo was able to force a primary by collecting an overwhelming number of petition signatures from registered Republicans living within the city.

Wilfong is also the endorsed candidate for the Conservative Party.

• LISTEN: WRFA INTERVIEWS ANDREW LIUZZO AND DAVID WILFONG

Tony Dolce and Raven Mason Thompson

CANDIDATES FOR CITY COUNCIL – WARD 2

There’s also a Republican primary for Jamestown City Council Ward 2 – with incumbent Tony Dolce being challenged by newcomer Raven Mason Thompson.

Dolce is the city Republican committee’s endorsed candidate, having served on the city council since 1999. This is Mason Thompson’s first attempt at running for public office.

• LISTEN: WRFA INTERVIEWS TONY DOLCE AND RAVEN MASON THOMPSON

OTHER LOCAL PRIMARIES

Other local primaries for the Republican Party include Carroll Town Supervisor and Town Clerk, Charlotte Town Council (Vote for 2), and Kiantone Town Supervisor. Also, Republicans have County Legislature primaries in Legislative District 1 in Dunkirk and Legislative District 18, covering the Mayville area, along with the towns of Mina and Findley Lake.

There are no primaries scheduled for the Democrats in Chautauqua County. However, a few third party primaries will be taking place in other areas of the county outside of Jamestown.

Polls are open Noon to 9 p.m.

Election officials say the busiest times to avoid will be Noon to 1 p.m. and in the evening during the dinner hour. All county poll sites will be open.

Results for all races will be posted online tonight at the website VoteChautauqua.com for local races and at Elections.NY.gov for 57th Senate district-wide results.

• MOBILE APP USERS: LISTEN HERE

Originally airing Thursday, June 20, 2019

WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with Republican Candidates for State Senate George Borrello and Curtis Crandall. The two will square off in a GOP Primary on Tuesday, June 25 to determine who will represent the party in the 2019 November General Election for the 57th Senate District.

• [RELATED] April 2019 Interview with George Borrello, Republican Candidate for State Senate
• [RELATED] March 2019 Interview with Curtis Crandall, Republican Candidate for State Senate

The race is taking place due to former Republican Senator Cathy Young leaving office in early March 2019.