Vince Horrigan, Chautauqua County Executive; Ronald Almeter, Manager of Airports; and George Spanos, Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities Director.

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan and Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities Director George Spanos have announced the appointment of Ronald Almeter as the new Manager of Airports for Chautauqua County.

Almeter begins his new position on January 24, 2017. He will replace former director William Tucker, who resigned from the position in December 2016.

“I am very pleased to welcome Ron Almeter to our leadership team,” said Horrigan. “Ron is a versatile and accomplished leader with experience in facilities management, program management, military and intelligence operations, risk management and communications technologies. I believe his strong work ethic and professional background in government and private operations make him a great asset and an excellent fit for the manager of airports position.”

“I am thrilled that Mr. Almeter has accepted the offer to be out next Airport manager,” said Spanos. “Mr. Almeter’s outstanding experience earned our interview committee’s confidence and I am confident his experience will bring success to our airports.”

Almeter has over 35 years of senior leadership and facilities management experience as he worked in various private, government and military operations. He is a retired Base Engineer of the United States Army, where he served from 2013 to 2016. He also served as a Program Manager of the United States Air Force from 2010 to 2013, a Facilities Management Officer for the U.S. Department of State from 2007 to 2010, and Project Manager of Zachry Construction Co. from 1997 to 2004. In addition, he served as a Management Generalist for U.S. Government intelligence agencies from 1989 to 1995 and as Special Operations Officer in the United States Navy from 1981 to 1987.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the community in a role that promises great opportunities and poses some persistent challenges,” said Almeter.  “Our airports are a valuable and readily leveraged resource to attract visitors and investment to the region and I feel privileged to have a role in the pursuit of those opportunities.  I look forward to working with the many government agencies and private sector constituents that collectively manage and operate the national transportation infrastructure and I am committed to advancing the County’s ongoing collaboration with those stakeholders to sustain our piece of that vital infrastructure.”

Almeter earned his Bachelor’s degree in Ocean Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy. He is a Masters candidate in the Systems Engineering Management program at Saint Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. He and his family currently reside in Westfield, N.Y.

Among the items on the agenda was a public hearing,  followed by a vote, for a lease agreement with the Chautauqua Tobacco Asset Securitization Corporation at the County Airport in Jamestown. The corporation was formulated by county officials in 2000 for the securitization of the county’s share of revenues from the settlement agreement from New York State’s litigation with tobacco manufacturers.

CTASC is required to have an office location designated as its corporate headquarters. The corporation would lease 800 square-feet of space at the airport for $10,000 per year.

Also on Wednesday the legislature unanimously approved a resolution to set salaries for senior paramedic and paramedic positions, as part of the fly-car system. The positions will perform primary emergency medical care and advanced life support for individuals who are in need of immediate attention.

The fly-car system, which was included in the 2017 budget, will look to assist commercial and volunteer services respond to a rise in 9-1-1 calls throughout Chautauqua County. The system will see three cars and a staff consisting of a senior paramedic, three full-time paramedics and six part-time paramedics.

Under the proposed pay scale, paramedic position would be set at a Grade 11 salary level, $16.88-$21.64 an hour, or $35,110-$45,011 per year. The senior paramedic would be set at a Grade 14 salary level, $18.66-$23.98, or $38,813-$49,878 per year.

Before the program can begin, officials will need to advertise the positions, hire people, purchase and outfit vehicles and determine the areas in which the fly-cars would be stationed.

Officials hope to have the fly-car system in operation sometime during the first quarter of 2017.

The Chautauqua County Airport, just north of Jamestown. (Image via Google)

MAYVILLE – The Greater Chautauqua-Jamestown Airport at Robert H. Jackson Field will get a new parking lot thanks to federal, state and local funding.

On Wednesday night the Chautauqua County Legislature approved federal and state funds for an airport parking lot rehab project.

According to the Jamestown Post-Journal, the vote was 13 to 4, with legislators John Hemmer (R-Westfield), Ron Lemon (R-Frewsburg), Charles Nazzaro (D-Jamestown), and Bob Scudder (R-Fredonia) each voting against the measure.

The total cost of the project is just over $850,000 and the county’s share of the project totals just over $21,000.

The lawmakers who voted against the measure voiced concern about using local funding to pay for a project at the airport that has been under-utilized, with minimal usage by area residents and businesses. They also explained that by moving forward with the project, the county will be committed to keeping the airport open for the foreseeable future, even if it continues to be underutilized.

County Executive Vince Horrigan says he supports the project and the county is in a mode to continue airline service.

County lawmakers also approved an agreement with Wyoming County to house inmates. The rate per day within the agreement is $85 and the county will assume all medical costs for the inmates who are boarded in Wyoming County. Seven of the county’s inmates are currently located in the Wyoming County Jail.