Former Chautauqua County Executives recognized at the Robert H. Jackson Center

The eight men who have led Chautauqua County in the nearly 50 years since the County Executive position was created were honored at an event held at the Robert H. Jackson Center Friday.

Until 1975, the Chautauqua County Board of Supervisors appointed a chair to serve as chief executive of county business. The Board of Supervisors system was challenged as being unconstitutional, with the challenge succeeding and the county required to rewrite its charter. The new charter included the establishment of a County Legislature and the County Executive position.

The former County Executives all shared memories of successes and challenges during their tenure.

The County Executives who have served Chautauqua County include:
Joseph Gerace (serving Jan. 1, 1975 to May 10, 1983),
John “Jack” Glenzer (serving Nov. 25, 1983 to Dec. 31, 1989),
Andrew Goodell (serving Jan. 1, 1990 to Dec. 31, 1997),
Mark Thomas (serving Jan. 1,1998 to Dec. 31, 2005),
Gregory Edwards (serving Jan.1 2006 to Nov. 17, 2013),
Vincent Horrigan (serving Jan. 1 2014 to Dec. 31, 2017)
George Borrello (serving Jan. 1, 2018 to Nov. 27, 2019)
Paul “PJ” Wendel (serving Jan. 1, 2020 to present).

Current County Attorney Stephen Abedella also was in attendance and was recognized for serving as Acting County Executive from November 18 to December 31, 2013. While not in attendance, David Dawson was recognized as well for his service as an Acting County Executive from May 10 to November 25, 1983.

We’ll be sharing the full recognition event on WRFA at a later date.

Artist’s rendering of the Gateway Lofts project upon completion.

JAMESTOWN – Mayor Sam Teresi said he’s holding off on weighing in on a proposed $34 million housing development project until more details come forward.

In August the Southern Tier Environments for Living (STEL) used the city’s Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission meeting to publicly unveiled its proposed $34 million Gateway Lofts project at the Gateway Center on Water Street in the city. Joining STEL in the effort is Community Helping Hands and the YWCA of Jamestown.

Developers describe the project as a multifamily, affordable housing project that would include 70 housing units over three stories of the Gateway Center building, which was formerly the long-time home of the now closed Chautauqua Hardware manufacturing business and currently houses several local organizations, including St. Susan Center, Community Helping Hands, Love Inc., and the Mental Health Association of Chautauqua County.

With 75,000 square feet of unused space at The Gateway Center, the plan for the new lofts project is to convert the fourth floor into 25 housing units as part of a non-violent offender program for men and women with a
mental health diagnosis and/or a substance abuse problem; the third floor would provide 16 permanent, supportive
housing units for homeless families; and the second floor would provide 39 units of affordable housing for families who are income-eligible. The first floor will continue to host a network of nonprofits and serve as a hub for the sorts of services that tenants of the project will need.

According to the developers, support for the project has been given by several local officials, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Sen. Catherine Young, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, County Executive George Borrello, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and IDA director Mark Geise, Sheriff Joseph Gerace, county Health and Human Services Director Christine Schuyler, and the Homeless Coalition.

But city officials have been reluctant to endorse the project, including Mayor Teresi.

Sam Teresi

“I think it’s important to allow the developers and the other participants to give their presentation as to what they envision the project to be, an update report as to where they stand – and I’ve heard figures anywhere from $28 to $36 million on the project and that’s a big lift for any type of project, let alone in a small market like this – to see where they’re at in the fundraising stage, and to see the final plans that will be brought forward to the city planning commission, because they’re still not final,” Teresi told WRFA following Monday’s Jamestown City Council meeting.

The mayor also reminds residents that while the project has a significant price tag, no funding for the project would come from local city tax payers.

“Nobody has come to the city and asked us for any type of financial role to play with the project. I don’t anticipate they will. They haven’t indicated that they will be knocking on our doors for any financial assistance and even if they did, given the tight budget that we’re dealing with I’m not sure how we would be able to do that,” Teresi said. “Also with constitutional restrictions, we are not able to gift or loan local tax dollars for any type of initiative – public, private, not for profit, or otherwise – it’s a violation of the gifts provision in the state constitution. Any role that we would play in any project is with money that we were able to obtain from other federal and state resources.”

Also holding off on endorsing the project is any member of the Jamestown City Council.  Council President Marie Carrubba is an employee of STEL and will likely not provide an endorsement one way or the other due to that conflict of interest.

Funding would come from state and federal grants as well as through historic and brownfield tax credits, which allow investors to provide capital for the renovation effort and then receive tax credits that reduce the amount of federal or state taxes they have to pay.

Senator Catherine Young (R-Olean)

“This is a vital, collaborative effort that will transform a former industrial building into vitally-needed housing for individuals and families in transition,” Senator Young said in a media release sent out in August. “Safe, affordable housing is essential for those seeking to build better, stronger lives for themselves and their children. I was glad to be able to secure state funding for such a worthwhile project and look forward to the positive impact it will have for years to come.”

“I was very impressed with the vision of the plan,” Sheriff Gerace said in the same release. “This could be a remarkable advantage for people that are moving, through diversion, into such housing. So I am very encouraged. It’s something that I’ve been looking at for a very long time.”

The Jamestown Planning Commission will host a public hearing on the project on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers.

WRFA will also have more details about the project from the developers during our Community Matters program, which is broadcast Thursday afternoon, Oct. 4 at 5 p.m.

On Wednesday the Village Casino, Southern Tier Brewery, Arthur R. Gren Co. Inc. and the Chautauqua Area Regional Transit System (CARTS) announced the launching of the “Getting Home Safe from the Point.”

The program is a transportation service that allows area residents and visitors to safely get home after enjoy an evening of entertainment and drinking in Bemus Point.

According to County Executive Vince Horrigan, From June 24 through August 13, CARTS buses will have two runs every Friday and Saturday. The buses will pick up individuals outside of the Village Casino in Bemus Point, at 11:30 p.m. and again at 1 a.m. The service is free and will drop off riders directly to their homes or hotels in the Bemus Point, Mayville, Lakewood, or Jamestown areas.

Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace was also on hand and said that he fully supports the weekend transportation service program.

Funding for the program is expected to be provided by the sponsoring businesses and won’t come from county tax payer money.

For more information about Getting Home Safe from the Point, please contact the Village Casino at (716) 386-2333.

“These are everyday people whose efforts to help their neighbors in need are truly inspirational,” said Chuck Marra, Western New York Chapter Executive Director. “The American Red Cross is proud to recognize these Hometown Heroes, and we look forward to sharing their incredible stories.”

The Hometown Heroes Breakfast is sponsored in part by Cummins Inc., Jamestown Engine Plant, and all proceeds benefit the American Red Cross. The award recipients for this year include:

Nestle Purina PetCare Animal Rescue Award

Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue; Jann Balsono and Marcia Okerlund: Jann Balsono co-founded this “no-kill” shelter in 1999. Today, volunteers like Marcia Okerlund take in between 250-350 stray, orphaned and abandoned dogs and puppies each year, and work to secure every animal that comes through their doors permanent, loving and responsible homes.

Chautauqua Patrons Insurance Company Fire Rescue Award

Furlow Francise and Burl Swanson: As part of the Dewitville Fire Department, Furlo Francise and Burl Swanson produced what one emergency official called “one of the greatest real-life Ice Rescue operations”. When two ice fishermen had fallen through the ice on Chautauqua Lake, Francise and Swanson used a Hover Craft to reach the troubled fishermen and pull them from the icy water to shore.

Farm Fresh Foods Law Enforcement Award

Sheriff Joseph Gerace and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department: In 2015, the Sheriff’s Office 911 Center handled 78,496 E911 calls, 125,602 total calls for service for police agencies and 18,336 total calls for service for fire/EMS departments. All dispatchers are trained in Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD). They provide pre-arrival, lifesaving information to callers who can begin first aid while EMS is responding to the scene. They have assisted with CPR, childbirth, Heimlich Maneuver, bleeding control, and much more. Since beginning the use of Narcan to help drug overdose victims last year last year, the Sheriff’s office has reported helping save four lives using the new tool.

Wegmans Adult Good Samaritan Award

Ray Domanski: On April 1st, 2015, a home on Lake Shore Drive East in Dunkirk’s 1st Ward caught on fire. This was no April Fool, as this home had no working smoke detectors. Thankfully, the families who lived there did have Ray Domanski. Mr. Domanski saw the flames, alerted the residents inside, and called 9-1-1. Thanks to his actions, seven people, including a young child, were able to escape the home safely.

Cummins, Inc., Jamestown Engine Humanitarian Blood Donor Award

Robert Fralick: If you attend a blood drive at the Jamestown Red Cross office, chances are you’ll meet a donor who will tell you that Bob Fralick encouraged them to become a Red Cross blood donor. Fralick has been donating blood to the American Red Cross for over 50 years. In that time, he has donated over 300 pints of blood, which at the time of his last donation was said to have given him the distinction of having donating the most amount of blood in the world.

Image from www.facebook.com/andrewcuomo

ALBANY – Governor Andrew Cuomo will remain in office for four more years.

That after voters across New York went to the polls on Tuesday to vote for the top office in New York State – along with several other statewide, regional and local offices.

With nearly all election precincts reporting by the end of Election Day, Cuomo had collected about 54 percent of the statewide vote, with Republican challenger Rob Astorino of Westchester County picking up 41 percent and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins coming in a distant third with just over 5 percent.

Shortly after the close of the polls on Tuesday, the Associated Press declared Cuomo the winner. During his victory speech, the governor focused on his campaign’s rhetoric – playing up his accomplishments of the last four years, which include legislation involving property tax assistance, new jobs and on-time budgets. The governor also promised those in attendance that he was just getting started and that New Yorkers “ain’t seen nothing yet.”

The governor said during the next four years he will focus on raising the minimum wage, improving public education, fighting the local property tax burden, passing the Women’s Equality Act and passing the DREAM Act.

Schneiderman, DiNapoli Win Re-Election

In addition to Cuomo’s victory, the two other state-wide office holder also picked up re election wins for their respective offices. Both Democratic Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli will serve four more years in Albany following wins on Election night.

Schneiderman defeated Republican opponent John Cahill 58-39 percent, while DiNapoli bested his Republican opponent Robert Antonacci, 61-36 percent. It was the first re-election for both Democrats.

Reed Cruises to Third Congressional Term

Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) with his family following news that he won re-election on Election Night, 2014. (photo from www.Twitter.com/TomReedCongress)

Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) will remain in office for at least two more years. The two-term Republican from Corning easily defeated his lone challenger – Martha Robertson (D-Dryden) from Dryden New York – by a margin of nearly 63 to 37 percent. The unofficial Election Night total from CNN had Reed picking up more than 105,000 votes across the 23^rd Congressional District, while Robertson was able to pick up just over 63,000.

Reed fared especially well in the western section of his district, which includes Chautauqua County. He picked up an estimated 40,600 votes in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties compared to the 20,000 that Robertson Received. The only county Robertson won was her home of Tompkins County – where she received over 14,000 votes compared to just 5,700 for Reed.

GOP Retakes State Senate

While Republicans were unable to win any of the three statewide offices, the GOP did find some success in the state’s upper legislative chamber.

It appears that Republicans will once again have sole control of the state Senate with candidates picking up enough wins to attain the required 32-vote majority.

Statewide, there were enough GOP victories rolling in around 11 p.m. on Election Night for Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos to declare in a statement that “New Yorkers have chosen balance and bipartisanship over an entire state government made up of Democrats from New York City, and placed their trust in Republicans to lead the Senate.”

Democrats later conceded that they weren’t going to win the majority.

It remained unclear whether members of the Independent Democratic Conference, led by Bronx Sen. Jeff Klein, would once again join forces with the Republicans, as they have for the past two years, or ally with their minority-conference Democratic colleagues.

Locally, Senator Cathy Young (R-Olean) picked up her fifth term in office after running unopposed.

In the State Assembly, the Demcrats picked up a seat and increase their majority with 99 of the 150 seats.

Goodell, Gerace and Piazza win County-Wide Races

Assemblyman Andy Goodell (R-Chautauqua) and Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace (D-Jamestown) both won re-election, while Jeffrey Piazza was a four-way race to be the county’s new Family Court Judge.

In the Local elections here in Chautauqua County, it was a big night for the two candidates who hold county wide offices.

Assemblyman Andy Goodell, who’s 150^th district covers all of and only Chautauqua County, cruised to a third term in office after easily defeating democratic challenger Barrie Yochim. With all districts in the county reporting, Goodell picked up 75 percent of the vote.

Meanwhile, Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace cruised to a sixth term in office, defeating Republican Challenger Russell Payne from Frewsburg by a margin of 63 to 37 percent.

In the race for the newly created second Chautauqua County Family Court Judge position, republican Jeffrey A. Piazza of Jamestown easily defeated his three opponents. Piazza picked up 59 percent of the votes throughout the county. In addition to running as a Republican, Piazza also ran on Conservative and Independence party lines.

Democrat Sally Jaroszynski, picked up 28.5 percent of the vote, Fredonia Republican Michael J. Sullivan, who ran on the Green Party line, picked up 6.6 percent of the vote while Working Families candidate James J. Spann, received 5.81 percent of the vote.

Rankin Defeats Kresge in District 12 Special Election

The Chautauqua County Legislature will have a new member serving on the panel. Republican Elisabeth Rankin won the special election for the District 12 seat which cover the north side of Jamestown, picking up nearly 52 percent of the votes. Rankin was challenging Democrat Beth Kresge – who was appointed to the seat earlier this year after it was vacated by Fred Larson, who had to step down after being appointed as the new Jamestown city court judge.

Rankin picked up an unofficial election night total of 746 votes, compared to Kresge’s 691.

All Three State Propositions Pass

State voters were supporting all three ballot propositions, according to unofficial returns on Tuesday night.

Voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 1 – the amendment that would retool the state’s redistricting practice, the once-a-decade redrawing of the state’s political districts.

And Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed Smart Schools Bond Act, Proposal 3, which would generate $2 billion to improve classroom technology and other elements of educational infrastructure, also saw approval, as did Proposal 2, the constitutional amendment that would eliminate the need for legislative bills to be printed and supplied to every lawmaker before being considered.

That’s according to research from The PEW Charitable Trusts, which found that the crime rate in New York State has declined by 54 percent since 1994 and also shows that New York’s imprisonment rate has dropped 24 percent during the same time.

The study is based on data from the Federal Bureau of Justice Statistics and the FBI.

Additionally, for 2013 the New York crime rate has reached an all-time low with a continued decline in the first six months of 2014. According to the report, the state has also experienced a significant decrease in the number of reported crimes. From 1990 through 2012, the state saw crime drop 62 percent, driven by a 73 percent decrease in New York City.

In 2012, New York State was the safest large state in the nation, and the third safest overall, behind only Idaho and North Dakota, according to data compiled by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services.

The reduction in the prison population is due entirely to a decrease in the number of nonviolent drug offenders who are in prison.

The report covers statistics across the entire state. However, both Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi and Jamestown Public Safety Director Harry Snellings have said in recent months that overall crime is also down in the city, compared to past decades.

The same can not be said at the county level, where just last week Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace said the county jail currently has a record number of local inmates compared to any past year.

In recent months there have been a number of high-profile drug-related arrests in the city and county. But local public safety officials have said that the overall number of violent crimes, such as assault, rape and murder, on average, is lower than where it was in past decades.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and it provides an opportunity for people to safely dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired prescription drugs at local community drop-off sites.

The following drop-off sites will be available in Chautauqua County:

• ALSTAR Headquarters North, 738 Monroe St. in Dunkirk.
  Hosted by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office.

• Chautauqua Mall, 318 East Fairmount Ave. in Lakewood.
  Hosted by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office.

• Southside Pharmacy, 766 Foote Ave. in Jamestown.
  Hosted by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office.

• Westfield Family Physicians, 138 E. Main St. in Westfield.
  Hosted by the Village of Westfield Police Department.

Sheriff Joseph Gerace said, “The abuse, misuse, theft, and unlawful sale of prescription medications are growing concerns in Chautauqua County. We continue to partner with other law enforcement agencies as part of a tremendous enforcement effort to keep these medications from getting into the wrong hands. Our participation in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is one way to allow the public to safely and anonymously dispose of these medications to help stem the abuse of prescription drugs.”

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

“While prescription drugs and other medications, including over-the-counter medicine, can be beneficial when taken properly, they also pose potential health risks including misuse and abuse as well as water hazards related to improper disposal,” said Christine Schuyler, Director of Health and Human Services. “It is vitally important that medicine is properly stored and disposed of and kept out of sight and reach of children at all times – young people are especially at risk for accidental poisoning and overdose as well as misuse that often leads to addiction.”

Residents who are unable to get to one of the community sites on September 27, can also utilize the drug drop box in the lobby of the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, 15 East Chautauqua St. in Mayville. The drug drop off box is available 24 hours a day for anonymous drops at no cost.

The Department of Health and Human Services Division of Environmental Health also offers the following steps for disposing drugs safely:

• Crush or dissolve pills in water, coffee, or another liquid.

• Make a paste of the dissolved pills or liquid medication by adding it to kitty litter or coffee grounds.

• Put the paste in a closed container or sealable bag.

• Put the closed container in the trash.

• To protect your privacy, before throwing out a medicine container, scratch out all identifying information on the prescription label to make it unreadable.

National Drug Take Back Day is sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). At the last Drug Take Back Day held in April, 780,158 pounds of pills were brought to the 6,072 collection sites across the nation that the DEA and its 4,423 state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners set up.

For more information, visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov  or call the Sheriff’s Office at (716) 753-4900 or the Department of Health and Human Services at 1-866-604-6789.

According to news reports, Sheriff deputies Friday afternoon named both 43-year-old Jonathan M. Conklin and 30-year-old Charles Sanford as suspects in the case. Sanford’s residence is listed as an Erie address while Conklin’s residence was unknown at the time of his arrest. The two were arrested separately in Erie, Pa. following a two-day investigation, with authorities locating Conklin’s car in Erie and also learning that her credit cards had been used in the hours following the shooting. Authorities went to the businesses where the credit cards had been used and were able to place one of the suspects at the location where the card had been used.

The two will be charged with stealing property and taking it across state lines, car jacking and murdering its owner and using a firearm during a crime of violence. They face up to life in prison if convicted. They were to be arraigned Friday night in Federal Court in Buffalo.

Chautauqua County sheriff deputies began their investigation into the shooting death of Whitaker immediately following the discovery of her body at her residence. Authorities say she was shot twice, once in the leg and once in the chest. Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace said during the news conference that Whitaker was likely being forced to give information at the time of her murder.

Whitaker was a long-time member of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra at Chautauqua Institution, where she played violin. She stayed at the Titus Rd. home during the summer season and lived in New York City the rest of the year.

In addition to the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s office working on the case, investigators with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office in Pennsylvania are provided assistance, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Titus Road is located just north of the village of Sherman and a section of it is located in the town of Sherman. However, according to the news report, the scene of the crime was on the section of the road that lies in the town of Westfield.

Mary Whitaker (Image from Westchester Philharmonic)

WESTFIELD – The name of the victim in the homicide that took place in the Town of Westfield has been identified. Sheriff Joseph A. Gerace Thursday afternoon announced today the name of the victim of as 61-year-old Mary E. Whitaker of 8448 Titus Road in that town and also of New York City. Gerace also said the Whitaker was identified following an autopsy, where the cause of death was ruled a homicide by an apparent gunshot wound.

Chautauqua County sheriff deputies began their investigation on Wednesday following the discovery of the body of Whitaker at 8448 Titus Rd. Police were called to the scene after a report came in of an assault victim at the residence who was possibly deceased. According to the newspaper report, Gerace had said Whitaker was the sole victim and others in the area were not in danger, although he would not go into any detail about a possible suspect or motive.

Whitaker was reportedly a long-time member of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, where she played violin. She stayed at the Titus Rd. home during the summer season.

Titus Road is located just north of the village of Sherman and a section of it is located in the town of Sherman. However, according to the news report, the scene of the crime was on the section of the road that lies in the town of Westfield.

On Wednesday, Chautauqua County sheriff deputies began their investigation into the discovery of  the body of an unidentified female in her 60s at 8448 Titus Rd.

Police were called to the scene after a report came in of an assault victim at the residence who was possibly deceased. According to the newspaper report, Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace had said the woman was the sole victim and others in the area were not in danger.

Titus Road is located just north of the village of Sherman and a section of it is located in the town of Sherman. However, according to the news report, the scene of the crime was on the section of the road that lies in the town of Westfield.