Justin Gould and PJ Wendel

A Falconer resident and current member of the local news media has been hired as Chautauqua County‘s new Media Information Officer.

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel announced Justin Gould will start in the job June 1.

The Media Information Officer is tasked with acting as a liaison for news media organizations, coordinating press conferences, press releases and responding to emergencies as they develop providing up-to-date information to both the news media and public. The position also will assist the legislature, all departments, and agencies within county government to enhance public relations.

Gould is the co-founder of WNY News Now and has owned and operated the business as its News Director. He stated he would be selling his stake in the business, which will then be operated by Lee Cain of Channel 716.

A 60-minute debate featuring the two candidates for the New York State Assembly’s 150th District: Andrew Goodell (R) and Sandra Lewis (D).

WATCH

The debate was held on Thursday, Oct. 13 at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts inside the 3rd Floor Multimedia Room. It was moderated by WRFA’s Julia Ciesla-Hanley and also involved questions from participating media members – Terry Frank (Media One Radio / WJTN) and Justin Gould (WNY News Now), along with Ciesla-Hanley. There was also an opportunity for each candidate to ask one question to each of their two respective opponents.

Funding for the debate was made possible through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

JAMESTOWN, NY – On Thursday, October 13, WRFA-LP – in conjunction with other participating media members – will present a 60-minute debate featuring the two candidates for the New York State Assembly’s 150th District: Andrew Goodell (R) and Sandra Lewis (D). The district, which was redrawn earlier this year, now encompasses all of Chautauqua County, the Cattaraugus Reservation in both Chautauqua and Erie Counties, and the Town of Collins in Erie County.

Jamestown Local Development Corporation Meeting. (Standing on Right) CCS’ Pat Smeraldo

The Jamestown Local Development Corporation approved $3400 in downtown programming funds for the Jamestown Holiday Parade that’s scheduled for Saturday, December 4th.

Collaborative Children’s Solutions‘ Pat Smeraldo said this funding will help the event break even between five credit unions funding the fireworks show along with support from The Resource Center and Chautauqua Connections.

Smeraldo also thanked the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce for their help with signing up participants. He said 35 groups have signed up including the Jamestown High School Marching Band. Those interested in participating in the parade can sign up on the Chamber’s website at jtny.events.

Smeraldo said it was important to get kids involved and some students created posters for the event, “One little girl, I complimented her today, never would have thought of it, she made a Spanish version. So good for you, never would have thought of that. We have Western New York News Now will be streaming the parade from City Hall with Justin Gould and his team. And there will be some high school kids shadowing them. I’m actually speaking with an accounting class next week to talk about budget process. With the company that I have it’s really important to me to get kids involved in real time projects.”

The JLDC also approved $35,000 in downtown programming funds to the National Comedy Center for the Riverside Saturdays program that was held this summer.

The NCC had applied in May for $136,000 in funding. The board discussed the concern over the amount of the request with Council member Kim Ecklund adding she didn’t think the downtown programming fund was supposed to go toward repeating events, “And, or, already had. So in other words, like the Babe Ruth World Series did not come forward asking for money because it’s an on-going, repetitive event. This wasn’t the first year of the funding of the downtown movies. A little different of a program. However, we had them the year prior.”

The board approved the lesser amount that would cover the purchase of the dual projector-screens system contingent on a written agreement that the City would also have use of that equipment.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

Moderated by WRFA’s Julia Ciesla-Hanley, in coordination with media panelists Terry Frank (WJTN Radio) and Justin Gould (WNY News Now).

A debate between the two 2020 candidates for New York State Assembly in the 150th District – Andrew Goodell and Christina Cardinale. Moderated by WRFA’s Jason Sample with questions provided by media panelists Terry Frank of WJTN Radio and Justin Gould of WNY News Now. Recorded Oct. 8, 2020 at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown, NY.

Andrew Goodell and Christina Cardinale

Andrew Goodell and Christina Cardinale

JAMESTOWN, NY – A 60-minute debates involving the candidates for New York State Assembly 150th District will take place at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts’ Media Arts Studio Thursday night, Oct. 8.

The debate featuring New York State Assembly candidates Andrew Goodell, the Republican incumbent, and Christina Cardinale, the Democratic challenger, will begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on local radio along with video streaming online.

Three different media outlets will be collaborating to bring the debates to residents throughout Chautauqua County. Participating media members include Media One Radio Group, WNY News Now, and WRFA Radio – all based in Jamestown.

Jason Sample, WRFA Public Affairs Director, will serve as moderator for all three debates. Questions for the candidates will be provided by participating media members – Terry Frank, Media One News Director;  Justin Gould, WNY News Now Director/Anchor; and Sample. There will also be an opportunity for each candidate to pose a question to one another.

The debate will take place at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown, inside the facility’s Media Arts Studio.

Due to COVID-19, there won’t be a live studio audience for the debate. However, it will be broadcast live on WRFA radio (107.9 FM or streaming at WRFALP.com/Streaming) and also a live video stream will be available at WRFA’s Youtube Channel.

In addition, it will also be live streamed by WNY News Now on its Facebook page as well as WNYNewsNow.com/Live. It will also be rebroadcast at 10 a.m. on WJTN Radio (101.3 FM / 1240AM), and also on WRFA at 5 p.m. on Oct. 15 and again at noon on Oct. 18.   Video will also be available for viewing afterward through WNY News Now and the WRFA Youtube Channel.

Funding for the live broadcast and online streaming of the event was provided by the Reg and Betty Lenna Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

OTHER DEBATES ALSO PLANNED

Two other debates will also be held on Thursday, Oct. 15 and feature candidates for the special election of Chautauqua County Executive: Richard Morrisroe (Democratic, Working Families) and Paul “PJ” Wendel (Republican, Conservative, Independence); and the election for Chautauqua County District Attorney: Jason Schmidt (Republican, Conservative) and Patrick Swanson (Democratic, Independence, Working Families). Those debates will take place at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively and will also be broadcast live on WRFA, as well as streaming on WRFA and WNY News Now media platforms.

The 2019 Mayoral Candidates Debate, taking place Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019 at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts Media Arts Studio on featuring candidates for mayor Andrew Liuzzo, Eddie Sundquist, and David Wilfong. Moderated by WRFA’s Jason Sample with WJTN’s Terry Frank and WNY News Now’s Justin Gould serving as media panel members.

• ALSO AVAILABLE AT WRFA SOUNDCLOUD PAGE

Live from the Reg Lenna’s Media Arts Studios, a 90-minute debate featuring the three candidates for Mayor of Jamestown in the 2019 General Election: Andrew Liuzzo (Libertarian), Eddie Sundquist (Democrat, Independence, Working Families), and David Wilfong (Republican, Conservative).

The debate was a collaboration between several media outlets. It was moderated by WRFA’s Jason Sample and involved questions from Terry Frank (Media One Radio / WJTN), Justin Gould (WNY News Now), and Sample.