“Everybody walked away smiling,” DeJoe says. “Some other ideas were thrown out there by the board of elections about some other possibilities that people didn’t think of and everybody walked away very open minded. Nobody had any agenda that I could see and we’re ready to work together in a positive matter, and that was impressive.”

As far as the first meeting went, Barmore says the commission members basically got an update on how the reapportionment process works and were then asked to develop their own redistricting plan and bring it to the next meeting.

“We basically went over the work that we had done last year and explained to the new people why we had done what we did,” Barmore explains. “Basically the concept was fairly acceptable to everybody I think. At the end of the day we just decided we all had the numbers now and we all had an idea of what redistricting could look like. We challenged everybody to go home, start putting numbers together, come up with a plan and see if they can look at it with new eyes and make something better than we already have. We’ll come back together on April 10 and everybody’s going to bring what they came up with and we’ll bring it all together and see how it looks.”

The independent panel is charged with redrawing county lines that are not only reflective of the 2010 Census, but also reflect just 19 legislative districts. There are currently 25 legislative districts, but a public referendum last November called for that number to be reduced. The commission has until the spring of next year to finalize a plan and have it approved by the legislature, although Barmore and DeJoe both agree they’d like to see it completed sooner.

The other members of the panel are Fredonia’s Minda Rae Amiran from the League of Woman Voters; Fredonia’s Kevin Sanvich – selected as a representative of the County Chamber of Commerce; and citizens Michael Haddad and David Sheppard of Jamestown, Sharon Kaminski of Fredonia, and Ray Rusboldt of Dunkirk.

The members of the panel will be Fredonia’s Minda Rae Amiran from the League of Woman Voters; Fredonia’s Kevin Sanvich – selected as a representative of the County Chamber of Commerce;  Larry Barmore (R-Gerry) and Tom DeJoe (D-Brocton) of the county legislature; and citizens Michael Haddad and David Sheppard of Jamestown, Sharon Kaminski of Fredonia, and Ray Rusboldt of Dunkirk.

Tonight’s meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Gerace Office Building in Mayville and is open to the public.

JAMESTOWN – A Jamestown man is in police custody after being involved in a high-seed chase through Jamestown late yesterday morning. Jamestown Police say 24 year-old Thomas Bascom was spotted by a Town of Ellicott officer driving a vehicle that was reported stolen from a parking lot on Jones & Gifford Ave. Bascom allegedly failed to stop for the patrol vehicle, and continued through several side streets on the city’s west side.

Officers from Jamestown and the Sheriff’s Department joined the pursuit as it continued into the downtown, where the stolen vehicle then collided with another vehicle at the intersection of 6th and Spring Streets. Bascom then attempted to flee the scene on foot but was apprehended. He was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, reckless endangerment, and multiple vehicles and traffic charges and sent to the county jail. No serious injuries were reported.

POLICE CHARGE MAN AFTER DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE INCIDENT

JAMESTOWN – A Jamestown man is in the county jail after being arrested early Tuesday morning for allegedly choking a woman and holding her against her will. City police were called to a home on the north side of the city for a domestic disturbance. The victim reported to officers that she her estranged boyfriend – 31 year-old Robert Grazulwicz – allegedly forced entrance into her home, forcibly restrained her and also choked her. Police located Grazulwicz a short time later at his home and arrested him on related charges. He is currently in the city jail awaiting arraignment.

COMMISSION TO BEGIN REDISTRICTING WORK LATER THIS MONTH

MAYVILLE – The independent redistricting commission in charge of redrawing the new Chautauqua County Legislative Lines could be meeting later this month to begin the process of reapportionment. That’s according to Chautauqua County legislator Lori Cornell (D-Jamestown), who tells WRFA the panel is currently working on a schedule that will allow all members to attend and take part in the process. Cornell was one over several lawmakers who actually wanted to see the panel reduced to 15 members, but the group eventually settled on 19 members during last month’s voting session.

Some have said that a reduction of the legislature will hurt representation from residents in rural areas of the county. Larry Barmore’s (R-Gerry) district covers a rural area northeast of Jamestown and says regardless of where the legislators live, a lower number will mean more work.

“I represent four different governemnts – Gerry, Ellicott, Falconer and Sinclairville. I attend all those meetings and I assist them in any issues they may have,” Barmore told WRFA following February’s voting session. “We have six legislators in the city of Jamestown and none of them – that I am aware of – ever attend the Jamestown City Council meeting, nor are they probably really welcome there as the city of Jamestown would just as soon govern itself. And so, a rural legislator has so much more work to do than a city legislator. Until you’ve been here you don’t realize what there is to do.”

Barmore added, “When I was on the outside I used to make the same criticisms that I hear now. And now that I’ve been here for more than four years and you find out the amount of work there is to do, it’s just overwhelming…. Almost every single night of the week I have a meeting someplace. It’s a lot of work involved in this. I’m not complaining because I really enjoy it and I enjoy the service to the people. But it’s not just coming to Mayville once a month and coming to a committee meeting and arguing back and forth. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes into this job.”

Barmore is one of eight people who will serve on the reapportionment commission. The other members will be legislator Tom DeJoe (D-Brocton), Fredonia’s Minda Rae Amiran from the League of Woman Voters; Fredonia’s Kevin Sanvich – selected as a representative of the County Chamber of Commerce; and citizens Michael Haddad and David Sheppard of Jamestown, Sharon Kaminski of Fredonia, and Ray Rusboldt of Dunkirk.

The independent reapportionment commission is expected to hold its first meeting at the end of this month, although an exact date has not yet been announced. The deadline for finalizing new plans to be presented to the legislature for approval is June 1.

SALES TAX EXEMPTION ON CLOTHING PURCHASES UNDER $110 RETURNS APRIL 1

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards would like to remind businesses and residents that on Sunday, April 1, 2012 clothing under $110 will once again be tax exempt.

In an effort to increase the state’s revenue for two years, the New York State Legislature enacted a 2010-11 State Budget in August of 2010 that repealed the sales tax exemption on clothing and footwear under $110. By amending the sales and use tax law, the State Legislature created a three phased change to sales tax exemption that would affect counties across New York State and eventually restore the tax exemption to its previous amount.

“The State has modified its tax policy on numerous occasions as to the sales tax exemption on clothing,” said County Executive Greg Edwards. “The County policy has not changed but businesses need to be aware of this upcoming modification so that they may act accordingly.”

The first phase, from October 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011, eliminated the sales tax exemption on clothing and footwear. This was projected by the New York State Division of Budget to raise $330 million in revenue for the State’s fiscal year 2010-11.

The second phase, from April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012, provided an exemption on clothing or footwear that is less than $55 per item or pair. This was projected by the NYS Division of Budget to raise $210 million in revenue for the State’s fiscal year 2011-12.

The third and final phase will begin on April 1, 2012 and it will restore the original exemption on clothing and footwear items that are less than $110.

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County legislature will see its number reduced to 19. That after lawmakers Wednesday night voted 16 to six in favor of directing the county’s reapportionment committee to draw 19 district lines.

As expected, the action wasn’t without some discussion. Tom Erlandson (D-Frewsburg) called for reducing the size of the legislature down to 15 representatives. However, that motion was defeated by a vote of 14 to eight. In addition to finalizing the size of the legislature, lawmakers also approved a resolution calling for the creation of an Independent Redistricting Commission to help draw the boundaries for the new 19 legislative districts – based on population numbers form the 2010 census. The members of the panel were also included in the resolution. They will be Fredonia’s Minda Rae Amiran from the League of Woman Voters; Fredonia’s Kevin Sanvich – selected as a representative of the County Chamber of Commerce;  Larry Barmore (R-Gerry) and Tom DeJoe (D-Brocton) of the county legislature; and citizens Michael Haddad and David Sheppard of Jamestown, Sharon Kaminski of Fredonia, and Ray Rusboldt of Dunkirk.

Following last night’s meeting, legislature chairman Jay Gould (R-Ashville) said the 19 lawmakers will have their work cut out for them because of all the committee work that will need to be shared amongst 19 lawmakers.

Lawmakers had to reduce the size of the body from 25 to at least 19 after a public referendum was overwhelmingly approved last November. The commission will have until the remainder of this year to get new boundaries drawn up. The 19 districts must be in place prior to the start of the 2013 local election season.

EDWARDS WARNS OF $14-MILLON DOLLAR GAP IN 2013 BUDGET DURING SOC ADDRESS

MAYVILLE – County Executive Greg Edwards also briefed the County Legislature last night on the accomplishments of 2011 along with some of the initiatives and challenges he has planned for 2012.  In his annual “State of the County” address, Edwards pointed to several challenges facing the county – most notably a failure to get significant relief from Albany. Edwards said a lack of immediate relief from the state combined with several challenges local will once again put the county behind the financial eight ball.

Edwards also said other than increasing taxes, the county doesn’t have a lot of other options to consider to help bring down the $14 million budget gap it is facing. He said property taxes could raise by as much as 23 percent in 2013 if no further action is taken. In order to find revenue sources to trim that potential deficit, Edwards called on politicians in Albany to help out, a move he said must start with better communication and partnerships between state lawmakers and local lawmakers, businesses, and even individual residents.

Minority Leader Lori Cornell (D-Jamestown) agreed about that pressure needs to be put on Albany, but also said the legislature, too, needs to work together and come up with local solutions to offset the 2013 budget gap.

Edwards also said that residents can pressure Albany by visiting a website created by the New York Sate Association of Counties. NYSAC established the website www.mandaterelief.com to create a simple and effective way for county officials and residents to email their state senators and Assembly members, asking them to help enact mandate relief.

SALAMANCA MAN CHARGED WITH HITTING JPS BUS

JAMESTOWN – Jamestown police say a Salamanca man was charged after allegedly hitting a Jamestown Public Schools bus Wednesday morning. Mark Aldrich, 54, of Salamanca was charged with passing a red light Wednesday at 7:22 a.m. City police say the accident – which took place at the corner of Winsor and Willard Streets –  involved four vehicle, one of which was a Jamestown Board of Education school bus. An 11-year-old student on the school bus sustained minor injury and was treated at the scene.

Police say Aldrich was driving a pickup truck west in the direction of Willard Street, and he was approaching the intersection and allegedly passed through the red light and hit the school bus, which was heading south on Winsor Street.

Aldrich’s vehicle then hit two other cars that were stopped on Harrison Street at the red light. The intersection was closed to traffic for 45 minutes as police and crews responded at the scene.

WEST ELLICOTT – Local authorities are continuing their search of an Ellicott Senior Citizen this morning after he was first reported missing yesterday afternoon. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office says 78 year-old John Kircher was reported missing at noon yesterday from his residence at an assisted living home on 560 Fairmont Avenue. Kircher is describd as a white male, 5’2″ and 120 lbs. with thinning brown and grey hair and beard. He also walks with a limp and has a cane.

He was last seen wearing a flannel shirt and grey winter coat. It is believed Kircher walked out from his home at lunchtime and has not been seen since. He has no money on him, but is likely to hitchhike.

Ellicott Police is asking the public’s assistance if they have seen this individual to call our dispatch center at 661-7232.

CITY MAN CHARGED WITH SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

SHERMAN – A Jamestown man was charged with sexual misconduct Tuesday after an incident that allegedly occurred in October. Authorities say 58 year old Joseph Valvo was charged with sexual misconduct, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child on Tuesday at the Jamestown barracks in Ellicott. The arrest comes from an incident that allegedly occurred in the early evening on Oct. 19.

According to police, on Oct. 19, troopers responded to a complaint in Sherman where a 15-year-old male victim reported that a white man in a beige Ford pickup truck approached him and asked his assistance in programming his radio. The youth entered the truck and while setting the radio stations, the suspect allegedly inappropriately touched teenager. The youth then got out of the truck and reported the incident to the State Police.

Information to the man’s identity was limited until receiving information from the Ellicott Police Department that their agency handled a very similar investigation in the spring of 2011 involving a 13-year-old male in Celoron, where Valvo was developed as the suspect, but police chose not to press charges due to lack of evidence.

After conducting its own investigation, Valvo was found to be the suspect involving the 15-year-old victim and was taken into custody. He will appear in Sherman Town Court at a later date.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS TO DETERMINE CO. LEGISLATURE’S DISTRICT 14 RACE

MAYVILLE – It appears the balance of power in the Chautauqua County Legislature will once again come down to the county of absentee ballots. According to the county’s election website votechautauqua.com, the candidates in Legislative District 14 stand only 20 votes apart. Democratic candidate Timothy Hoyer is currently in the lead with a total of 210 votes. Republican candidate Michael Haddad has a total of 190 votes.

According to an article today in the Jameestown Post-Journal, 42 of the 67 absentee ballots issued for the district have so far been returned. Of the 42 absentee ballots returned to the county, a total of 26 were from registered Republicans and a total of 16 were from registered Democrats. To count in the election, absentee ballots have to have been postmarked by Monday, Nov. 7. The deadline for ballots arriving is Nov. 15 for non-military ballots and Nov. 21 for military ballots – meaning the other 25 ballots in District 14 still have time to arrive. The Board of Elections’ counting of ballots will start at 1 p.m. Nov. 21.

AUDIT AND CONTROL COMMITTEE TO ACT ON RESOLUTION INVOLVING COUNTY HOME

The County Legislature’s Audit and Control Committee is meeting this morning in Mayville with several items on its agenda. Most notebably is a resolution supporting the selection of Marcus & Millichap for the Marketing of the Potential Sale, Lease, or other Disposition of the Chautauqua County Home in Dunkirk. The home has been the subject of much debate in recent months, particularly at the county legislature voting sessions, where members of the CSEA have turned out to voice their opposition to selling the home.

This morning’s committee meeting begins at 8:35 a.m. in Room 331 of the Gerace Office Building.

HIGGINS TO MEET WITH AREA SENIORS THIS MORNING, BUSINESS LEADERS THIS AFTERNOON

DUNKIRK – Congressman Brian Higgins will be in Dunkirk this morning for Breakfast With Veterans and Seniors. Later in the day, he’sll also attend a luncheon with local business leaders. Higgins will attend the breakfast at the Dunkirk Senior Center at 45 Franklin Street beginning at 9 a.m. Several organizations will be on hand, including Meals Wheels, The Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System, Chautauqua County Veteran Service Agency, The Dunkirk VA Outpatient Clinic, CARTS and the Office of the Aging – among many others.

Later in the day, Congressman Higgins will provide an update on activities in Washington, DC and Western New York followed by a question and answer period with the chamber of commerce and other local business leaders. That event will take place at noon in the Shorewood Country Club – 4958 West Lake Road, Dunkirk.

FREE RABIES CLINIC TODAY IN MAYVILLE

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Department of Health announces that the final free rabies vaccination clinic of 2011 will be held today from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Town of Chautauqua Highway Building on Patterson Street in Mayville.

The clinic is sponsored by the Health Department and Dr. Joseph Powell is the attending veterinarian. For more information, go online to myhealthycounty.com or call 1-866-604-6789.

WCA AUXILIARY TO HOST HOLIDAY SALE TODAY AND TOMORROW

JAMESTOWN – The WCA Hospital Auxiliary will host their popular annual Holiday Sale on today  from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the WCA Hospital Auditorium, at 207 Foote Avenue, Jamestown, New York. Shoppers support the WCA Hospital Auxiliary’s pledge to support WCA’s Sharing the Gift of Health capital campaign for the hospital’s new Emergency Department. The public is welcome. Parking is available in the visitor parking lot.

MAYVILLE – Today is Election Day in Chautauqua County, and while there are many uncontested local races in the area, there is an important proposition on the ballot this year that every voter in the county will have an opportunity to vote on.

Proposition No. 1 will let voters decide whether the County Legislature has no more than 19 members. Currently, there are 25 members on the panel, a number that’s been in place for over 30 years.  The proposition will be available on the backside of all paper ballots used in this year’s election.

Polling offices will be open from now until 9 p.m. this evening. For information on specific voting locations or ballots, contact the Chautauqua County Board of Elections or go online to www.votechautauqua.com.

ONLY ONE CONTESTED RACE IN JAMESTOWN

JAMESTOWN – As far as local elections go, it will be a quiet year in Jamestown, with only one contested race on the ballot. That race is for the Ward 4 seat in the Jamestown City Council, where incumbent democrat Vince DeJoy will be squaring off against challenger Dan Johnson – who’s been endorsed by the Republican, Conservative and Independence parties.

Jamestown Republican Party Chairman Brent Sheldon says he’s excited about Johnson running as a candidate.

The rest of the council, as well as Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi, are running unopposed. Sheldon said the GOP tried to find a challenger but was unable to do so. Teresi is seeking a fourth term in the mayor’s office. He was first elected to that position in 1999.

LEGISLATURE HAS EIGHT CONTESTED RACES

MAYVILLE – There are also several uncontested races in the county legislature. In fact, a total of 17 seats only have one candidate, with seven incumbent Democrats and ten Republicans (Eight incumbents) going unchallenged.

Of the uncontested races, two new candidates are going unopposed – Vince Horrigan in Bemus Point and PJ Wendel in Lakewood. Both are running for the Republican party. Horrigan will be replacing longtime Republican legislator Dick Babbage while Wendel will be taking the seat currently held by Democratic Minority Leader Rudy Mueller.

There will be eight contested races for the legislature, leaves a total of eight actual races for the Chautauqua County Legislature.

In the city of Jamestown, the Legislative District 14 race features Timothy Hoyer on the Democratic line. He faces Republican candidate Michael Haddad for the district currently represented by Scott Stutzman, I-Jamestown.

In District 15, Maria Kindberg, D-Jamestown, is vacating her seat – making the race a first-time election for both Bob Whitney and David Wilfong. Whitney holds the Democratic, Conservative and Independence lines. Wilfong will appear on the Republican line on November’s ballot.

In District 10 – which covers part of Busti and West Ellicott, incumbent Republican incumbent Mark Tarbrake is being challenged by Pat Tyler, who holds the Democratic, Conservative, Working Families and Independence Party lines.

Other Local races of note include District 7, which covers the towns of Cherry Creek, Ellington and Poland. There, incumbent Republican candidate Bob Stewart is being challenged by Democrat Tamara Miles.

In District 8 – which covers the towns of Carroll and Kiantone, incumbent Republican candidate Tami Downey is being challenged by Thomas Erlandson, who holds the Democratic, Conservative and Independence Party lines.

The Democrats in the legislature who are running unopposed are Keith Ahlstrom, Dunkirk; Shaun Heenan, Dunkirk; Vickeye James, Jamestown; Lori Cornell, Jamestown; Paula DeJoy, Jamestown; Chuck Nazzaro, Jamestown; and Tom DeJoe, Brocton.

The Republicans who stand to return unopposed are Bob Duff, Sheridan; George Borrello, Irving; John Runkle, Stockton; Larry Barmore, Gerry; Jay Gould, Ashville; Fred Croscut, Sherman; David Himelein, Findley Lake; and Bob Scudder, Fredonia.

EDWARDS WILL NOT VETO ITEMS IN BUDGET

MAYVILLE – In other news, County Executive Greg Edwards announced Monday that he will not veto any part of the legislature’s 2012 budget. County lawmakers passed the spending plan in a 20 to 5 vote last month. Edwards then had 10 calendar days to review the changes made and issue any vetoes. Edwards used his Monday Morning Memo yesterday to announcing his decision, in which he called the final budget passed by the legislature “a mockery of our fiscal management policy.” Edwards explained that he would not be implementing any line item vetoes because the budget was passed overwhelmingly by the legislature and therefore the 20 who supported it last month could override any vetoes.

Next year’s budget will take the county’s property tax rate from $8.90 to 9.22 per thousand dollars of assessed value, an increase of 32 cents. As proposed by the county executive, the 2012 budget initially started with a $1.13 per thousand tax increase, which would have taken the property tax rate to $10.03 per thousand.

POLICE SEEK ROBBERY SUSPECT

FINDLEY LAKE – The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred in Findley Lake early Monday morning. According to police, at 5:22 a.m. a white male subject entered the Holiday Inn Express, 3025 Route 426, in Findley Lake, and demanded money from the front desk. Police say he used a semi-automatic pistol to threaten the desk clerk.

The suspect fled in an unknown direction in a vehicle with an undisclosed amount of money.

The suspect is described as a white male, age 20 to 30, 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall, medium build, weighing about 180 to 190 pounds, with grayish-blue eyes and light freckles over the bridge of his nose.

He was wearing a blue winter jacket, knit hat and a scarf over his face to conceal his identity. The hat and scarf were either red or gray in color.

The Sheriff’s office is encouraging anyone with information on this incident to call the We Tip number at 1-800-78-CRIME (800-782-7463) or the Sheriff’s Office at 753-4925. Callers are eligible for a $1,000 reward if the information leads to the arrest and conviction of the person involved. All calls will remain anonymous.