JAMESTOWN – A group of concerned residents will be at the James Prendergast Library this afternoon to express their concerns regarding possible changes in services. The group is will attend today’s Friends of the Prendergast Library meeting in the library’s Fireplace Room.

Some of the concerns include the executive director Linda Mielke’s 2012 operating budget. A member of the group claims the budget is calling for the cancellation of an estimated 80 magazine titles, discarding reference books to make room for DVDs, and a reduction in non-fiction spending while increasing the amount being spent on fiction. The group will also express their interest in preserving a mural that currently sits in the Children’s Room at the library.

Today’s meeting is open to the public. It begin at 5 p.m. in the library’s Fireplace Room.

JAMESTOWN BIKE, PEDESTRIAN PLAN MOVING FORWARD

JAMESTOWN – The city of Jamestown is on its way to becoming a better and safer place for pedestrians and bicyclists. That’s according to the consulting firm Pashek from Pittsburgh, who is working with the Chautauqua County Health Network to create a pedestrian and bicycle plan that not only makes it safer for current walkers and riders – but would also encourage others to take part in walking or riding as well. Its part of the Chautauqua County Health Network’s  Creating Healthy Places initiative.

Monday night, officials from Pashek updated the members of a steering committee charged with overseeing the development and completion of a City of Jamestown Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan.  Among the issues discussed were an effort to target areas with safety concerns in the city, as well as locating the primary bicycle routes through the city so that they can be improved for better bicycle use.

Creating Healthy Places Project Coordinator Janet Forbes says she is pleased with the work Pashek has done so far, including the research they’ve done to develop the plan. Health Network executive Director Anne Abdella also reminds resident that while this plan is new, it is also building off of several others that have been developed in recent years, which also directly or indirectly addressed bicycling and walking issues.

Members of the steering committee will spend the next couple of weeks fine-tuning the plan. Once they’ve provided their input, the plan will then be put forward for public review, where members of the community can offer their input into the process.

CITY SEEKS STATE’S APPROVAL FOR INCREASING CERTIFICATE REPRODUCTION FEES

JAMESTOWN – The city of Jamestown is hoping New York State will make quick work of a request that was approved last night by the city council. City lawmakers approved a resolution last night requesting the state grant permission allowing the city to charge an increased fee for providing copies of a birth or death certificate.

Council President Greg Rabb adds that he’s not sure how long it will take for state lawmakers to even view the request, let alone if they would grant approval. The city currently charges $10 for each copy it produces.

HIGGINS APPOINTED TO SUBCOMMITTEE ON CONTERTERRORISM

WASHINGTON – Congressman Brian Higgins has been selected by the House Committee on Homeland Security to serve as Ranking Member of its Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. The Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence has jurisdiction over the Department of Homeland Security’s intelligence divisions.

In a press release, Higgins said he is particularly interested in having the opportunity to explore the threat of Hezbollah in the Western Hemisphere, which is an issue of great concern for the Western New York community.

Higgins has been a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security since January 2011.

FORUM ON COUNTY LANDFILL IS TONIGHT

MAYVILLE – The first in a series of Chautauqua County-sponsored public forums on the County Landfill will take place tonight in Ellery. The forums are designed as an effort to discuss issues of concern with local government officials and residents.

The meetings will be conducted by an advisory committee co-chaired by Legislator Vince Horrigan and Department of Public Facilities Director George Spanos. Other members of the committee will include County Legislator Larry Barmore, Ellery Town Councilman Mark Schlemmer, Chautauqua County Planning Board members Mike Rodgers and John Penhollow, and a representative from the Town of Gerry.

The forums will be open to the public and the initial meeting will be held on Tonight  at 7 p.m. at the Ellery Town Hall in Bemus Point.