The entire Jamestown Community is continuing to mourn the sudden loss of council woman Victoria “Vickye” James, who pass away suddenly on Saturday, March 27.

Vickye was known for her love of her family and her years of work and community service, which included elected office in the both Chautauqua County Legislature and the Jamestown City Council.

This week on Community Matters, we’ll let other elected officials – both past and present – share their thoughts and memories of Vickye and the impact she left on the community.

Our program will feature comments from Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist, former mayor Sam Teresi, current City Council President Tony Dolce, former president and current councilmember Marie Carrubba, current council member Kim Ecklund, former council president Greg Rabb, and former councilmember Mike Taylor.

During the final city council meeting of the year on Monday Night, Jamestown City Councilman and Finance Committee chairman Tony Dolce announced that the city had reached a collective bargaining agreement with its police (Kendell Club) and fire unions. Dolce said both agreements would be retroactive to the start of 2012 and will remain in place until December 31, 2015.

Under the terms of both agreements, the city will give policeman and fireman in both unions a retroactive salary increase of 2 percent for 2012. There will be no increase for 2013. In 2014, members of both unions will see a 2.75 percent increase, with that same raise scheduled for 2015. Combined over the four years, the total salary increase would be just under 7.7 percent. Under the terms of the contract, a policeman or fireman who was making $60,000 a year in 2011 will see his/her salary at $64,600 in 2015.

The new contracts also call for the employees to cover 17 percent of their healthcare premiums – a 1 percent increase from the previous contract. The contracts also include the implementation of a wellness program for the employees, which will help to reduce total healthcare costs.

Dolce credited Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi and his staff for being able to finalize the contract without the need to go to binding arbitration, which he said would have more than likely ended up costing the city more money. “I want to thank the mayor and his staff, as well as the members of the union, who negotiated,” Dolce said. “As you know, both those unions having under the state’s Taylor Law, the ability to go to binding arbitration. The fact that we didn’t have to go that route and the fact that they gave a number of concessions certainly helped.”

“It was a long way between where we started and where we ended up,” he added. “We’re happy. Not every body gets everything they want but certainly its always good when you can work it out.”

City Council President Greg Rabb was also pleased to see the increase, saying the agreement sets a precedent for negotiations with the city’s other bargaining units.

“Those are significant contracts that set the tone for our other negotiations, so its good to have that done – as councilwoman [Marie] Karrubba pointed out – through negotiations rather than arbitration,” Rabb explained. “So its a good deal for the city and I think its a good deal for the workers or they wouldn’t have voted for it. It’s a happy outcome.”

Rabb says the city still has to finalize contracts for the unions representing city DPW workers and city clerical workers.

The new contracts were both approved unanimously by the council. The city police contract received a vote of 7-0, while the city fire contract received a vote of 6-0 with city councilwoman at-large Kim Ecklund recusing herself from the vote due to a conflict of interest. Both outgoing city council members Stephen Szwejbka of Ward 1 and Ward 3 councilman Michael Taylor were absent from the meeting.

Promotional poster for the Great American Trailer Park Musical, making its debut in Jamestown on May 24, 2013.

JAMESTOWN – Big Time Productions will present “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” later this month at the Spire Theater in downtown Jamestown. In anticipation of the show, WRFA’s Jason Sample sat down and talked with director Angelo Giuffre about the performance during the May 17 episode of Arts on Fire.

• AUDIO – LISTEN TO INTERVIEW

Set in Starke, Fla., at the Armadillo Acres Trailer Park, “Trailer Park” tells the tale of high-school sweethearts Norbert (Corey Osborne) and agoraphobic Jeannie (Cathy Covarrubias). Their nearly 20-year marriage is jeopardized when newcomer Pippi (Shannon Nixon) begins an affair with Norbert. Meanwhile, Pippi’s jealous boyfriend, Duke (Michael Taylor), travels from Oklahoma City to Starke seeking his runaway lover. Helping the story along are Armadillo Acres residents Betty (Jamie Lee), Linoleum “Lin” (Ylsa Giuffre) and Donna “Pickles” (Jillianne Dolce Higgs), three women who introduce themselves and their neighbors in song while setting up the story and its themes.

Music and lyrics for “Trailer Park” are by David Nehls and the book is by Betsy Kelso. Accompanying the hijinks at the trailer park is the “trailer trash band” Barb Cybart on guitar, Sara Rafaloski on bass, David Reino on Keyboards and Glenn Wahl on drums.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical will take place May 24, 25, 31, and June 1 at 8. p.m. at The Spire Theater (317 E. 3rd St., Jamestown N.Y.). For tickets visit The Labyrinth Press Co. Café on E 4th Street in Jamestown or call the box (716) 450-7357.

The only holdout is Councilman Michael Taylor (D-Ward 3). Taylor said at this point he’s not going to announce his intentions, although he did say he is leaning against running for another term.

Taylor was the center of controversy one year ago when on April 15, 2012, he was arrested on a charge of criminal mischief after being accused of breaking a large window at a local business. The following week, he was arrested again for DWI.

Following last night’s meeting, City Council President Greg Rabb says the council’s primary focus at this point is Taylor’s health and well being.

“I spent part of the weekend getting a hold of all the councilmen and we had a discussion this evening, just to see what the sense of the council is,” said Rabb. “The discussion among the council members continues to be his well being and we want him to get the help that he needs, so that he can be a fully functioning council member and human being. That’s where my concern stays.”

Taylor has pleaded not guilty to both charges. He has also stepped down from his post as chairman of the council’s public safety committee. His next court appearance is Thursday, June 14 in Jamestown City Court.

According to a police report, officers responded to an incident at Sneakers bar at 100 Harrison St. after a person broke out a large window of the building. The incident allegedly took place at 2:30 a.m. Saturday. The man had left the area before police arrived but was later identified as Taylor. Police issued an arrest warrant, and Taylor turned himself in at the Jamestown Police Department yesterday afternoon.

Taylor posted bail and attended last night’s city council work session. According to an article in today’s Jamestown Post-Journal, Taylor – who was elected to his post in 2005 – announced he would be stepping down as chairman of the council’s Public Safety Committee, although he will continue to serve on the council while his case continues. Councilman Stephen Szwejbka will take over as Public Safety Committee chairman.The next court date regarding Taylor’s charge is tentatively set for April 20.

Over a dozen people were on hand for the meeting and several spoke out during the public comment portion, including Councilman Mike Taylor, who said city lawmakers are continuing to hear comments from concerned patrons and expect a group to be in attendance during next Monday’s city council meeting. Taylor also asked if the board planned to hold a public forum to address concerns and questions. Among the other concerns brought forward during yesterday’s meeting were in regard to the library’s material selection policy and the policy regarding the use of the public meeting room.

Later in the meeting after some discussion, the board reached a consensus that it would if the concerns and questions from the public have not diminished by the next meeting in April, it would consider holding the forum.

The library is also in the process of a public survey to get feedback from its patrons, and the board will be working to improve its website and social media presence to all the public an opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns in those areas as well.

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown City Council has approved an amended $33-million budget for 2012, but it didn’t come until after some contentious debate among council members. City lawmakers last night approved an 11^th hour budget proposal that was brought forward by Ward-2 Councilman Vince DeJoy (D), which called for a tax rate increase of 2.33 percent, or $.49 per thousand assessed value.

DeJoy’s plan – which reduced spending from the mayor’s proposed budget by $100,000 – differed from the one that was put forward last week by councilman Tony Dolce (R). DeJoy was against Dolce’s plan to use $50,000 extra from the city’s contingency fund balance and instead offered a plan that provided additional  spending cuts. While presenting his budget in work session, DeJoy said he would be against seeing significant changes to his plan, which didn’t sit well with Dolce, who felt there should be some room for compromise between the two options.

Following a testy exchange between DeJoy and Dolce, Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi provided an explanation as to why he felt DeJoy’s plan was the better of the two, explaining the need for preserving as much of the fund balance as possible. Teresi also said that his staff had reservations with DeJoy’s plan, but felt it’s better to cut spending first and then restore it only if necessary.

After some discussion, the council was able to slightly amend DeJoy’s plan by restoring a $1,000 cut to the city playground supervisor budget and instead taking that money out of the general capitol budget.

After it was finalized in the work session, the spending plan was put up for a vote during the regular voting session. Councilman Mike Taylor (D) attempted to amend the plan on the floor of the legislature, but it was voted down by a vote of five to four. DeJoy’s plan was then voted on and  approved six to three. Councilmembers Dolce and Kim Ecklund (R), along with Steve Szwejbka (I), voted against it.

ELECTION COMMISSIONER GREEN FACES TWO MISDEMEANOR CHARGES

MAYVILLE – The democratic election commissioner for Chautauqua County has been charged with two election law misdemeanors. Commissioner Norman Green was arraigned Monday in Chautauqua County Court. The attempt to indict on felony charges failed to pass grand jury.

The election law charge against Green stems from last year’s state Assembly race between Nancy Bargar and Andy Goodell. Following the race, Green was accused by Goodell of use a stall tactic that prevented Goodell from getting the Independence Party line on the ballot.

Green was released Monday on his own recognizance. Chautauqua County will retain jurisdiction over the case with Cattaraugus County Court Judge Michael Nenno presiding. A date for the next court proceeding in the case has not yet been set.

JAMESTOWN CONCERT ASSOCIATION TO PRESENT SYMPHONY SYRACUSE

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Concert Association is pleased to once again present Symphony Syracuse at the Reg Lenna Civic Center on Wednesday, November 30 at 8:00 PM.

Conductor Ron Spigelman will conduct the 79 member Orchestra which will feature seasonal classics, traditional carols, music from the Nutcracker and other popular favorites.

Tickets are on sale at the Reg Lenna Box Office, Chautauqua Music, Germaine & Pappalardo and Trinity Guitars. Tickets are $25 adult, $20 senior, $7.50 college student with a $3 discount for adult and senior tickets if purchased presale. Youths 18 and under are free with a paid adult ticket holder. Call the Box Office at 484.7070 or the concert association at 487.1522 for additional information.

INFINITY PROVIDES GIFT WRAPPING STATION AT CHAUTAUQUA MALL

JAMESTOWN – Infinity Visual and Performing Arts is excited to provide a gift wrapping station for the 2011 Holiday Shopping Season at the Chautauqua Mall.  The station will be open each day until Saturday, December 24^th in the food court area.  Donations will be accepted for all giftwrapping, with 100-percent of all donations collected being used to support programming at Infinity. For more information, Call 664-0991.