Jamestown Local Development Corporation meeting (May 17, 2023)

A second round of $35,000 in downtown business grants were approved by the Jamestown Local Development Corporation board on Wednesday.

Grants Manager Tim O’Dell said the awards came from the Downtown Small Business Evolution fund.

He said Nouveau Beauty Aesthetics has been awarded $8,000 toward a $27,000 project to purchase new equipment that the businesses said will help sales increase by 20% based on the new services that will be available to customers.

Lisciandro’s Restaurant will receive $5,000 toward a $15,548 project to put in new floors and booths.

Sandees Bakery will use the $10,000 grant for the $19,760 purchase of a new meatball machine which will help with catering needs.

The Beer Snob has been granted $7,000 toward a $14,900 purchase of a three-door fridge to improve to-go purchases of beverages.

Art Cloth and Craft has received $5,000 toward the $8,000 purchase of sewing machines to use to create goods for the store in addition to use the machines for classes.

The JLDC board also approved three Fund for Downtown Programming requests.

The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts received $21,160 for three summer concert events that include a block party. The concerts receiving support include Lez Zeppelin on June 17, Vixen on July 9, and the block party with Uncle Ben’s Remedy on July 27.

Ballgame Heroes were approved up to $29,500 for a Trading Card Buffalo Bills Signing Show with Andre Reed. The event would include a VIP party on September 15 followed by a signing event on September 16. Owner Starr Ryder said the funds would be used toward Mr. Reed’s talent fee as well as to purchase merchandise that attendees could buy to have signed.

Collaborative Children’s Solutions also was approved $15,000 for a Winterfest event that will take place from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, December 2 ahead of the annual Christmas parade. Organizer Pat Smeraldo said he’s working out details still but the event could include an outdoor synthetic ice rink, live music, Christmas village, ice sculptures, and more.

The annual event recognizes some of the local businesses, individuals, and organizations that make a difference in the community.

Awards will be presented to the following:
New Business of the Year – Southern Sails Junk Removal
Restaurant of the Year – Tim Hortons of Jamestown & Olean
Retailer of the Year – Everyday’s True Value
Service to Humanity Award – Patrick Smeraldo
Legacy Award – The Post-Journal
Pride of Jamestown Award – Chuck DeAngelo
Business of the Year – D & S Glass Service

Collaborative Children’s Solutions owner Pat Smeraldo tells us about the annual Downtown Jamestown Christmas Parade taking place Saturday, December 3, 2022.

The parade will begin at 6:00 p.m. on West Third Street before the Third Street Bridge and continue down Third Street to Tracy Plaza in front of the Jamestown Municipal Building.

Collaborative Children’s Solutions owner Pat Smeraldo said this year’s theme is “Season of Joy,” “Last year was about diversity and how diverse our city is. Everybody has a different way they relate to Christmas. And me being a teacher and being in an elementary school now, it might be a television show. Or if you’re an adult, it might be a favorite food you look forward to, or way to give a gift, or a Secret Santa, or something like that. So, it was a way for people to express the way they show the joy of Christmas to them.”

Smeraldo said the family of Matt and Danielle Stone will be the Grand Marshals for the parade in recognition of their work with foster care in the city, “The Stones have been great. We collaborated with them on their Birthday Box Project. And if anybody knows Danielle Stone, she’s a firecracker. She took it and ran with it. They donated 100 birthday boxes for next year for New Directions and CASA and the money stayed right here in Chautauqua County.”

Smeraldo said parade attendees are invited to bring a toy to donate to the Toys for Tots float as it goes by. He also said the block between Lafayette and Washington Streets will be a “no siren” zone for adults and children who are adversely affected by loud noise.

Smeraldo added that the Christmas Tree lighting on Tracy Plaza will take place just before the fireworks show at about 8:00 p.m.

Jamestown Salary Review Commission holds first meeting (October 18, 2022)

The Jamestown Salary Review Commission is looking at options for the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities to pay a stipend toward an increase in the Mayor’s salary.

The Commission held its first meeting Tuesday to discuss salaries for the Mayor and City Council. By City Charter, the advisory commission is required to meet every four years and present a recommendation for any adjustments to salaries to City Council. Council then can choose to accept or take no action. Any changes would not go into effect until January 1, 2024.

City Corporation Counsel Elliot Raimondo made a suggestion that the commission approach the Jamestown BPU about contributing to the mayor’s salary, “One of the suggestions we had is that the Mayor in his current role serves as Chairman of the BPU Board. The Commission, as a whole, would like to know how much time the Mayor is spending as the Chairman of the BPU Board and whether that time should be compensated by the BPU Board. So that is something we have to explore as a Commission.”

The mayor’s salary is $72,000 and hasn’t been increased since 2008. Council member salaries are $5,000 with the Council President receiving an additional $1,000 stipend. Those salaries haven’t been increased since 1984.

Commission member Pat Smeraldo asked how much salaries have increased for union contracts going back five years, now that all bargaining units are current. Raimondo replied that with looking back five year until now, it’s a 10-12% increase.

General consensus by members is that both the mayor and city council have had an increased workload, especially with social media making it easier to reach out to elected officials.

Tage Hall was selected as the Chair of the Commission. Their next meeting will be 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

Jamestown City Council (September 26, 2022)

The Jamestown Salary Review Commission is ready to go after City Council approved the final appointments needed Monday night.

Council President Tony Dolce‘s appointments of Pat Smeraldo, Mike Laurin, and Taje Hall were approved to serve on the commission.

He said he wanted to choose people who were interested in serving and had some government background, “I know that some of the Mayor’s appointments are former department heads, so I was trying to put together a group that would understand the history and understand a little bit about the process so they’re not exactly starting from ground zero.”

Mayor Eddie Sundquist‘s appointments that were approved in August are former City Comptrollers Joe Bellitto and Ryan Thompson; as well as Heather Greenfield, who is the Financial Coordinator for the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency.

The City Charter requires that a Salary Review Commission is convened every four years to review the salaries of all elected officials.

Dolce said the commission would likely start meeting next month. He said they are required to present a recommendation to the City Council by the end of the year. City Council then votes on those recommendations.

Any salary changes would not go into effect until January 1, 2024. The Mayor’s current salary is $72,000 which hasn’t had an increase since 2008. City Council members receive a $5,000 salary with the Council President receiving an additional $1,000 stipend. Dolce said it has been 38 years since council’s salary has been adjusted.

Collaborative Children’s Solutions owner Pat Smeraldo discusses the Jamestown Labor Day Festival scheduled for September 4, 2022 as well as other events he’s helping organize over the next couple of months.

Collaborative Children’s Solutions owner Pat Smeraldo is organizing this year’s event in conjunction with the city of Jamestown. The festival has been on hold for the last two years due to the Pandemic.

Smeraldo said the Dan Feather 5K will be in the morning with the Arts & Craft Show starting at 11:00 a.m., “And then at noon is when the entertainment begins and the food vendors begin. So, the park will be open at 11 but at noon is when the entertainment will start and not only music but Randy Grey with Southern Tier Wrestling and Mike Baron‘s magician shows, petting zoo, Scott Mekus will be up there doing kids games and bingo.”

Smeraldo said the Jamestown Area Central Labor Council AFL-CIO will present the George Ritzer Labor Award at 4:30 p.m. on the main stage.

The fireworks show by Zambelli Fireworks Internationale will take place about 8:30 p.m.

While admission to the park is free, parking for the event is $5 with proceeds going toward the festival.

CCS Owner Pat Smeraldo said his wife got the idea for the event from something similar she attended in Warren, Pennsylvania, “They dress up. It’s only women. There’s dance music. There’s treats. She has really worked her tail off and she has probably 10 or 12 baskets for a basket raffle collected. So, it’s a great event.”

The event takes place from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. in the Northwest Arena Reception Room on Saturday, September 3.

Tickets are $25 and attendees must be 21 to attend.

For more information, visit http://ccsolutions716.com/