Jamestown Juneteenth organizer Regina Brackman shares details about the three-day festival celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.

Juneteenth organizer and City Councilmember Regina Brackman said the committee has worked hard to plan events that will bring people out to celebrate.

The festival kicks off Friday night with The Breeze Band performing classic R&B, Motown, Soul, and funk music on the Wintergarden Plaza from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Brackman said at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 17, an opening ceremony for the festival will be held at Jackson-Taylor Park, “We have a drum procession that will open up the ceremony. And then we will do a little bit on the Juneteenth history. The mayor will be there and probably some other officials, so they may have an opportunity to speak.”

Brackman said activities at the park will include a basketball clinic by the Jamestown Jackals, a 3-on-3 Basketball tournament, kids activities, and food and craft vendors.

A performance by R&B and Gospel singer Marsha McWilson will be held at 7:00 p.m., Saturday night at the Spire Theatre. Tickets are $5.

And then on Sunday, June 18, a worship service is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. at Jackson-Taylor Park followed by more kids activities and then a Gospel Festival at 3:00 p.m.

Brackman said the Juneteenth Scholarship award presentation will then happen at 5:00 p.m. She said the festival activities helps raise funds for that scholarship, “We talked with one of the recipients from last year’s scholarship award and he is still very thankful and grateful for that scholarship because it allowed him to pay for his books, to buy a laptop to go to school. I mean, anybody that’s going to college, it costs money just to get there as far as books, and bedding, and all this other stuff.”

For more information about the Juneteenth Festival, visit https://www.facebook.com/JTownJTeenth. To learn how to become involved in the Juneteenth Festival planning or learn about the Juneteenth Scholarship, email juneteenthofjamestownny@gmail.com

Jamestown City Council discusses resolution to hire eight fire fighters (April 24, 2023)

Jamestown City Council once again tabled a resolution to hire eight new firefighters at its voting session.

Council member at large Jeff Russell made the motion, citing extenuating circumstances, following a lengthy discussion before a packed council chambers that included most of the members of the Jamestown Fire Department.

Council member at large Kim Ecklund cited financial concerns with the three-year $1.8 million SAFER grant, saying that costs presented to council for those three years is $2.1 million which didn’t include overtime costs, working out of title, and comp time.

She said in 2022, personnel expenses in the Fire Department were $250,000 over budget, “Talking financially, this grant will not provide all those previously mentioned items I just talked about as well as training, estimated at $46,000, uniforms estimated at $46,000, and other incidental expenses. While people don’t want to hear this, we as a council have to remain fiscally responsible and understanding the needs of our departments and empathetic to the future of Jamestown.”

Ecklund said based on these numbers, the city could be faced with a $450 to $500,000 total shortfall over the three years of the grant. She said the American Rescue Plan funds used to hire four firefighters in 2022 runs out the the last year of the SAFER grant, which leaves another $382,000 for the city to fund.

Crowd for the Jamestown City Council meeting (April 24, 2023)

Ecklund said a second ambulance would bring in more revenue but running the two ambulances would not bring in the $750 to $900,000 needed. Deputy Fire Chief Matt Coon had informed Council previously that the estimated revenue from running two ambulances is about $400,000 total a year.

Council member Marie Carrubba commented that former City Comptrollers Joe Bellitto and Ryan Thompson had both previously stated that the hiring of the four ARPA funded firefighters would “stretch the city’s budget to its limit,” “The idea that we’d hire an additional eight would be unsustainable and we have to look at that. And I don’t always agree with Mr. Champ, but I think you said it very well tonight. We have to be concerned not only with the present, but the future and the financial condition of the city when we are reaching our constitutional taxing limit, when we’re not able to raise taxes, my question to all of the citizens are what do you want us to cut?”

Ecklund asked Mayor Eddie Sundquist if the SAFER grant would allow the city to hire less than the eight firefighters proposed.

Sundquist responded that if Council provides him a number, he can ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency about that. None of the previous discussions by the city administration until Monday’s voting session indicated that the grant allowed the city to hire less than eight fire fighters under the grant.

The motion to table the resolution until May passed with just Council member Regina Brackman voting no.

In a related resolution, Council did approve purchasing a second ambulance for the fire department with $250,000 in American Rescue Plan funds.

The event will take place noon to 7:00 p.m. at the Morton Club located at 118 Pratt Avenue in Jamestown.

It will feature a basket raffle as well as beer and wine slushies.

Tickets are $15 and include a half chicken, a choice of potato or macaroni salad, baked beans, and a roll. They can be purchased at the door or presale by calling (716) 708-9942.

Juneteenth Organizer Regina Brackman said proceeds from the event and other Juneteenth events go to support the Juneteenth Scholarship fund, “I think it was in 2021, we were able to give away three $800 scholarships just based on assets of the events that we had and the money that was raised. Last year, we gave away three $1,000 scholarships. So, it seems like we’re progressing on the amount of the value of the scholarships that we can give away.”

Brackman said the scholarship is open to students in the Greater Jamestown region.

She said they’re still looking for volunteers to help at the fundraiser on April 29 and for Juneteenth as well. People who are interested can contact Regina at 716-499-5849.

For more information about Juneteenth activities in Jamestown, visit facebook.com/JtownJteenth

Democrat and current Mayor Eddie Sundquist previously announced he is seeking re-election for a second term with Republican Council Member at Large Kim Ecklund recently announcing she will be running against him for the seat.

The City Democratic Committee has endorsed local attorney John I. LaMancuso to run for City Court Judge. His father, John L. LaMancuso, has held that position for 29 years. Republicans have not endorsed a candidate for that race.

Democratic endorsements for City Council At Large include Isaiah Rashad II and returning candidate Alyssa Porter. Republicans have endorsed incumbents Jeff Russell and Randy Daversa; as well as Russ Bonfiglio.

Republican Ward 1 Council member Brent Sheldon and Ward 2 Council member and Council President Tony Dolce are running unopposed.

Ward 3 Democratic Incumbent Regina Brackman will again face Republican Robert Reedy. That race in 2021 was determined by three absentee ballots.

Democratic incumbent Marie Carrubba has been endorsed again to represents Ward 4 and will face Republican Joe Paterniti.

Republican Incumbent Bill Reynolds will face Democrat Kaycee Colburn for Ward 5 and Republican Incumbent Andrew Faulkner will be running against former Council Member at Large Vanessa Weinert in Ward 6.

For the County Legislature endorsements, Democratic incumbent Billy Torres and Republican Phillip Landy have been endorsed for District 9.

Republican incumbent Jamie Gustafson will face newcomer Democrat Julie Jackson-Forsberg for District 10.

Republican incumbent Dave Wilfong is unopposed for District 11.

District 12 endorsements include Republican Elisabeth Rankin against former Democratic County Legislator and former County Attorney Fred Larson.

Democratic Incumbent Tom Nelson will face Republican Joseph Tickle for District 13.

Candidate petitioning to get on the election ballot begins tomorrow, February 28 and ends April 6. Any primaries necessary will be held on Tuesday, June 22, 2023.

Jamestown City Council holds special voting session to override vetoes to the 2023 City Budget (December 12, 2022)

Jamestown City Council has voted to override all of Mayor Eddie Sundquist’s vetoes to the 2023 City Budget.

The $38.68 million budget as passed by Council on November 28, 2022 will stand following the special voting session. There is no tax increase in that budget.

Council voted 8 to 1, with Bill Reynolds voting no, to override the veto of the $75,000 increase to sales tax revenue. On the veto of the $6,500 cut to the Mayor’s Office travel and education lines, Council overrode that by a vote of 6 to 3. Councilmembers Regina Brackman, Bill Reynolds, and Jeff Russell voted on on that.

Council voted 7 to 2 to override the $5,600 cut to the engineering supplies line. Regina Brackman and Bill Reynolds voted no on that measure. And the veto of the $3,000 cut to the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency was overriden by a vote of 8 to 1 with Regina Brackman being the only no vote. A procedural veto of the appropriations line was overriden unanimously.

Finance Committee Chair and Council member at large Kim Ecklund said due to the errors needing to be corrected in the proposed budget, it was council’s unanimous decision that all departments felt the pinch through cuts, not adding items, or keeping lines stagnant, “While I truly understand the risk in the sales tax, I also do know that there was another $52,000 that was found in error in the budget. Without showing that and having that, my personal opinion is to let those ride and come together in an over-under.”

Council member Marie Carrubba said the budget process was made more difficult this year by Comptroller Ryan Thompson resigning in July with someone new coming in.

Mayor Sundquist said this is democracy in action but he is still concerned about Council’s increase to sales tax revenues, “I do not think it is realistic and I think it sets the city up for failure for that high of a sales tax amount. Given the fact we’d only budgeted 2% to 3% and this amount incorporates almost 6, 7% to last year, it’s a little high for my taste. In fact, the County only budgeted about 5%.”

Sundquist said the 2023 budget is balanced as it now stands.

A free showing of the movie “Sister Act” will take place at the National Comedy Center on Friday, June 17 with other activities planned for June 18 and 19 at Jackson-Taylor Park.

Juneteenth Planning Committee Chair Regina Brackman said there will be a lot of activities for families and kids, “Games and carnival activities, we have a three-on-three basketball tournament that will be going through the day, there will be music, we have food vendors, Juneteenth (committee) will be operating a concession stand. That money from the concession stand goes toward our scholarship fund.”

Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, originated in Galveston, Texas to commemorate the anniversary date of June 19, 1865 when the announcement came proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas, which was the last state of the confederacy with institutional slavery.

President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law in 2021, recognizing the day as a federal holiday.

Brackman said Juneteenth means a lot today with the Buffalo mass shooting and racial division she sees, “The fact that they made it a holiday speaks volumes, because now you’re acknowledging that that was a pivotal time in our history. And that it needs to be acknowledged, you know, this is a celebration. I think it gives pride that we’re a population that endured a lot and we’ve come a long way, but there’s still a long way to go.”

Brackman said they still need volunteers to help with setting up the event and then during the event. She said they also welcome donations to help defray costs of the event.

Those interested in volunteering or donating to this year’s Juneteenth Celebration can email juneteenthofjamestownny@gmail.com or visit the group’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/JTownJTeenth/

Jamestown City Council

Jamestown City Council members promised “more is to come” after approving over $2 million in American Rescue Plan funded projects Monday night.

While Council members Regina Brackman and Andrew Faulkner voted no, all other council members approved $500,000 toward the redesign of West Third Street.

Council President Tony Dolce said the decision to remove the Cathedral Oaks over a year ago was difficult and emotional, “I know there was a lot of talk of, at that point, of doing some work. That it was a time to start that entrance to the city. To start over. Those sidewalks are in rough shape. It is a major thoroughfare for people to walk and drive, although the street is not going to be reconstructed.”

DPW Director Jeff Lehman said the project will go before the Jamestown Planning Commission in April, with work hopefully beginning in May. He said the new trees will be planted by the Parks Department in the Fall.

Council also approved using $750,000 ARP funds for a Roof, Private Sewer Lateral, Private Water Line Repair/Replacement grant program.

Council member at large Jeff Russell said he was happy to support the resolution as it will help homeowners, “I understand that there has to be equal money that goes toward our businesses and our downtown but I’m surely am not going to forget about the elderly people that might be struggling to make their mortgage payment with super high inflation going on and they can’t afford some of these repairs. And I will push for some of this money to continue to go back to the taxpayers.”

Council member Marie Carrubba said her office often receives calls from seniors, retirees, and veterans with limited funds who are looking for help with housing issues, “And try to get roofs repaired especially in some of the older homes that they occupy is extremely difficult along with replacing water and sewer lines. I’ve heard that excavators, I think, start around $6000 to have one in your front yard. Most of the people that, you know, if you look at the median income around $43,000 in the city, it’s not affordable for individuals to maintain their properties when these kind of emergencies occur.”

Council also approved using American Rescue Plan funds for replacing water mains, equipment for DPW, upgrades to the fire stations, and creating a Tree-Damaged Sidewalk Replacement Rebate program.

Dolce said when it comes to the ARP funds received by the city, the council has a fiduciary responsibility to see that it’s spent wisely and they do get a return on investment, “There are a lot of people who have a lot of needs. $28 million is just a drop in the bucket for what is needed in this community. We’ll do our due diligence and do the best we can to expend the money as we see fit. Again, a delicate balance in neighborhoods versus providing for our business downtown and our industries. There is a lot of need in different areas. We’re looking at all those different areas when we’re making these decisions.”

Council also approved allocating $1.227 million in additional American Rescue Plan funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development toward a Rental Rehabilitation Program. Director of Development Crystal Surdyk said she anticipates submitting the program for approval by HUD by the end of this week.

Jamestown City Council

Seven Jamestown City Council members issued a statement calling Mayor Eddie Sundquist‘s remarks after Council voted down the firefighter’s contract “inflammatory.”

The five Council member who voted down the contract as well as Council Member at Large Kim Ecklund and Council President Tony Dolce said Sundquist’s remarks in a press release that Council voting down the firefighters’ contract was a choice “not to invest in public safety” and “to defund our firefighters” was “untrue.” The only Council member not to sign the statement was Ward 3 Council Member Regina Brackman, who had voted yes on the contract.

The council members, in a statement, cited their actions to approve the Police union’s contract, a new roof for Fire Station #4, and a new sidewalk plow the same evening as well as previously approving the purchase of 4 new police cars when the Mayor’s plan had only included purchasing one.

The statement said that if Council had approved the firefighter’s contract, the financial cost to the city through year 2024 would exceed $2.1 million for the salary increases, benefits, and hiring of 4 additional firefighters. They also cited again that the savings from removing lifetime healthcare benefits for new hires, based on actuary reporting, would be $8.8 million dollars but not until the year 2061.

The seven council members said that with the City no longer receiving $1 million from New York State, the current city budget is now underfunded by $1 million and had council approved the firefighter’s contract, the budget deficit would be over $3 million by 2024.

The statement said that the seven Council members understand that changes are needed in the provision of EMS services, however, “the city’s current finances cannot support what has been proposed in the agreement and would unduly burden city taxpayers;” and that “alternative opportunities need to be explored.”

The statement closed with the hope that the union and administration can resume negotiations and reach an agreement that is financially sustainable and one that the City Council can support.

Around 20 amendments were adopted that reduced the amount taken from the fund balance from $1.3 million to $643,568. Those amendments included increasing expected revenues for sales tax by $172,780, limiting management salaries to a 2.5% increase for a $43,340 savings, and cutting $8,380 dollars budgeted for the Human Rights Commission. Four council members, including Regina Brackman, Grant Olson, Tom Nelson, and Tamu Graham-Reinhardt voted against the $6,000 cut to the HRC. The funding had been requested for outreach work and a diversity festival.

A resolution on allocating $3.7 million dollars in lost revenue from the American Rescue Plan Act Local Recovery funds for the 2022 Capital Improvement Program also was tabled.

Council President Tony Dolce said the Council will act on the American Rescue Plan funds at its December meeting and plans to address concerns raised by members of the public about how public safety is funded, “And increasing the amount of funding for different pieces of equipment, different things in the police department particularly, and the fire department. And those things will also be discussed and probably part of the ARPA or American Recovery funds as we move forward.”

Mayor Eddie Sundquist said he wished Council had acted on the Capital Improvement Program, “Which do provide a lot of support for police, our fire, and all of our other departments. You know, by punting it to the next month they only take us longer to work on these projects. We’ll evaluate each one, although I do anticipate some vetoes will be on the way.”

Sundquist has until next Monday, or 5 business days, to submit any vetoes he may have. He said of the amendments made by Council to the budget, he was disappointed in the cut to the Human Rights Commission, “And that commission has been working hard to really to provide some understanding and diversity to the city. So to provide a small amount of funding for them to do a festival is really sad that the council took that away.”

He also was not happy with the cut to the Mayor’s travel budget as wells as a $10,000 cut to the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency.

The tax rate remains at $23.69 per $1,000 assessed property value.

A local law to opt out of allowing cannabis dispensaries and consumption establishments was automatically tabled. It will be discussed at the December Council meetings.