Vickye James

The Princess Club and Book M.A.R.K Program at the YWCA of Jamestown are the first recipients of the Vickye James Blueprint Fund.

The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County announced the awards.

The Princess Club is a community-based organization fostering mentorship, friendship, fun, and support for girls in the greater Jamestown area. Girls ages 4-13 can attend a weekly program during the summer.

The Blueprint funds will cover the expenses for general operational costs and activities that provide positive experiences and opportunities for girls to build self-esteem, reading skills and healthy habits.

Princess Club Director and Founder Brenda Stewart shared the Vickye James was a leading member of the club for several years.

The YWCA Book M.A.R.K. (Motivating Aspiring Reading with Kindness) Program is an inter-generational social justice literacy program that helps plant the seeds for the elimination of racism and discrimination among youth by focusing on the celebration of various cultures, ethnicities, and identities.

Through books, personal stories, and activities, Book M.A.R.K aims to provide students and teachers alike with the tools necessary to facilitate productive conversations about racism, bullying, and discrimination. The Blueprint funds will cover training and facilitation of volunteers for the program.

YWCA Social Justice and Racial Equity Director Alizé Scott-Nowell said the volunteer-based program will provide, “opportunities for leadership development, especially for historically underrepresented community members to lead conversations surrounding their own cultural experiences.” She added that the program is already being offered at Washington Middle, Fletcher Elementary, Bush Elementary, and Southwestern Elementary and Middle schools.

Ms. James, who passed away in 2021, was a member of the Board of Directors of United Way for seven years and served as Board President from 2008-2010. She was one of only four female presidents during the 122-year history of United Way, and the only African American to serve as president to date.

All requests for funding from the Vickye James Blueprint Fund must fall within the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County’s four areas of Strategic Focus: Academic Success, Self Sufficiency, Work Readiness, and Health & Independence.

Applications for funding are accepted on a rolling basis.

For more information, visit uwayscc.org/vickye-james-blueprint-fund.

EDITOR’S NOTE: As a point of transparency and disclosure to our audience, United Way of Southern Chautauqua County is a corporate underwriter for WRFA and has provided a financial contribution for the general operations of the station within the past year. Funding we receive for General Operations is not used to fund our coverage of local news in the community. That is only made possible through a Community Service Grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. 

Vickye James

A new grant fund has been created at the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County in honor of former Board President Vickye James.

James, who died in 2021, was a member of the Board of Directors of United Way for seven years and served as Board President from 2008-2010. She was one of only four female presidents during the 122-year history of United Way, and the only African American to serve as president to date.

The Vickye James Blueprint Fund, created in her honor, will provide grants for non-profits for programs and activities in the areas of youth engagement and development; Juneteenth event support, leadership development efforts focused on historically marginalized communities; poverty-reduction efforts, and support for grassroots or newly formed organizations.

All requests for funding must fall within the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County’s four areas of Strategic Focus: Academic Success, Self Sufficiency, Work Readiness, and Health and Independence.
Organizations interested in applying should first visit the United Way’s website for additional information about how to apply, including deadlines and process, at uwayscc.org/vickye-james-blueprint-fund.

For questions about the fund, contact Lindsey Goold, Director of Community Impact, at 716-483-1561 ext. 201 or email her at lrensel@uwayscc.org.

EDITOR’S NOTE: As a point of transparency and disclosure to our audience, the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County is a corporate underwriter for WRFA and has provided a financial contribution for the general operations of the station within the past year. Funding we receive for General Operations is not used to fund our coverage of local news in the community. That is only made possible through a Community Service Grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Jamestown City Council

Dolce said when the term started January 1, 2020 with the first new mayor and administration in 20 years, no one realized that the COVID Pandemic would overshadow everything, “The COVID virus also touched all of our city departments as well as us personally on this council. Through it all, we continued to work on city business the best we could and stay as open and transparent as possible by livestreaming all of our meetings and changing up our meeting spaces when given the opportunity to come to this building to meet in person. This council also had to endure the tragic loss of one of our longtime members this past year with the sudden passing of Councilwoman Vickye James.”

Dolce said highlights of the last two years include the Public Safety Committee’s work on police reform and the Finance Committee’s work on two challenging budgets.

He also publicly acknowledged the council members not returning in 2022, “Councilman Grant Olson, who is not here this evening, has served on our Public Works committee as well as a member of the BPU Board. Councilwoman Tamu Graham-Reinhardt, who has served on our Public Safety committee, and has been an integral part of our Police Reform committee as well as a strong advocate for minority owned and women owned businesses. Councilman Tom Nelson, who has served as Chair of the Public Works committee and is also chair of Council’s ad hoc Deer Management committee and also a member of the Planning Commission.”

Council member at large Tamu Graham-Reinhardt did not run for another term, while Ward 6 Council member Tom Nelson was defeated in his run for re-election by Republican Andrew Faulkner. Nelson said it was an honor to serve for the last 6 years and he was disappointed to not be returning for another term, “Being on the Council has been a great experience. It’s made me more appreciative of what local governments do. I don’t think the average citizen understands the hard work and dedication of all of our men and women who work in our police and fire, parks, public works departments, department of development. It’s made me appreciate the hard work of the people who lead those departments.”

Graham-Reinhardt thanked Council member Kim Ecklund for her guidance after she was first appointed in 2017, “All politics are local and everyone up here is here to do the best that they can for the residents and the taxpayers and the people who live in this town. And I think we’ve done the best of our ability. We have not agreed and the public has not agreed with us, and that’s understandable, but we’ve had to make decisions that felt in the long run were going to benefit the residents of Jamestown.”

Ward 5 Council member Grant Olson announced in September he would not seek another term, but still won that race as it was too late to remove his name from the election ballot. No announcement has been made at this time on who Mayor Eddie Sundquist will appoint to replace him on Council.

The reorganizational meeting for Jamestown City Council will be held at 7pm, Monday, January 3 in Council Chambers.

County Legislature Honors Outgoing Legislator Chuck Nazzaro

The Chautauqua County Legislature has approved a local law increasing salaries for the Undersheriff, Captain, Warden and Corrections Lieutenant.

Legislator Terry Niebel said when the local law was introduced he asked the County Sheriff and Human Resources to research salary information in other counties for comparison, “They ended up looking at 32 other counties. The salary range before us now puts us somewhere in the middle of those 32 counties. We are looking at an increase of two or three ranges for each position. But given today’s situation with law enforcement, I believe these increases are warranted.”

The local law passed unanimously.

A resolution to increase landfill and transfer station fees also passed by a vote of 16 to 2. Legislators Bill Ward and John Penhollow were the two votes against. The new fees go into effect January 1st.

Legislators approved by block vote a host of resolutions that included several resolutions that adjusted American Rescue Plan funding toward emergency services department projects. Legislator Chuck Nazzaro said while the resolutions were being handled quickly by the full legislature, that they were discussed thoroughly in committee, “As you know, we received $24.6 million in ARPA funding, the American Rescue Plan. And to date, now with what we have before us tonight we will have approved just under $10.2 million in projects. So each year we receive $12.3 million for 2021 and $12.3 million for 2022 and we’ve spent or awarded $10.2 million today.”

Legislature Chairman Pierre Chagnon presented outgoing Legislators Christine Starks, Chuck Nazzaro, Bob Whitney, and Bill Ward with commendations for their time and service on the Legislature.
Memorials also were read for former County Legislators who died this past year including Ron Szot, Vickye James, Mac Crowe, Bob Duff, and Tom Harte.

The next County Legislature meeting will be its organizational meeting at 4pm, Monday, January 3, 2022.

In County races, incumbent Republican County Executive Paul “PJ” Wendel is facing Democratic challenger Norm Green. Wendel is running for full 4-year term after being appointed to replace George Borrello in January 2020 when Borrello was elected to the State Senate. Green formerly worked in the Chautauqua County Board of Elections as its Democratic Commissioner for over 20 years.

The County Clerk race will feature incumbent Republican Larry Barmore against Fredonia Democrat David Salley.

All 19 County Legislature seats are on the ballot. In Jamestown, the contested races are in District 11 between incumbent Democrat Bob Whitney and Republican Dave Wilfong; and in District 12 between incumbent Republican Elisabeth Rankin and Democrat Heather Fagan.

In the City of Jamestown, all City Council seats are on the ballot.

In Ward 3, incumbent Democrat Regina Brackman faces Republican Robert Reedy. Brackman was appointed in April to fill the seat after the untimely death of Vickye James. In Ward 4, incumbent Democrat Marie Carrubba is running against Republican Rick Elardo.

In Ward 5, Republican Grant Olson is facing Democrat Doug Lawson, however Olson announced in mid-September that he was no longer seeking re-election. As it was too late to remove his name from the ballot, should Olson win and decline to accept his seat again, Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist would be charged with appointing a Republican from Ward 5 to replace him in January.

And in Ward 6, incumbent Democrat Tom Nelson is going up against Republican Andrew Faulkner.
There are six candidates running for 3 At-Large seats. Incumbent Republicans Kim Ecklund and Jeff Russell are running for re-election as well as Republican Randy Daversa. Running on the Democrat line are Christina Cardinale, Ellen Ditonto, and Alyssa Porter. Democrat Tamu Graham-Reinhardt is not seeking re-election for her At-Large seat.

There are two seats open for the 8th Judicial State Supreme Court Justices. Running on all four lines of Democrat, Republican, Conservative and Working Families are Grace Hanlon and John Licata. Frank Caruso and Raymond Walter are running on the Democrat, Republican, and Conservative lines.

There are also 5 propositions located on the back of the ballot.

Proposal 1 deals with redistricting and, if passed, includes capping the number of State Senate seats at 63, require that incarcerated persons be counted at the place of their last residence for redistricting, and require the state to count residents, including people who are residents but not citizens, should the federal census fail to do so.

Proposal 3 removes the requirement that persons must register to vote at least ten days before an election. This would allow people to register to vote the same day as elections.

Proposal 4 would allow no-excuse absentee voting. Currently, in order to qualify for an absentee ballot, a voter must be absent from their county of residence, ill, or physically disabled.

Proposal 2 would add a right to clean water, clean air, and a healthful environment to the New York Constitution’s Bill of Rights.

And proposal 5 would allow the New York City Civil Court to hear and decide lawsuits involving claims of $50,000, rather than the current threshold of $25,000.

Polls are open Tuesday from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. in Chautauqua County.

For all of WRFA’s Election coverage, visit wrfalp.com/election-2021

For voting information, including sample ballots and voting locations, visit VoteChautauqua.com

We’ll have Election Night coverage starting at 8pm tonight on 107.9 WRFA-LP.

Most federal workers will observe the holiday today. Several states and the District of Columbia announced that government offices would be closed today. New York State had declared Juneteenth a holiday for the first time in 2020.

Juneteenth is the 12th federal holiday, including Inauguration Day once every four years. It’s also the first federal holiday since the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday was added in 1983.

Locally, Juneteenth will be celebrated this weekend in Jackson-Taylor Park. The opening ceremony at 11am will feature a tree planting in honor of City Councilmember and Juneteenth organizer Vickye James, who died in March. Saturday will include sport activities, carnival games, and vendors at the park.

On Sunday at 9 a.m., a morning worship service will be led by Guest Speaker Minister Amaysha Ray Smith. Activities will continue through Sunday with Gospel Fest performing artist Carol Louise Pennamon Faison at 3pm and concluding with the presentation of the Vickye James scholarship to a graduating senior pursuing a college education. All events are free.

Stone said the pollinator gardens also will have a stump jump area the uses repurposed wood from the West Third Street Oak trees that had to be cut down in December.

He said people interested in helping out with the community build should come to the large pavilion at Jackson-Taylor Park at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, “We’ve got a couple hundred cubic yards of wood chips that we’ll be spreading in the playground and then into the planting area once the plants are in the ground.”

A memorial honoring former City Council member Vickye James will be placed in the nature play area. James, who led the community group to build a new playground at Jackson-Taylor Park, died in March.
Stone said the build had been planned for an earlier date until the pandemic interrupted those plans.
The Chadakoin Adventure Trail is being funded through the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and KaBoom‘s “Built To Play” initiative.

Another park project that got put on hold by the pandemic is being readied for construction. Stone said the playground installation for Lillian Dickson Park will take place in July, “The week of July 12th we’ll be doing our initial dig and start removing some of the old material out of there. And then that Saturday, July 17th we’ll be holding the Community Build day to actually put the playground together.”

Stone said the playground is for children ages 5 to 12. He added a new swing set will be installed at the park as well.

Sundquist said there is no replacing Vickye James and her legacy,

“But I am confident Regina Brackman, who has such a wonderful history, someone who has been a friend of Vickye James since they were teenagers, will continue to represent Ward 3 and will pick up that torch and fight for our residents here in the city.”

Brackman works for Truck-Lite, has served on the City’s Planning Commission since 2014, and is active with Blackwell Chapel AME Zion Church.

City Council will hold a special vote before its work session on Monday, April 19th to confirm Brackman’s appointment.

She will also be on the ballot for the Ward 3 seat for November’s general election. Brackman previously ran for the open Ward 3 seat in 2013 and was narrowly defeated by Republican Tamara Dickey.

Regina Brackman (left) and the late Vickye James

Jamestown Democrats appear to have found a replacement candidate for the late City Council woman Vickye James.

The Chautauqua County Board of elections has updated its 2021 candidates list with the inclusion of Regina Brackman as Ward 3 city council candidate for the Democratic Party.

Brackman will replace James’s name on the ballot. Prior to her untimely death on March 27, James had intended to run for releection for a fourth term on the council.

Mayor Eddie Sundquist is required to appoint a replacment for James to fill out the remainder of the current term and he told WRFA earlier this week that ideally, he wanted his appointment to be the same person who would replace James on the ballot. But as of this morning, there hasn’t been an announcement from the mayor’s office that she will indeed be his choice.

Back in the 2013 election, Brackman ran for the open Ward 3 city council seat, but lost in a very close race to Republican Tamara Dickey.

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.