When the Chautauqua County Legislature meets tonight in Mayville, it will consider a local law that would give the sheriff’s Office the ability to remove abandoned vehicles throughout the county. Under the language of the pending local law, the Sheriff’s office would have the authority to take into custody any abandoned vehicles and the county would also be able to sell it and keep the proceeds.

In addition, lawmakers will act on a motion that supports a pending state law that makes it easier to contact owners of vacant structures by using banks and other lending institutions.  Both the state senate and state assembly are considering a bill that would make it mandatory for lending institutions to provide contact information of responsible parties regarding vacant structures; and require good faith in maintaining vacant or abandoned real property prior to transfer of the property in foreclosure.

Other items to be acted on tonight is the distribution of the 2012 occupancy tax – or “bed tax” – proceeds. Under the pending resolution,  Several local organizations and events would see funding from the county. The include:

• Lucille Ball Comedy Festival (Aug. 7 to 11): $10,000.00
• Jazz at Chautauqua (Sept. 15 to 19): $4,500
• Festivals Fredonia (event series): $ 6,400.00
• Jamestown Regional Celtic Festival (Aug. 23 to 24): $10,000.00
• Scandinavian Folk Festival (July 19 to 21): $ 3,000.00
• Village of Celoron Waterfront Revitalization Plan: $10,000.00
• Portland Bicentennial Celebration (April to July): $ 2,000.00

Tonight’s legislature meetings begins at 6:30 p.m. on the third floor of the Gerace Office building Mayville and is open to the public.

WASHINGTON – Declaring the American dream under siege, President Barack Obama delivered a populist challenge Tuesday night during his State of the Union address. The President said it was imperative to shrink the gap between rich and poor, while promising to tax the wealthy more and help jobless Americans get work and hang onto their homes.

Seeking re-election and needing results, the president invited Republicans to join him but warned, “I intend to fight.” Obama said ensuring a fair shot for all Americans is “the defining issue of our time.” He said the economy is finally recovering from a deep and painful recession and he will fight any effort to return to policies that brought it low.

Obama outlined a vastly different vision for fixing the country than the one pressed by the Republicans confronting him in Congress and fighting to take his job in the November election. He pleaded for an active government that ensures economic fairness for everyone, just as his opponents demand that the government back off and let the free market rule.

The president also offered steps to help students afford college, a plan for more struggling homeowners to refinance their homes and tax cuts for manufacturers.

On Iran, President Obama said that while all options are on the table to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon — an implied threat to use military force — “a peaceful resolution of this issue is still possible.”

With Congress almost universally held in low regard, Obama went after an easy target in calling for reforms to keep legislators from engaging in insider trading and holding them to the same conflict-of-interest standards as those that apply to the executive branch.

COUNTY LEGISLATURE MEETS TONIGHT IN MAYVILLE

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Legislature will hold it’s first regular meeting of the new year, with eight new members sitting in on tonight’s session.

Highlighting tonight’s agenda is a resolution for the county to enter into a contract for an unbiased study of the County Home. The resolution – proposed by north county republican George Borrello – is to contract with the Center for Governmental Research to provide an analysis of the facility and its operations.

Both County Home supporters and CSEA union officials have said the Center for Governmental Research was one of a few agencies they would like to see involved in the county home discussion. Last month, th county officials approved a measure to hire the marketing firm Marcus & Millichap, to market the public owned county home to private investors. In response, CSEA officials said the county should have an unbiased assessment completed prior to moving forward with any sale of the home.

If approved tonight by the legislture, the contract with the Center for Governmental Research is not to exceed $80,000.

Also, the county will consider an agreement with the Town of Ripley to Increase policing by the Sheriff’s Department at a total cost not to exceed $30,000 – at a rate of $35 an hour.

Tonight’s voting session begins at 6:30 in the legislature chambers in Mayville.

CELORON TO HOST PUBLIC MEETING

The village of Celoron will hold a public meeting tonight for its Waterfront Revitalization Plan. The meeting has been scheduled for 7:00 p.m. this evening in the Community Center at 47 Dunham Avenue in Celoron.

The Waterfront Revitalization Plan is an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to help shape the future of the community. The plan provides a revitalization strategy for the future of the Village commercial district, Lucille Ball Memorial Park and the former Celoron Amusement Park site.

Tonight’s meeting is the third public meeting in the planning process and will include a presentation and an interactive input session. The presentation will review the draft plan to implement the community vision.

The meeting is free and open to the public and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information call Shirley Sanfilippo at 716- 487-4175.

NAMES RELEASED OF VICTIMS IN BUSTI AUTO ACCIDENT

BUSTI – The Five people involved in an accident earlier this week in the town of Busti continue to recover from their injuries. The accident took place Monday afternoon at the intersection of Big Tree and Lawson roads.

According to police, shortly before 3:30 p.m.  Ryan Casey of Irving, Pa. was driving a silver Jeep Patriot north on Big Tree Road when another vehicle driven by Richard Pierce Jr. of Garland, Pa. – which was heading east on Lawson Road – failed to stop at the stop sign and hit the Jeep. Pierce had to be cut out of his vehicle by Busti and Lakewood fire departments.

All five were sent to WCA hospital for treatment of injuries, non of which were life-threatening. Pierce was charged with failure to stop at a stop sign and will be in Busti Town Court later.

NY Governor Andrew Cuomo released his 2012-13 Budget on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

ALBANY – Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled his 2012-2013 Budget yesterday afternoon, calling for no increases in spending from the current year.  The $132.5 billion spending plan, which needs to be approved by the Legislature, is likely to set off a tough fight with unions representing state employees and teachers.

The plan includes the creation of a new and less-generous pension tier for new public employees that’s anticipated to save state and local governments $83 billion over the next 30 years. The retirement age would be raised from 62 to 65; employees would be required to make increased contributions, going from the current 3 percent to 4, 5 or 6 percent depending on an individual’s salary level; the pension multiplier that determines an employee’s final payout would drop; and overtime would be excluded from the formula that determines final salary.

Cuomo likened the current pension system to a person with high cholesterol, saying the state is allowing cholesterol to build up and warned that it would become a terminal problem if lawmakers failed to rein in costs immediately.

The state’s largest public employee unions reacted negatively. Civil Service Employees Association President Danny Donohue called it “an assault on the middle class and a cheap shot at public employees,” while Public Employees Federation President Ken Brynien said it was “similar to the misguided proposals for reforming Social Security proposed by former President George W. Bush.”

Democratic lawmakers in the Assembly, seen as labor’s most powerful ally in the Legislature, were noncommittal.

Governor Cuomo also continued his push on education reform, which would have much more immediate consequences for school districts: He announced that districts that fail to implement a new teacher evaluation system won’t receive any of the 4 percent increase in funding that will be distributed in the coming fiscal year. Districts that take that action by Sept. 1 will earn “bonus points” for competitive grants; the final deadline is Jan. 17, 2013.

The Governor also elaborated on economic development plans to use $1.3 billion in state funds to fertilize as much as $25 billion in private-sector investment, federal outlay and spending by authorities.

(source: Times Union)

SENATOR YOUNG ENCOURAGED BY CUOMO’S PROPOSED SPENDING PLAN

ALBANY – Legislative leaders generally praised Cuomo’s presentation, while hoping for more details on many of the particulars. Locally, Senator Cathy Young said Governor Cuomo’s proposed budget is a good starting point, and she looks forward to building on his priorities.

The Olean Republican added that, as always, the devil is in the details, and now the state Legislature will begin the full review and negotiation process. She said until lawmakers can look at the numbers and read the budget language, it is difficult to assess the full impact, but added it was heartening to hear the Governor’s focus on fiscal responsibility, Medicaid reform and student achievement.

WINTER FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE WITH OR WITHOUT CASTLE

MAYVILLE – Although questions linger about whether ice on Chautauqua Lake will be thick enough for an ice castle to be built this year, plans are under way for Presidents Day weekend’s Winter Festival. That’s according to a report today in the Jamestown Post-Journal, which says the lake froze this weekend but ice on it is only 1 to 2 inches thick. That means crews can’t get on it to take ice out of the lake with which they build the castle. Typically, 10 to 12 inches are needed before blocks of ice can be cut out of the lake, which are used to construct the castle.

While there is still a question about whether the castle will be part of the festivities, the event will go on either way. The castle’s lighting is planned for Friday, Feb. 17, along with opening ceremonies.

Those wanting more information or wanting to become sponsors are asked to call 753-3113.

WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION PUBLIC MEETING SET FOR JAN. 25 IN CELORON

CELORON – The Village of Celoron is sponsoring a public meeting for its Waterfront Revitalization Plan. The meeting has been scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at the Community Center – 47 Dunham Avenue, Celoron.

According to village officials, the Waterfront Revitalization Plan is an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to help shape the future of the community. The plan provides a revitalization strategy for the future of the Village commercial district, Lucille Ball Memorial Park and the former Celoron Amusement Park site.

On January 25th the Village wants residents and stakeholders to provide their input on the draft Waterfront Revitalization Plan.

The meeting is free and open to the public and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information call Shirley Sanfilippo at (716) 487-4175.

JAMESTOWN – A Jamestown man is behind bars after being arrested late last night on domestic violence charges. Jamestown Police were called to the WCA Hospital Emergency room for a report of an assault victim. After an investigation, police learned that 31 year-old Jose Figueroa of 10-27 Newland Ave. allegedly assaulted his girlfriend, who received several stitches in her harm after being cut by a utility knife during the incident. Figueroa was arrested on charges of assault, menacing, unlawful imprisonment and coercion. He is currently in the city jail awaiting arraignment.

LAKEWOOD-BUSTI POLICE INVESTIGATE AUTO LARCENIES

LAKEWOOD – Police in Lakewood are looking for suspects in a rash of car larcenies that took place over the weekend. According to an article in today’s Jamestown Post-Journal, several larcenies occurred in the shopping district on Fairmount Ave. between Davidson’s Restaurant and the Wendy’s Restaurant.

The incidents involved windows being smashed out of parked vehicle and purses being stolen.  Police obtained video surveillance and describe a possible Ford Windstar minivan, either tan or light gray, involved in the incident at Davidson’s. At around 8:20 p.m., three individuals had exited the vehicle at Davidson’s and stole a purse out of another vehicle. That incident occurred at 8:20 p.m. Shortly before that a vehicle larceny was also reported at Wendy’s.

Police are advising the public to secure property out of sight or take the property with them when they park their vehicles. Making sure vehicles are locked and parked in well-lighted areas is also important. Anyone with information in regards to these crimes is asked to call the Lakewood-Busti Police at 763-9563.

BUSTI RESIDENTS CHARGED WITH STEALING ELECTRICITY, GROWING POT

BUSTI – Two Busit residents are in hot water for allegedly steeling electricity and illegally growing marijuana. Lakewood-Busti Police say they were called by National Grid to investigate an alleged theft-of-services investigation at 529 Busti-Sugargrove Road. Police say the power company had been in the area working on the power lines and discovered that the meter had been bypassed. National Grid then contacted the police to initiate a theft-of-services investigation. Police obtained a search warrant and discovered about 50 marijuana plants growing in the basement.

After the investigation, police arrested the residents – 29 year old John Boardman and 28-year old Jennifer Grundstrom. Boardman was charged with third-degree criminal possession of marijuana, growing cannabis and theft of services. Grundstrom was also charged with theft of services.  Both are due in Busti Town Court at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

SENECAS AGREE TO ENTER BINDING ARBITRATION WITH STATE

ALBANY — The Seneca Nation has agreed to a year-old request by the state to take a $350 -million dispute over stalled casino revenue sharing payments to a binding arbitration panel.

Seneca Nation President Robert Odawi Porter said the Seneca’s don’t take the decision lightly, but it is one he and the council must make to defend their rights under the nation’s 2002 compact with New York State. Porter claims the state has violated that compact for years, and the nation has lost its patience with the lack of progress. The Senecas began withholding slot machine proceeds from the state — which shares them with local “host” communities — in 2009 after declaring that Albany had broken the terms of its compact, which gives the tribe exclusive casino rights within a large part of Western New York. Among its claims is that slot-like devices known as video lottery terminals at area racetracks violate the terms of the exclusivity arrangement. Since then, both sides have accused each other of not negotiating in good faith.

Arbitration comes as Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders last week said they would push for a constitutional amendment to permit the spread of casinos on non-Indian owned lands. The Seneca Nation has opposed the idea. Voters statewide would have to approve such a casino expansion, which, given the constitutional amendment process, could not occur until at least November 2013.

CELORON HOSTS PUBLIC MEETING TONIGHT ON WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION

CELORON – Residents in and around Celoron are invited to attend another public meeting tonight dealing with the village’s Waterfront Revitalization Plan. The meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Center at 47 Dunham Ave. in Celoron.

The Waterfront Revitalization Plan is an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to help shape the future of the community. The plan will develop a revitalization strategy for the future of the Village commercial district, Lucille Ball Memorial Park and the former Celoron Amusement Park site. The Village wants resident and stakeholders to stop by tonight and help prioritize implementation options for waterfront revitalization.

The meeting is free and open to the public and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information call Shirley Sanfilippo at 487-4175.