Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi during the Jan. 25, 2016 City Council Meeting. (Image courtesy of JamestownNY.net)
JAMESTOWN – Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi delivered his 2016 State of the City report on Monday night, but unlike previous years, the mayor opted not to read aloud the report.
Despite being present for the meeting, Teresi had the city Clerk Jim Olson read a message to the city council, stating that in accordance with the city charter the mayor is delivering his report to the council and copies of the report can also be found online, at city hall and at the Prendergast Library. It was the first time since Teresi took office in 2000 that he chose not to verbally deliver the report.
Following the meeting, Teresi explained that he was not required to do verbally deliver the report, adding that the practice of reading an annual report from the top executive is something that only came into existence in the early 20th century, when president Woodrow Wilson delivered the address to congress. He also said that he’s more focused in getting the work of the city done rather than talking about it.
“We’re down to business. We’re working hard. We’ve got a lot of things consuming our thoughts and attention that will require our full review,” Teresi said. “Maybe the pomp and circumstance can take a backseat for a while. We’ve got to get down to business and start taking care of some things.”
Highlights of the report include:
- Supporting the efforts of the county to extend municipal wastewater collection and treatment services around Chautauqua Lake;
- Initiating a downtown parking study;
- Initiating a parking fine amnesty program that could help to recoup as much as $418,000 in unpaid fines;
- Providing a voluntary health insurance opt-out offer for any retired city employees;
- Finalizing a public safety consolidation plan with the county sheriff’s office;
- Continuing the fight against illegal drug trafficking in the city while also seeking more resources to help those with addiction.
- READ THE 2016 STATE OF THE CITY
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