JAMESTOWN SCHOOL OFFICIALS PRESENT BUDGET WITH NO TAX INCREASE
JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Public Schools district is proposing the elimination of as many as 29 positions to prevent any tax increases for next school year. That’s according to today’s Jamestown Post-Journal, which says the school board went over the administration’s proposed budget during last night’s board meeting. Rather than increase property taxes a projected 8.68 percent, Superintendent Deke Kathman said the district would use over $2.7 million from the district’s fund balance and also look into eliminating 29 positions.
Kathman also presented the board with other potential budget cuts, including reducing maintenance in school fitness centers as well as consolidating the three middle school modified softball teams into one district softball team.
The budget’s first draft has expenditures of $77.7 million – an increase of $3.28 million from last year. After increases in state aid and the end of short-term federal aid, the district found itself with a projected gap of $1.27 million.
The next Board of Education regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 27. A work session will be held Tuesday, March 13.
DICKSON PARK IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS CONTINUE
JAMESTOWN – The Chautauqua County Health Network‘s Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work, and Play initiative held another community meeting last night at the East Side YMCA in Jamestown to discuss ways to improve Lillian Dickson Park on Falconer Street and also make it safer for children. About 10 residents attended the meeting, along with several community leaders – including Creating Healthy Places Project Coordinator Janet Forbes, City Council President Greg Rabb, and Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings.
During the first part of the meeting, several residents outlined the specific safety concerns they had with the park and the surrounding neighborhood. Most of those concerns involved crime in the area, including gang activity, drug use, and vandalism. Traffic was also listed as a concern.
The second half of the meeting involved the attendees splitting into two groups to discuss ways to get the community involved with improving the park, as well as establishing a neighborhood watch group in the area to curb crime and other concerns. Ways to secure funding to help improve equipment at the park was also discussed.
For more information on the Lillian Dickson Park improvement project, call Janet Forbes at the Chautauqua County Health Network at 338-0010 or email forbes@cchn.net.
NEW TIM HORTONS PROPOSED FOR CITY’S NORTH SIDE
JAMESTOWN – A new Tim Horton’s could soon appear on the North Side of Jamestown near the city line.
At Tuesday’s Jamestown Planning Commission meeting, A Tim Hortons representative submitted a rough draft of the proposed location at the corner of Main Street and Oak Hill Road, near the Jamestown exit of I-86.
The proposed business would have entrances and exits on both West Oak Hill and Main Street. It would have 17 parking spots and a drive-thru which could accommodate nine cars at a time. The restaurant would have three interior tables with three seats each, as well as several outdoor tables. Further discussion between the commission and Tim Hortons will occur before any resolutions will be submitted to City Council for approval.
EDWARDS TO PRESENT STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS TONIGHT
MAYVILLE – Executive Greg Edwards will make his annual State of the County address tonight in Mayville.
The County Executive will make his address to the legislature in the Chautauqua County Legislative Chambers at 6:30. In his weekly Monday Morning Memo, Edwards says his 2012 State of the County Address will highlight the successful initiatives that have been implemented the past year, the continued pressure for reform and relief in Albany, and a look into the impact of the legislature’s budget decisions of this year on the upcoming 2013 finances.
The County legislature will also hold its monthly voting session. Among the items to be acted on is a resolution calling for the creation of an Independent Redistricting Commission to redraw the county legislature district lines so that they are in compliance with the 2010 Census.
CONGRESSMAN HIGGINS TO MAKE THREE APPEARANCES IN JAMESTOWN
BUFFALO – Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) will be in Chautauqua County today for a number of public events. Shortly after noon, Congressman Higgins will address the students at Clymer Central School, speaking about his work and experiences in Congress, and taking questions from the group. At 3:30 p.m., Higgins will speak with and hear from local residents at a Congress on Your Corner stop in Mina at the Findley Lake Community Center. At at 7 p.m., the congressman will make an appearance at SUNY Fredonia to give a talk on the improvement of local economics. The talk will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. in 105 Fenton Hall. It is open to students, faculties, staff and community at no cost for admission.
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