JAMESTOWN CITY COUNCIL APPROVES BUDGET WITH 2.33 PERCENT TAX HIKE
JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown City Council has approved an amended $33-million budget for 2012, but it didn’t come until after some contentious debate among council members. City lawmakers last night approved an 11th hour budget proposal that was brought forward by Ward-2 Councilman Vince DeJoy (D), which called for a tax rate increase of 2.33 percent, or $.49 per thousand assessed value.
DeJoy’s plan – which reduced spending from the mayor’s proposed budget by $100,000 – differed from the one that was put forward last week by councilman Tony Dolce (R). DeJoy was against Dolce’s plan to use $50,000 extra from the city’s contingency fund balance and instead offered a plan that provided additional spending cuts. While presenting his budget in work session, DeJoy said he would be against seeing significant changes to his plan, which didn’t sit well with Dolce, who felt there should be some room for compromise between the two options.
Following a testy exchange between DeJoy and Dolce, Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi provided an explanation as to why he felt DeJoy’s plan was the better of the two, explaining the need for preserving as much of the fund balance as possible. Teresi also said that his staff had reservations with DeJoy’s plan, but felt it’s better to cut spending first and then restore it only if necessary.
After some discussion, the council was able to slightly amend DeJoy’s plan by restoring a $1,000 cut to the city playground supervisor budget and instead taking that money out of the general capitol budget.
After it was finalized in the work session, the spending plan was put up for a vote during the regular voting session. Councilman Mike Taylor (D) attempted to amend the plan on the floor of the legislature, but it was voted down by a vote of five to four. DeJoy’s plan was then voted on and approved six to three. Councilmembers Dolce and Kim Ecklund (R), along with Steve Szwejbka (I), voted against it.
ELECTION COMMISSIONER GREEN FACES TWO MISDEMEANOR CHARGES
MAYVILLE – The democratic election commissioner for Chautauqua County has been charged with two election law misdemeanors. Commissioner Norman Green was arraigned Monday in Chautauqua County Court. The attempt to indict on felony charges failed to pass grand jury.
The election law charge against Green stems from last year’s state Assembly race between Nancy Bargar and Andy Goodell. Following the race, Green was accused by Goodell of use a stall tactic that prevented Goodell from getting the Independence Party line on the ballot.
Green was released Monday on his own recognizance. Chautauqua County will retain jurisdiction over the case with Cattaraugus County Court Judge Michael Nenno presiding. A date for the next court proceeding in the case has not yet been set.
JAMESTOWN CONCERT ASSOCIATION TO PRESENT SYMPHONY SYRACUSE
JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Concert Association is pleased to once again present Symphony Syracuse at the Reg Lenna Civic Center on Wednesday, November 30 at 8:00 PM.
Conductor Ron Spigelman will conduct the 79 member Orchestra which will feature seasonal classics, traditional carols, music from the Nutcracker and other popular favorites.
Tickets are on sale at the Reg Lenna Box Office, Chautauqua Music, Germaine & Pappalardo and Trinity Guitars. Tickets are $25 adult, $20 senior, $7.50 college student with a $3 discount for adult and senior tickets if purchased presale. Youths 18 and under are free with a paid adult ticket holder. Call the Box Office at 484.7070 or the concert association at 487.1522 for additional information.
INFINITY PROVIDES GIFT WRAPPING STATION AT CHAUTAUQUA MALL
JAMESTOWN – Infinity Visual and Performing Arts is excited to provide a gift wrapping station for the 2011 Holiday Shopping Season at the Chautauqua Mall. The station will be open each day until Saturday, December 24th in the food court area. Donations will be accepted for all giftwrapping, with 100-percent of all donations collected being used to support programming at Infinity. For more information, Call 664-0991.
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