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WJTN News Headlines for Thurs., Sept. 29, 2022

Wendel presents tentative county budget that includes tax levy increase, tax rate decrease...
The tax rate is again being reduced in Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel's proposed, 2023 budget plan offered at last night's county legislature meeting.  Wendel says he's proposing a 30-cent per $1,000 reduction to $7.80... the third-straight year he's proposed a tax rate reduction.  However... he's also proposing a 4.1% increase in the tax levy... or the amount to be raised by taxes.  That's a $2.76-million increase.  He says the amount of taxable property is up... and, there's a "strong real estate market."  Wendel adds they're also optimistic about revenues for 2023.  Wendel says the county will use $4.5-million of the $29-million it currently has in undesignated fund balance... $3.6-million of which is for some needed capital projects... including new snow plow trucks, and a new multi-use sports facility at Jamestown Community College.  Wendel says the fund balance is currently 11.6% of revenues... so using $4.5-million of that will keep it about "mid-range" of where it should be.  The county legislature will begin reviewing the $277.6-million spending plan next week in committee.  The budget is due by Dec. 1.


No opposition voiced about application for $1.5-million in Restore-NY funding for White Inn project...
There was no opposition voiced during a public hearing last night to the county's efforts to obtain a $1.5-million Restore-New York grant to help reopen the historic White Inn in Fredonia.  The county legislature was required to hold the hearing before the application could be sent out.  Former White Inn Owner... Robert Contiguglia... didn't oppose the project.  However... he says there should be more help for struggling, existing businesses.  Contaguglia says that would create "a lot more winners" in the local economy.  Fredonia Republican Robert Scudder says he doesn't disagree with Contguglia, but, still supported the application for a number of reasons.  The big one is getting the historic property back in use... and, another is that two local men will be the owners.  He praised Steve St. George and Deven Jones for taking on the $3.8-million project.  Those sentiments were also expressed by Fredonia-area Democrat Susan Parker.  The White Inn was closed in 2018.


Catt. County man indicted in Erie County on child sex abuse...
A Cattaraugus County man has been indicted for child sexual abuse by an Erie County grand jury.  Erie County District Attorney John Flynn has announced that 34-year-old Allen Larkin, Jr., also known as Allen Wheeler, of Steamburg, was arraigned on Tuesday afternoon before State Supreme Court Judge Deborah Haendiges on an indictment charging him with one count of 1st degree sexual abuse, a class D felony. Larkin is accused of subjecting the victim, who was less than 13-years-old, to sexual contact. The alleged crime occurred in March of 2021 at a residence in the town of Brant. Larkin, who is being held without bail, faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison if convicted.


Victim in fatal, Fredonia-area crash from last Friday now identified... 
A woman from Fredonia has now been identified as the person killed in a one-car crash on Route 60 in the town of Pomfret last Friday morning.  State Police in Fredonia say they were called to the scene just before 12 Noon... and, found that the northbound vehicle went off the road... and, struck a tree.  Troopers says the driver, 64 year-old David Korzeniewski (Core-zuh-nefski) of Fredonia, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.  His passenger, 38 year-old Katie Korzeniewski, was flown to UPMC Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania... where she later died from her injuries.  The state Police Collision Reconstruction Unit and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation assisted in this investigation... which is continuing.


Langworthy in Chautauqua County Tuesday to talk issue in election...
The Republican candidate running for the new 23rd District Congressional seat says inflation has been the top issue on the campaign trail.  After winning last month's GOP primary over Carl Paladino... Nick Langworthy is running against Democrat Max Della Pia in the November election.  The South Dayton native tells us that inflation is out of control, and it's impacting families across the Southern Tier... and, started with high gas prices earlier in the year.  Langworthy also criticized the Biden Administration for what he calls "reckless spending..." which he says must stop.  He says our children and grandchildren are going to be saddled with the enormous amout of debt rung up the past three years.  Langworthy, who is also continuing as chairman the New York State Republican Party, is also calling for the "unleashing" of American energy.  He made a campaign stop in Fredonia on Tuesday.


Cuomo launches podcast, PAC, and gun safety organization...
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is taking his biggest steps yet to return to the public eye, more than a year after resigning in the wake of a bevy of sexual harassment allegations.  The Democrat says he's forming a political action committee, a gun safety organization... and, he plans to host a weekly podcast.  In a video released Wednesday... Cuomo said the time he has spent away from politics has given him a new perspective.  He decried the inability of Congress to pass meaningful legislation... and said his PAC will seek to elect people ``who will fight for change and get results.''