We air portions of comments from introductory remarks, and the question and answer session to Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce held last Friday morning with Congressman Joe Sempolinski. During the program at Moonbrook Country Club -- just north of Jamestown -- Sempolinski discussed hitting the ground running in Congress after being sworn-in on Sept. 13 in Washington. He noted that a lot of the early work has involved reestablishing the 23 Districts satelite offices in Jamestown, Olean, Geneva, and elsewhere. Constituent services were a big part of what Sempolinski dealt with as an aide for former Congressman Tom Reed, who left office earlier this year. He says the House has voted on about two-dozen bills since he officially took office, and he managed Republican floor debate on two of them. He expressed concern on a number of fronts, including the deficit rung up the past two-years, due in part to the pandemic, as well as what he said was out of control spending. While he's pushing for more accountability, he says this pattern has been around for a few decades now, and changing that habit won't occur overnight. Sempolinski also talked about being assigned to the Education and Budget Committees during the hour-long program.

Our Terry Frank talks with Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist this week on mainly two topics: the rising number of homeless people, and the 2023 city budget proposal. The homeless issue came up during City Council President Tony Dolce's Public Safety and Neighborhood Forum last week as an issue. Sundquist says he met with more than 60 local clergy and pastors about the problem, and how to deal with it. He says these homeless wound up that way for a number of reasons, with one of the big ones the end to the eviction moratorium in New York state. Sundquist says he's trying to link the faith community with local service providers to help those people out. On the budget, Sundquist says the city is facing a number of challenges, including reductions in sales tax as the economy slows due to inflation. He says there's also the loss of 1-million dollars in state aid funding. However, Sundquist adds that the city will be saving money with 60% to 70% of it's Medicare-eligible retirees moving off the city's self-insured plan, and onto full Medicare. He's to present the 35-million dollar-plus budget on Fri., Oct. 7.

The still-new coordinator for Businesses Development at the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities joins our Terry Frank for this week's program. Ellen DiTonto, whose been in the position about five months, is coordinating the BPU's upcoming "Retool '22 - A Climate Tech Conference for Manufacturers." DiTonto says the conference will be held at the Northwest Arena from Oct. 17 through Oct. 19... and will feature several speakers, and break-out groups that discuss ways that new and existing businesses can take advantage of programs and funding that's available to shift their business towards new, and cleaner energy technology for the future. The main speakers will be Clint Wilder, Editorial Director of "Clean Edge" who is a best-selling author... and, Managing Director John Ellis with Ellis & Associates, and specializes in new and emerging transportation technology. For more information on registering for the conference and a Sept. 13 Webinar, contact DiTonto at 716-661-1686, or editonto@jamestownbpu.com.

Sorry this wasn't posted earlier! Our Terry Frank spoke this week (9/4-11) with Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel about preparing his final, 2023 budget proposal which will be presented to the public, and county legislature in late September. He says they are working the department heads to hold the line on spending to minimize any increases. Wendel won't say whether there will be a tax increase or decrease, but, that it will be a "solid, and balanced" budget. The approximately 270-million dollar spending plan is due on or about Sept. 25. We also discuss public safety, and a state-mandated threat assessment plan and team to be developed. Wendel says the county is on track for that, and will develop the plan based off of local school threat assessment plans, and other counties that already have them in place. We also discuss security at Chautauqua Institution in the wake of the Aug. 12 attack on well-known Author, Salmon Rushdie.

Our Terry Frank speaks this week with Chief Communications and Marketing Officer David Albert with the New York State School Boards Association about what should be a fairly "normal" start to the school year. That's after the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled in-person instruction for several months... and, then led to special protocols once in-person learning resumes. Albert says more than three-quarters of all 668 New York state school districts are using American Rescue Plan Act funding to deal with issues ranging from "COVID Slide..." to hiring more bus drivers. Many districts are also addressing mental health and other socio-economic issues with their ARPA funding. Nationally... the pandemic accelerated the loss of many teachers who either retired, or went into something different. However... Albert says while districts are looking to hire more teachers, the biggest shortage is in bus drivers. Some districts are offering more pay, and using job fairs to bring in potential applicants. Most schools in the region begin the 2022-23 school year next Tuesday, Sept. 6.

This week we present comments from the two Republican candidates seeking the nomination to run for the 23rd Congressional District in this Fall's election. Our Terry Frank has an exclusive interview with Chautauqua County native Nick Langworthy, who is also State GOP Chairman. Langworthy felt compelled to run because he knows the area, and that people want a "different brand of leadership." We also have excerpts from a town Hall style meeting held in the area by opponent, Buffalo-area developer Carl Paladino... who says he wants to "give back" because he's been successful. Paladino has said that one of the first things he wants to do is impeach current President Joe Biden. Both men say they are pro-2nd Amendment, pro smaller government, and want to get criminals off the streets. Early voting just wrapped up for the primary, and primary day is Tuesday, Aug. 23 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

This week, News Director Terry Frank hosts his monthly visit with Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist, and discusses the city's recent bill of "good financial health" in the annual, third-party audit of the 2021 audit. Sundquist says he's pleased with the news, because it gives the city the proper buffer for any emergencies that may come up coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discuss the return of the annual Labor Day Festival on Sunday, Sept. 4 at Bergman Park. Sundquist says this will be the city's 41st annual festival... but, the first held since the pandemic began in Mar. of 2020. We also get an in-depth update on the locating of cannibis growing and production facilities in Jamestown, and the licensing process for dispensaries.

Our Terry Frank interviews County Executive P.J. Wendel about a number of topics, including the recent increases in cases of Monkeypox reported. None have been found in Chautauqua County at this time, but, Wendel says the county's Department of Health and Human Services is monitoring the situation. He also took part in a Zoom Conference meeting with state Health Commissioner, Dr. Mary Bassett. As for COVID-19... he says case numbers remain very low, along with hospitalizations heading into August, and later in September when schools reopen. We also discuss the county's 2023 budget proposal, which Wendel has recently been meeting with his finance team, and department heads about. He says there will be no additional hiring unless the cost can be covered by incoming revenues, or grant funds. The budget will be presented on or before Sept. 25, and will likely again total about 270-million dollars. We also discuss the recent passing of retired Ellery Town Supervisor Arden Johnson, and former Jamestown car dealership owner, Howard Howlett. Howlett was among the founders of the county's Starflight Helicopter program.

Our Dennis Webster has a rare interview with Chautauqua County's two college presidents, Dr. Daniel DeMarte from Jamestown Community College, and SUNY College at Fredonia President Dr. Stephen Kolison. The focus is on two, four-year Bachelors Degree programs at Fredonia that students can complete on the JCC Campus. Those two programs are business administration, and early childhood education. Kolison says, while a significant number of Jamestown residents have a two-year degree, only 17-percent have a BA or BS. This Fall, they'll be offering the ability to complete those two programs in Jamestown... thus helping people who are unable to attend Fredonia to obtain the four-year degree, due to either family or work commitments.

Our Terry Frank speaks with National Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson about how the center has come through the COVID pandemic shut-down, and how preparations are going for the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival to be held Aug. 3-7, 2022. With less than two weeks to go, Gunderson says they're pretty well set, with one of the top female comedians - Margaret Cho - coming in for the Aug. 4 show at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts. She says tickets remain for that show, and there are also some left for the Aug. 5 second show now scheduled for Jeff Foxworthy. The Aug. 6 program with Saturday Night Live Legends David Spade, Rob Schneider and Kevin Nealon is sold out. Gunderson says, with the past two festivals cancelled due to the pandemic, they had to work to make sure everyone could still do their shows this year. For more information, go on-line to ComedyCenter.org.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist joins our Terry Frank in studio this week to discuss a number of issues... including items to be on the city council's agenda for it's lone work session of the month. Among those items is moving forward on a shared services agreement for sidewalk snowplowing with the Jamestown Public Schools. The hold-up there, according to Sundquist, is the need to see whether two laborers can be hired seasonally or if they need to be full-time with other duties during the warmer months of the year. We also discuss the street work situation with a number of festivals now underway. The Scandinavian Folk Festival was held the past weekend in downtown Jamestown for the first-time, and Sundquist helped with the kick-off for that event last Friday afternoon. We also discuss what city leaders are working on for use of Jamestown's second traunch of 14-million dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funding. He says since those determinations are being made "in-house" it will be a little while before they're brought to the City Council.

Our Terry Frank speaks this week with Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel on a variety of topics, including the start to the Summer season. Wendel says everything is open for the Summer, unlike the past two Summers when activity was shut-down or limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He says the county has received it's second traunche of American Rescue Plan Act funding from the federal government, totaling just over 12-million dollars. Wendel says their panel that's been reviewing projects will now look at what to use that funding for. We also discuss the application period now opening for local events, and programs seeking funding from the county's 3% occupancy tax. We also discuss Summer safety with activity picking up on the highways, and local waterways.

This week, Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services Director Mary Ann Spanos joins our Terry Frank to discuss a number of senior, and elderly resident issues. First, though, we talk about her recently being awarded a NYS "Woman of Distinction" designation through State Senator George Borrello. Spanos called it an honor and validation of the work she's doing for the county. We discuss programming, and where things are as the COVID-19 Pandemic winds down. Most programs are back up and running, through member agencies, but, some will not take place -- including the annual Senior Picnic at Midway Park. Dr. Spanos says that may return in the form of smaller picnics at different places in the county. She adds that a big reason is lack of staff, because they are still down five employees from the pandemic. We also discuss Elder Fraud and Abuse, which remain big issues for seniors... including a local program on Elder Fraud co-hosted with Sen. Borrello on July 15.

This week we present portions of a presentation by the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy's Twan Leenders to the Jamestown City Council about completion of the first-phase of the Chadakoin River Clean-up project from the Warner Dam to the Falconer village line. Leenders says that was successful in removing several logs and trees that had fallen into the river, with minimal impact on the shoreline areas. However... he did warn that they found three major areas of infestation by the invasive "Tree of Heaven" tree species that tends to crowd-out other trees and vegetation. He says the species also draws another invasive species of insect called "Spotted Lanternfly..." which is very destructive to fruit plants and trees -- including grapes -- which are a major crop along the Lake Erie shoreline. Leenders urged city lawmakers to use another 17,760 dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funding to properly eradicate the "Tree of Heaven" that also eliminates it's root system.

New York State Assemblyman Andy Goodell joins our Terry Frank to give his perspective on the recently concluded state legislative session. Goodell says there were some positives that came from the session... namely that some change was made to the state's Bail Reform Laws. The Jamestown-area Republican says that allows bail to be set for someone who is out of jail on an appearance ticket, and is to appear on that charge, can be jailed if there's a repeat offense. He says there were still some in the Democratic majority that did not support that change. Other more meaningful changes were not brought forth, nor acted on. Goodell is also critical of the state legislature acting on additional restrictions on guns, and allowing abortions up to the point of one-day before birth. He says the new measures are definate reactions to the recent mass shootings in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, Tex... as well as a leaked draft document from the U.S. Supreme Court on overturning Roe versus Wade. We also discuss issues surrounding environmental and climate change legislation.

Mayor Eddie Sundquist of Jamestown joins our Terry Frank this week to discuss a number of topics, including a recent presentation by he, and Jamestown School District Superintendent Kevin Whitaker about a new, shared services agreement to increase sidewalk plowing around the schools. The city council was presented with a plan to have the district provide 306,000 dollars for the purchase of two new plows, and the city would use American Rescue Plan Act funding for the approximately 680,000 dollars to hire two new city parks laborers to run them. Those two workers would work in the parks dept. otherwise. Sundquist says a big part of the agreement would have the district provide the main areas students are walking from, and the primary routes to school. Sundquist adds that the city recently received it's second traunche of ARPA funding, totaling 14-million dollars. He also discusses being in The Bronx recently for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's signing of gun control legislation in the wake of shootings in Buffalo, NY, and Evalde, Tex. He believes they're a good start, and says Jamestown has not been immune to gun violence. We also discuss the work of the city's Reapportionment Commission, which he says is keeping to keep six-wards in the city itself, but, adds there is still discussion about how many at-large councilmembers there will be. Sundquist also tells us that his City Comptroller, Ryan Thompson, is leaving for a new job in the private sector on July 8th

News Director Terry Frank interviews Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel on the fact the county and New York state's gasoline tax holiday had an immediate impact on prices. On May 31st, the average price was up to 4.79.9 cents per gallon for regular, unleaded. That fell on June 1st to 4.56-4.58 a gallon. Wendel called that a bit of a surprise because the tax holiday wasn't to begin until the next shipments of gas. However... it's been inching back up since then. We also discuss the recent, reported losses of ImmunityBio, LLC, which is moving forward in leasing out the Athenex pharmacutical plant in the town of Dunkirk. Those losses were reportedly 2.1-billion dollars. However, he remains confident the project will happen. He also offers his throughts on the recent mass shootings -- in particular the one in Evalde, Tex. that claimed the lives of 21 people -- 19 of them students at an elementary school. Wendel, who was a teacher and coach prior to being elected, said to blame teachers for not doing more to prevent what happened is just wrong.

This week, we air excerpts from an interview by our Dennis Webster and Russ Diethrick on WJTN-AM and FM with Board of Public Utilities Communications Coordinator Becky Robbins, and St. Susan's Center Executive Director, Cheri Rowland. They discuss the beginning of the annual "Cents for St. Susan's" fund drive to raise money for the Jamestown-area's largest soup kitchen. Robbins points out that the campaign is into it's 23rd year... and, is fully back this year after being somewhat scaled-back the past two years due to the COVID pandemic. There's no goal to the effort, but, she adds they raised about 27,000 dollars last year... and, they're about 20,000 dollars short of 300,000 dollars this year. Rowland is the still-new director of St. Susan's, and talked about the transition, and the fact the need is as great now for their services that ever before the pandemic. They have 87 coin canisters out in the community for people to put loose change into. They also have a number of sponsors who have chipped in various amounts... with many contributing at least 500-dollars to the effort. A hot dog sale will be held in the BPU parking lot on June 3. For more information... contact St. Susan's or the BPU. (An editor's apologies this week... a "double" audio clip was put into the radio airing of the program that lasted about 3-minutes of the program. Sorry about that!)

This week, our Terry Frank highlights Mental Health Awareness Month by interviewing Chautauqua County's still-new director of Community Mental Health Services, Carmello Hernandez. Hernandez began his position on Sept. 7 of 2021, and he fills the vacancy left by former director Patricia Brinkman, who retired in April 2021. Prior to coming to Chautauqua County, the Bronx, NY native was a lead therapist at Alssaro Counseling Services in New Rochelle, and a mental health consultant at WestCOP in Westchester, N.Y. Prior to that he served as a program manager for Wediko Children’s Services and a combat stress recovery specialist for the Wounded Warrior Project. Hernandez says, since coming to the county department, they've worked with an trained more than 200 people in the field to better recognize depression and anxiety disorders, in particular. He says it's also good to know the triggers for those two disorders before they get to a level of "10." He also agrees that it's important to not treat mental illness and substance abuse separately, because you will often times find people "self-medicating" to deal with their mental health issues.

Mayor Eddie Sundquist of Jamestown joins our Terry Frank to discuss a number of issues, including a recent joint announcement with city council members and the police and fire chiefs to boost public safety in the city. That includes three new police officers, and once that's done, to create a "gun violence unit" to deal with an increase in that safety problem. There would also be four new city firefighters added to man a second ambulance in the city due to the huge increase the past two years in EMS calls. Sundquist says the numbers are up about 1,000-percent from 10 years ago. Many of the calls the past couple of years were due to COVID-19 transports. There have also been many more drug overdoses, as well. We also discuss concerns Sundquist, and Board of Public Utilities General Manager Dave Leathers expressed during a recent hearing on New York State's Climate Leadership Action Plan... and, we discuss plans to start the city's new Parking App that will allow motorists to pay the parking meter fees via their cellphone.

Our Terry Frank speaks with Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel on a number of topics, including his trip to Albany for a meeting last week with the New York State Municipal Insurance Reciprocal. Wendel is the county executive appointee to the panel. He says their work has benefited the county in a number of ways... including ethics and cyber security training that saves the county up to 50,000 a year. We also discuss the recent spikes in local gasoline prices, and how that may impact the county with the legislature approving a 3-dollar a gallon cap on the gas tax. Wendel says that's his biggest concern heading into June 1, when both the state and local tax suspension begins. Both will last through the end of the year. He says sales tax revenues may help offset some of those losses. Wendel adds that pipes are beginning to be put into the ground along Route 394 in North Harmony to provide "closed sewer" services along the western side of Chautauqua Lake.

This week, our Terry Frank welcomes Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Heitzenrater for the first time to the program. Heitzenrater replaced the retired Todd Tranum in mid-2021 after serving as Executive Assistant to County Executive P.J. Wendel, and previously George Borrello. Heitzenrater says the COVID-19 pandemic has made business difficult and complicated. He says many businesses did okay and are coming out alright... but, he says others have struggled. Heitzenrater says they also work with businesses to enhance their on-line presence. We also discuss National Small Business Week, which will kick-off locally Monday with an event at the Ashville General Store on Rt. 474 in Ashville. He says they were planning on local elected officials to be on hand to provide proclamations, and hand out awards -- one went to the Ashville General Store, and the other to The Hot Spot Cafe in Jamestown. Chautauqua County Deputy Executive for Economic Development, and Industrial Development Agency CEO Mark Geise was also recognized by the Small Business Development Center at Jamestown Community College. The chamber also kicked off it's Spring Membership Drive during the program.

We feature segments of this past week's public meeting on the feasibility of establishing a Municipal Broadband Program in the city of Jamestown. City officials hosted the meeting with consultant Jeff Christensen of Entry Point Networks from Salt Lake City, Utah. Mayor Eddie Sundquist says providing lower cost, but, reliable and faster Internet access was a goal of his when he was first elected in 2019. However, Sundquist says the issue came to the fore during the COVID-19 pandemic when students were having to learn remotely, and many people worked remotely. Christensen says his company is currently working with 35 communities to put municipal broadband in place. He modeled a program that would allow "open access" at a price starting at 54 a month. He and Sundquist fielded several questions about the costs, and what would happen if the fiber optic network was too costly to put in place, or became to expensive to run. Sundquist is now in the process of establishing a City Broadband Commission to futher investigate the matter. To apply or express interest, he says go on-line to Jamestownfiber.com.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist joins News Director Terry Frank this week to discuss a number of topics, including recent passage of the new, New York state budget for 2022-23. Sundquist says the 221-billion includes no increase in general municipal aid, now called "Aid and Incentives to Municipalities" or AIM payments. However... he says the city is seeing a "significant increase" in road and other highway aid... including Consolidated Highway Improvement Program -- or CHIPS funding. Sundquist says, with that, the city will again take on an "aggressive" streets repair and replacement program this year. We also discuss the city voting later this month on a new "Community Cats Program" that will allow people to bring strays and or feral cats in to get vaccinated, spayed or neutered to keep down the cat population, and make sure the cats are healthy. The program will be administered by the Chautauqua County Humane Society.

Our Terry Frank hosts his monthly interview with Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel, and they discuss a number of issues. The first is moving ahead with the merger of supervisory staff for the Department of Social Services. Two are being moved out of the Graf Building in Dunkirk to the South County Office Building in Jamestown. However... while moving out of the Graf Building due to a big increase in rent... they are moving some services to another location - the A.J. Sam Building in Dunkirk. He says this is based on a 2019 report by consultant CGR. We also discuss the decision by Human Resources Dir. Jean Riley to move south. Her last day will be Friday, Apr. 16. We discuss the fact that COVID numbers remain relatively low here, though the numbers have gone up in urban areas due to the new COVID subvariant. We also discuss the hiring of a new consultant who will look into the best ways to fund a Chautauqua Lake District to help pay for maintenance and upkeep of the lake. He says Barton & LoGuidice are expected to do the work in 12-months.

Our Terry Frank discusses economic development in Chautauqua County during a quarterly visit with Deputy County Executive for Economic Development, Mark Geise. With the COVID-19 pandemic transitioning to an endemic, While there were certainly some losses, Geise says the county fared pretty well in terms of keeping significant businesses open. We also discuss a number of projects that are being completed, or are in the works. Geise says the new Love's Travel Stop off Shortman Road in the town of Ripley had a recent soft opening. It's part of the ongoing effort to make a better entrance area to New York state from Pennsylvania and elsewhere. We also discuss the status of the redevelopment efforts at the former Welch's building in Westfield, and Silver Creek School. Geise also says, after a delayed opening -- due in part to the pandemic -- Cockaigne Ski Resort fully reopened this past Winter, and did well.

A member of the Jamestown community who often speaks on energy issues, and is a former District Heat Manager for the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities is our Terry Frank's guest this week. He talks with Doug Champ about the many changes that are coming to energy, and the way it's produced in New York state, and the U.S. in general. Champ believes the state is not going to be ready for initial changes to renewables by 2030, or thereafter. He says renewables definately has their positives, but, also have negatives. He says solar takes advantage of "free energy" from the sun. However, he says it's only able to draw power during day-light hours. In addition, he says solar requires huge arrays to be able to power any more than a few hundred homes. Champ also says wind has it's drawbacks, but, the state is pushing ahead. Electric storage from both is also an issue right now. He adds there are now three charges showing up on residents electric bill that are going towards paying for the conversion. They are rec (renewable energy costs), zrc (zero emission charges), and oric for wind energy. We also talk about the fact that hydropower is not part of the state's future plans.

This week we air a large portion of an interview our Dennis Webster and Russ Diethrick had on Media One station WJTN this past week with Robert H. Jackson Center Founder, Greg Peterson, who had just returned from a conference about World War II and it's aftermath in Minnesota. There was also a lot of discussion about the current situation with Russia's month-old war and conflict in Ukraine. Peterson says there are a lot of parallels between what happened when late Justice Robert H. Jackson was named Chief Prosecutor for the Nuremburg War Crimes Trial following World War II. Many have decried current Russian President Vladimir Putin as a war criminal due to the attacks on civilians and other non-military places in Ukraine. Peterson also reveals a story about interviewing the former defense attorney for Rudolph Hess at Nuremburg. The attorney noted that he actually met Jackson at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington in 1952, and he and Jackson spent the day visiting, and riding horses at Jackson's home in Virginia.

This week, our Terry Frank hosts the program's monthly visit with Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist to discuss a number of topics, namely a community meeting on the westside Monday night (3/14). It's to review preliminary plans for the redesign of West Third St. from Hall Avenue to Hallock St. Sundquist says the project will involve replacing about three dozen oak trees that had to be taken down after being found to be old, and in some cases, diseased. He says they're looking to replace the sidewalks there, bury some utility lines, and put in a couple of varieties of trees to replace the oaks. We also discuss the start of a New York state DOT project to reconfigure the four-lane portion of Washington St. from downtown to Fluvanna Avenue. The project will involve reducing traffic to two-lanes with a middle turning lane, as well as bike lanes. Sundquist says the project also includes some water main replacements by the Board of Public Utilities. That project begins today (3/14), and will last through the Summer. We also discuss the latest use of American Rescue Plan Act funding, which council will vote on later this month.

Our Terry Frank discusses a number of topics with Chautauqua Co. Executive P.J. Wendel this week, including the fact we may be reaching the point of the COVID-19 pandemic entering the "endemic" phase. Case numbers for the past week were down to 139 new cases, and only 8 people were hospitalized with the virus, or COVID-related illness. Wendel says that's very good news, but, adds now is the time for local, state and national leaders to take a hard look at our battered health care systems after two years of the pandemic. We also talk about the need to move ahead in dealing with some of the aftermath, including the opioid epidemic, which got worse during the pandemic. We discuss the opening of a new drug addiction treatment facility in the city of Dunkirk that will used prescribed therapies to help people get off addictive narcotics. We also discuss highlight's from Wendel's recent State of the County Address, delivered late last month, to the county legislature and general public.

The multi-year effort to build the new Star Hospice House in the village of Lakewood is high-lighted on this week's program. Our Terry Frank spoke with Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care Director of Development, Zach Agatt, about the origins of the decision to construct the house just off the campus of their Lakewood headquarters. The ribbon was recently cut on the Star Hospice House, which will be able to care for up to 200 people. Agatt says they're pleased to have construction completed on the 2.8-million dollar effort, which took longer than projected due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and supply chain issues. Agatt says the hospice house will not be open until at least early April, though, because it must pass a New York state inspection first. He thanked their many contractors for the project, along with donors, and Co-Chairpersons Dr. Bert and Mary Rappole.

This week, Terry Frank spoke with Jamestown Board of Public Utilities General Manager Dave Leathers on a number of topics, including getting an update on the garbage collection situation with the Solid Waste Division. After a rough start to new procedures in picking up trash, Leathers says things seem to have smoothed out. We also discuss all five divisions, and the fact only Wastewater is looking at a fee or rate increase in 2022. We also discuss New York state's new climate initiatives, and what kind of impacts will, or could be put in place for the BPU. Leathers says customers will pay for the state's initiatives through their local billing. He adds that the BPU will also host a Clean Energy-related summit this coming October.

Our Terry Frank speaks with Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist this week on a number of topics... including Gov. Kathy Hochul lifting the mask mandate for public, indoor places. Sundquist says some entities -- including the courts -- still require masks in the city. However, he says people are still welcome to wear masks if they are more comfortable wearing one right now. We also discuss the city council's recent rejection of a new, four-year contract with the Jamestown Professional Firefighters Local 137. He says they hope to continue talks with the department... but, adds arbitration is also a possibility. We also discuss council's recent look at doing a full revaluation of property in the city at a cost of 285,000 dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funding. That's among a number of potential projects, mainly for economic development projects in the city. It would be Jamestown's first revaluation in 15 years. We also preview Sundquist's attending the annual New York State Conference of Mayor's Winter Session in Albany this weekend.

Our Terry Frank discusses a number of issues with Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel, including preparations and snow plow safety through the major storm the area received late last week. We also discuss the latest with the number of new COVID-19 cases falling for a third-straight week. There were still just over 1,000 new cases. However... Wendel points out the county distributed some 18,000 testing kits with two tests in each. He says it's hard to tell what the real numbers are like because those testing negative don't necessarily report it to the county or state. We also discuss the governor's new budget proposal, and what may be included for the county, along with redistricting in New York state. Wendel says he testified twice (once on-line) to keep the 23rd Southern Tier District intact.

New York State Senator George Borrello joins our Terry Frank in studio this week to discuss a number of issues as the state legislative session is underway in Albany. Borrello predicts that Gov. Kathy Hochul will extend the indoor COVID-19 mask mandate because her administration is fighting a State Supreme Court ruling on Long Island against the mandate. Hochul early this weekend extended that mandate to Feb. 10. We also discuss the Farm Labor Overtime Mandate change from 60 hours to 40 hours a week. That was approved after a year of debate and hearings by a state agriculture commission... and, now goes to the state Labor Commissioner for final approval. Borrello says it will hurt farmers, and farm workers. We also further discuss Gov. Hochul's budget proposal. He is encouraged because she is calling for a new tax credit for farmers that would have difficulty with the new labor mandate. We also discuss his being reappointed as the Ranking Republican member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and other assignments for 2022.

Chautauqua County's representative in the U.S. House of Representatives this past week restarted his weekly telephone conference calls after they ended abruptly early last year. Corning Republican Tom Reed, who announced he was not seeking re-election after revelations of sexual misconduct during an ice fishing junket to Minnesota in 2017, spoke with Southern Tier Media about a number of issues. In the beginning, he discusses the recently approved 1.2-trillion dollar infrastructure bill that he voted for. Media One's Terry Frank then asks about the future of the "Build Back Better" legislation, which Reed agrees is dead in the water. He says parts of it may come back in "stand-alone" form, but, will need bi-partisan backing. He also discusses fellow New York Republican Congressman John Katco's decision to also not run again. Reed also looked back on President Joe Biden's first-year in office, and says his biggest disappointment that Biden has not followed through on his promise to unity the country, and work in a more bi-partisan manner with the House and Senate. He says he decided to do the calls again because many members of the media in the district had urged him to resume them.

This week, our Terry Frank speaks with Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist on a number of topics to begin the new year... including the explosion of COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant. Of the 1,855 cases for the previous week, 449 of those were in the Jamestown 14701 zip code, and it's hit most departments of city hall. Sundquist was among those handing out 500 rapid home-test kits to local residents last Wednesday. He says all 300 distributed that day went within 10 minutes or so at each of the three locations. Another 200 were handed out at two locations the following day. Sundquist also discussed a number of complaints over garbage that was not picked up at the start of 2022. The Board of Public Utilities started enforcing the city code that states that all trash needs to be placed into the large BPU container, and the lid must be shut. He says stickers were to be put on the trash -- if it wasn't properly placed curbside -- to explain what happened, and a number to call if there was an issue. We also discuss some controversy that's come up over his appointments to the BPU for the new year. He elected not to reappoint past resident members Greg Rabb, and Jim Olson.

Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel joins our Terry Frank this week to discuss topics, including the announcement about COVID-19 protocol changes by the county's Dept. of Health and Human Services, that it will not be able to contact some people individually about them testing positive for COVID. Wendel says that's for two reasons: one is with the omicron variant, the virus has been much more prevalent, and the other is because of their work to allow "test to stay" in local schools. We also discuss his recent comments that the county will not enforce the state's mask mandate. He says that's pretty much impossible to do, and adds the county could only really "educate" businesses that weren't enforcing the mandate to begin with. He defended the handling of the December County Legislature meeting where some residents refused to wear masks, even though they were asked to. He says people were able to socially distance in the legislature chambers. We also discuss local Congressman Tom Reed's visit to the county to announce funding approved through the 1.2-trillion dollar federal Infrastructure bill. Finally, the executive gives his impressions of Gov. Kathy Hochul's first State of the State Address.

News Director Terry Frank looks back on the biggest stories of 2021... including the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, and recent impact of the Omicron variant on case numbers. We also look at federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, and it's potential impact on Chautauqua County, and it's two cities. We also high-light the biggest fire of 2021... which destroyed the former Jamestown Royal Furniture building on Crescent St. and the arrest of two juveniles for allegedly setting it. We also look back on the increases in opioid drug overdoses and deaths in Chautauqua County, and nationwide. We also reflect on the local commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the "9/11" attacks, and the loss of a county native in those attacks. Terry also looks back at Congressman Tom Reed's reaction to the January 6th attack and riot at the U.S. Capitol Building, as well as others.

Jamestown City Council President Tony Dolce discusses the issues with our Terry Frank during their annual end-of-year program on city matters. We discuss the just completed budget process, and the fact that 36,000 dollars will have to be moved for items that Mayor Eddie Sundquist vetoed, but, lawmakers did not override. A vote will be taken on Dec. 27. In addition, Dolce says lawmakers may begin voting on projects that are part of the city's Master Plan for use of American Rescue Plan Act funds. The city has received just over 14-million dollars so far from the federal government. We also discuss setting aside some ARPA funding to clean-up the eastern portion of the Chadakoin River. Dolce says they may look at designating 150,000 dollars for that. We also discuss why City Council decided against voting to opt-out of allowing marijuana dispensaries, and on-site consumption sites in the city. Mainly... Dolce says there wasn't time to get a local law through the process before the end of the year.

Our Terry Frank speaks with Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist about a number of topics... first of all previewing Monday night's vote on several veto overrides by the City Council. He says each one is important, but, said he's most concerned about 6,000 dollars for the Human Rights Commission, and 10,000 dollars for the city's Urban Renewal Agency. As it wound up, there was a mix of vetoes that were overriden, and others that were upheld by lawmakers. We also discuss the increase in COVID-19 numbers in the city and surrounding area. Also... we discuss the need for City Council to vote on a revised resolution appointing George Panebianco as the city's second City Court Judge. The appointment was approved at the end of November, but, Sundquist says another resolution is needed because the Unified Court System wants all new appointments to be for a full, 10-year term. We also talk about the mayor meeting with local human service and other agencies about welcoming between 20 and 50 refugees among those that will be brought to NYS. These would be mainly Afghan refugees. We also look back on the city's Christmas Parade.

This week, Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel joins our Terry Frank to discuss latest local developments in the COVID-19 pandemic, namely the recent rise in cases -- fueled by the Delta Variant. Wendel is urging residents to get vaccinated if they haven't already, and get the COVID booster shot as soon as you can. He also urged people to wear masks when in public, indoor places, where there are crowds of people. Wendel says, what's scary about this wave of infections, is the number of people in their 20s and 30s who have wound up very sick, and have been intubated. He says Gov. Kathy Hochul's potential move to have the National Guard help deal with hospitalized cases is good news... especially if they are put into nursing homes, where staff shortages are being seen most. We also take a brief look back on 2021.

This week, our Terry Frank speaks with spokesman Steve Kilburn of CombatAddictionCHQ.com about the alarming rise in the number of opioid drug overdoses in the U.S. and Chautauqua County. Kilburn agrees it's mainly two issues that have cause the problem: isolation and depression from the COVID-19 pandemic, and a ready supply of dangerous drugs -- namely Fentanyl. He says Fentanyl has legitimate medical uses, but, adds it's 50 to 100-times more potent than morphine. It's often times laced in with heroin, and methamphetamine. However, he says it's also being mixed in with pills sold on the black market are prescription pills, but, the buyer doesn't really know that they're getting. There have been a number of overdoses tied to that, and the illicit drug supply. Kilburn urged addicts looking for help to go to their website at CombatAddictionCHQ.com... and, check out their helps. Those include test strips to see if Fentanyl is in their supply, and get narcan to help revive someone who has overdosed or ingested something more lethal.

This week, we air much of a WJTN interview by Dennis Webster and Russ Diethrick with Salvation Army Major Kim Merchant about the start of the annual Red Kettle Campaign in the Jamestown-area. The first, manned kettle was put up about a week ago at the Tops Market on Washington Street, with others to follow. Major Merchant says this year's goal is again 115,000 dollars because, even with much more open than last year at this time, they don't want to overburden the community with a high goal amount. She says there are about 600 families a month that they help out with through their pantry and other services at their Brooklyn Square location. Merchant says their Angel Tree program is also underway to provide Christmas gifts to needy children in the area. To volunteer to ring the bells for the Red Kettle Campaign, or help out the Angel Tree program, Merchant says call the Salvation Army at 664-4108.

Our Terry Frank talks with Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist this week about a number of topics, including the ongoing 2022 budget deliberations with the City Council. Sundquist says no budget amendments have been offered as yet, but, he does say a couple of department heads have been asked to come back before council to explain what's in their spending plans. The 38.9-million dollar budget needs to be approved by Dec. 1, or the mayor's proposal will go in place for 2022. As of this Monday, (11/15) the council is still planning to have a public hearing on the budget this Friday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. We also discuss the return of the Jamestown Holiday Parade and Celebration this Friday, Dec. 3 through Sat. Dec. 4. For the first time, the parade will be held on a Saturday, and include "fun runs" for people to participate in. We also discuss the losses by Democrats on Election Night, Nov. 2. Republicans are gaining an additional at-large council seat, and won the Ward-Six race where Andrew Faulkner defeated incumbant Democrat Tom Nelson. That gives the GOP a 7-2 majority for the new year. Another seat, in Ward-Three, finds Regina Brackman leading GOP challenger, Robert Reedy, Jr. by just 11 votes. A win there would give the GOP an 8-1 majority.

Our Terry Frank discusses a number of topics with just-reelected Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel. Wendel was overwhelmingly re-elected over Democrat Norm Green, 72-percent to 27-percent. The Lakewood Republican says he's "humbled" by the victory, and adds it's a team effort with the county legislature to move the county forward. We also discuss the final budget, approved by lawmakers at the end of October, which he signed during the week. Wendel says is cuts the tax levy by 271,000 dollars... and, the full value tax rate by 41-cents per 1,000, to 8.10 per thousand. We also discuss the latest COVID-19 case numbers, and an increase the past three weeks. Wendel says the most important numbers to look at are active cases, and hospitalizations. Deaths did increase by five to 211 since the pandemic began in March of 2020. We also discuss his goals now that he's been elected to his first, full 4-year term in office.

News Director Terry Frank speaks this week with Deputy County Executive Mark Geise about a number of topics, including how the county is using the 24.6-million dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funding for economic development. Geise says there are a number of ways they're proposing, including pushing more workforce development for jobs open here in Chautauqua County. We also discuss supply chain issues. However, Geise says it's not as big a problem because local companies have been working with other locally to supply what they need to make their products. We also discuss the city of Jamestown's Chadakoin River Strategic Business Plan, being developed with the city's Planning Commission and the Gebbie Foundation. We also get an update on the new Love's Travel Center being constructed at the Shortman Rd. exit of the New York state Thruway.

Our Terry Frank speaks with 57th District State Senator George Borrello on three main topics: the first being the health care worker shortage in the area. There have been some issues in the area, especially in staffing for obstetrics, and emergency rooms. We also talk about a "grey area" that has arisen with the new law legalizing the possession and use of marijuana. That involves some places -- including sovereign indian reservations -- where marijuana is being "gifted" to people who purchase, say a 50-dollar shirt. They get a sticker to go to a trailer or outbuilding nearby to pick up their pot. Borrello says it's a product of a law that was "horribly" written." We also discuss the five state propositions on the Nov. 2 ballot. He opposes four of them. Prop. 1 would change redistricting in New York to allow undocumented residents to be included from Census data. The second creates a constitutional right to clean air and clean water. The third and fourth deal with elections themselves: one authorizes the state legislature to allow same-day voter registration, and the other allows for "no excuse" absentee voting. The fifth proposition -- which Borrello supports -- increases the NYC Civil Court's jurisdiction from cases involving 25,000 to 50,000 dollars.

Our Terry Frank speaks with Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist on two main topics: The first being his proposed 38.9-million dollar, 2022 budget proposal... the other use of the city's just over 28-million dollar allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act. Sundquist highlights the fact that the 3-million dollars of the ARPA funding will be used in three areas: One is to do a number of projects -- 41 --across the city for parks, some facilities and equipment, and to help hire seven new employees, many of them as part of "succession planning" for future retirements. We also discuss what's being used from the ARPA funds for public safety... namely for the fire and police departments. That was brought up during a recent council work session by a member of the public. He says there is also some money included to begin the process of replacing the Cathedral Oak Trees on West Third Street.

Our Terry Frank speaks with County Executive P.J. Wendel on a number of topics, including the rationale behind the county moving from weekday reporting of COVID-19 cases to a weekly model. Wendel says the decision was made by his entire COVID-19 Response Team, after hearing from Public Health Director Christine Schuyler and epidemiologists in the department. He says it's due mainly to them taking on more responsibility going forward to do contact tracing, and dole out vaccines. We also discuss his proposed, 2022 budget plan, which cuts the full value tax rate by 26-cents per 1,000 dollars... but, increases the tax levy by 955,000 dollars. Currently, he says the legislature is looking at a few "minor changes" at this point. We also discuss the opening of a "Hometown Heroes Memorial" in Mayville... and moving forward on utilizing the 24.6-million dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funding for the county. Wendel says the county has now received it's initial traunche of 12.3-million dollars.