WCA HOLDS BEAM-RAISING CEREMONY
JAMESTOWN – The effort to build a brand new emergency room facility at WCA Hospital took a major step forward yesterday with the raising of the final steel beam at the $16.5 million dollar project site. Dozens of hospital staff members witnessed the ceremony, with remarks being made from several local officials, including Congressman Brian Higgins, who said the project illustrates what happens when a community pulls together during tough times.
Former city council woman Dr. Lillian Ney – who serves as the chairperson of the capitol campaign to raise the funding needed to pay for the project – said that even with the completion of the steel framework, she still has a hard time believing the project is actually underway.
Several members of the hospital staff also made remarks, including WCA President and CEO Betsy Wright, who said that once completed, the new facility will increase in space, affording more patient volume, added privacy and modern amenities. The project is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.
EDWARDS TO PRESENT BUDGET TONIGHT TO LAWMAKERS
MAYVILLE – County Executive Greg Edwards will be going over the details of his $235 million dollar, 2012 Chautauqua County spending plan tonight during the regular voting session of the county legislature. Despite calling for a tax increase of over 12.5 percent, the spending plan actually contains a reduction in local spending by 7.45 percent. However, according to Edwards and other officials, there are several state mandated costs the county has no control over, and that is what has led to the increase in total spending and – as a result – a call for increased property taxes.
The County Legislature will meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight on the third floor of the Gerace Office Building in Mayville.
NYPA VOTES TO HOLD OFF ON GREAT LAKES WIND PROJECT
ALBANY – It appears there won’t be any effort by the state’s top power authority to pursue a Great Lakes Offshore Wind Project in the immediate future. Yesterday the New York Power Authority (NYPA) Board of Trustees voted to end the competitive solicitation process for the proposed project without awarding a contract for project development. The estimated annual cost of the project and the current economic conditions were the reasons for the Trustees’ action. Development of a 150 megawatt (MW) GLOW project would have resulted in an estimated annual subsidy of between $60 million and $100 million, resulting in a significant cost premium to the authority.
STARFLIGHT CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY
JAMESTOWN – The Starflight emergency helicopter service celebrated its 25th anniversary yestersday with an open house at its Allen Street hanger. Several officials attended the event, include those who’ve been involved with the program since its inception 25 years ago. Past photos and images of the program were also made available to the public, along with food and refreshments.
Starflight began operation on Aug. 20, 1986, and has since taken care of 7,500 patients. It operates in a 75 nautical-mile radius of Jamestown, and flies patients to specialty centers in Buffalo, Rochester, Pittsburgh, Erie and Cleveland.
INFINITY BRINGS TOURING MUSICIAN TO JAMESTOWN
JAMESTOWN – A man who has been called one of the most unique and humorous performers in the contemporary acoustic scene will be coming to Jamestown the first week of October.
Infinity Visual and Performing Arts has scheduled several workshops and performances with musician Richard Gilewitz from Tampa, Fla. Not only will Gilewitz be in town to entertain children and adults, but he’ll also provide several workshops for local musicians on Wednesday, Oct. 5, through Friday, Oct. 7.
Gilewitz will perform for students at the C.C. Ring Elementary School on the afternoon of Oct. 5 and students at S.G. Love Elementary School on the following afternoon. He’ll also perform a concert/seminar at the Infinity Cafe on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.
In addition, Gilewitz will host several workshops for musicians. There will be a $5 fee for non-Infinity attendees that attend each workshop. For more information, call Infinity at 664-0991.
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