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Council Should Weigh Public Comments

To The Reader’s Forum:

It was good to see many engaged citizens from the City of Jamestown, Town of Ellicott and Village of Falconer attend the public hearing on the proposed annexation of the BPU Dow Street Substation property. The question of annexation is largely a moral one; a matter of whether the city should versus whether they could. Understandably, emotions ran high and I want to address some negative assertions aimed at the city, such as the city “going downhill” and lacking positive development.

In recent years Chautauqua County is experiencing a great resurgence. Last fall, Buffalo Business First ranked Chautauqua County second in Western New York development with 164 active projects totaling nearly $2.5 billion. Specifically there is much to be excited about in Jamestown, with development projects like the National Comedy Center, New Flyer manufacturing facility, and 10 major Downtown Revitalization Initiative projects. We have a positive story to tell and it is crucial to spread good news if we are to capitalize on this forward momentum.

Continuing to pursue annexation to the appellate court will only further damage relationships between neighbors and cost taxpayers hefty legal fees, which would further minimize any perceived financial gain. This negative cloud would continue to cast a shadow over our area’s already troubled perception issues. I hope Jamestown City Council heavily weighs the public hearing comments, especially those made by City residents who were all opposed to annexation. Let’s send a message that our communities will work together to address our challenges, not let them divide us.

Daniel Heitzenrater

Ellicott

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