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Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist isn't taking kindly to criticism from County Executive PJ Wendel.
The war of words -- waged via news releases from the respective politicians' communications coordinators -- began Tuesday morning when Wendel was critical of the safety of the city parking ramp on Spring Street after county employees attended Monday's City Council meeting complaining they feel unsafe or that their vehicles had been vandalized while they are working at county offices in Jamestown's City Hall.
Sarah Zinni, one of those workers, spoke to The Post-Journal last week after her vehicle was damaged in the ramp.
"While I'm pleased to hear the City of Jamestown is considering additional security measures, like surveillance cameras and added lighting at the Spring Street parking ramp, the uptick in crime in the heart of downtown Jamestown has been a problem for years," Wendel said in a statement through his public information officer. "It's disappointing that additional measures are being considered only after acts of violence and vandalism towards not just Chautauqua County employees who patronize the parking structure, but also the general public, makes headline news across our community. My administration is scheduled to meet with city representatives in September to try and resolve these safety concerns going forward."
Sundquist gave council members copies of bids for new lights and security cameras in the Spring and Cherry street parking ramps totaling roughly $250,000, while adding that signs requested late last year by Police Chief Tim Jackson had been ordered.
Sundquist then shot back with his own statement late Tuesday through his new communications coordinator, saying the city and county need to work together when dealing with issues that affect Jamestown and Chautauqua County residents.
"At last night's City Council work session, we heard from concerned residents and County employees about recent safety incidents at the Spring Street parking garage. Investments that would improve the safety of the garage, including cameras and new lighting, were also presented to City Council at the same session. This has followed many months of conversations with county department heads and employees, as well as action, in the form of increased police patrols, to enhance safety as we gathered the necessary information to make permanent changes to the City's parking garages," Sundquist said in his statement. "My administration has always been about fostering partnerships and collaborative action. I am deeply disappointed by the County Executive's statement as the city has always been a partner with the county. I believe it is more productive to have a conversation around public safety issues impacting our residents rather than making public statements. I look forward to meeting with the County Executive and other County officials at the end of August to discuss these matters and working with our City Council to secure funding for parking ramp improvements."