Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down
Thumbs up to all those involved in last weekend’s numerous Memorial Day activities across the region. From a large parade and ceremony in the city of Jamestown to smaller but equally impressive remembrances throughout the area, local veterans’ organizations impressed once again this year with their ability to remember the fallen with honor and respect. As County Executive Vince Horrigan noted at the town of Poland ceremony at Riverside Cemetery in Kennedy, Memorial Day has not become just another day off for local residents. “A new awareness of the sacrifices of our military members is making everyone stop and take notice,” said Horrigan, retired Air Force Colonel. “They’re becoming ingrained as part of our American experience.” We should remember the sacrifices of our current and former servicemen and women each and every day.
Thumbs down to a senior prank gone wrong at Jamestown High School. Six male students broke into the school and vandalized the building during the early morning hours Tuesday, according to Captain Robert F. Samuelson of the Jamestown Police Department. The students damaged cameras, tied strings through numerous lockers, moved furniture and damaged a lock in one of the main office buildings. The fact that students committed criminal acts by forcing their way into the school should concern the administration, community and police. Students, who attempted to do something funny, have actually harmed the school supported by their parents and the rest of the taxpaying community. The six students will appear in Jamestown City Court to face third-degree burglary, fourth-degree criminal mischief and third-degree criminal tampering charges. Rightfully so.
Thumbs up to the Allen Park Women’s Club and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation for making a new, handicapped-accessible swing set in memory of Kallie Swan possible. Mayor Sam Teresi and other local officials gathered Tuesday to unveil the swing set, which will be dedicated to Kallie, the 3-year-old Falconer girl who died May 6 after a courageous battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The park’s former swing set was in disrepair, making the new addition a welcome upgrade. Local families may now remember Kallie every time they use the park.
Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down
Thumbs up to Tirell McEntire, a 25-year-old Jamestown native and aspiring hip-hop artist who was recently signed to a record deal. Most music fans might know McEntire better by his stage name of Relly Rell. McEntire was signed to Mission Control Recordings, a subsidiary of SONY Music, in January, after he garnered the attention of the label’s founder and chief executive officer, Robert Ross, through amateur music videos posted to his Facebook page. Since then, the up-and-coming artist said he has maintained a hectic schedule that includes making several trips to Pittsburgh for recording sessions and a recent visit to Florida for a professional video shoot to accompany the release of his first single, “Great Life.” “Things are really coming together,” he said. “It’s crazy to have something like this happen to someone from Jamestown, it’s very rare, especially because of the bad reputation hip-hop has gotten in the area music scene. So it’s been tough getting this far. I got turned down in a lot of places because a lot of people aren’t into the hip-hop shows, but I’ve been really dedicated to this goal, and I never gave up on it.” McEntire maintains an online presence through his Facebook and Instagram accounts, both bearing the name “Tirell McEntire,” as well as an official website that is currently under construction. To stay updated on McEntire’s upcoming live appearances and the release of his singles visit www.rellyrellmcr.com.
Thumbs down to whoever has chosen the Ripley Free Library as a target for theft and vandalism. Recently, someone broke into the library, stealing a small amount of cash and a camera while damaging a flat screen television and trashing the genealogy and history room in the rear of the library. This comes after several hundred dollars was taken by the perpetrators in March. There was minimal damage during the incident. Friends of the Ripley Library members said the theft “put (library) programs in jeopardy,” including computer programs and the summer reading program. Papers that were strewn about were records for the Wounded Warrior Project and the upcoming Memorial Day celebrations. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident, and Sheriff Joe Gerace said anyone with information can contact the Sheriff’s Office at 753-4231 or the WeTip hotline. Those tips provided to WeTip may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
Thumbs up to the Chautauqua Lake Central School district’s new manufacturing club. Jay Baker, vice president of Chautauqua Lake Board of Education, said the club is for students in seventh through 12th grades and will meet during lunch, so it doesn’t interfere with other organizations or activities. Many corporate manufacturing companies have offered to host tours and instruction at any time, Baker said, and so far there are 40 individuals from three companies interested in working with the students. Baker also said the club is interested in putting projects made in Chautauqua County in the school foyer to spark students’ interest. “There is a huge need (for this club), and there is no downside,” Baker said. He’s right. It’s good to see schools and manufacturers working together on this project. It will benefit Chautauqua Lake Central School students, the manufacturing community and, possibly, other school districts by providing a model to follow.
Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down
Thumbs up to the Celoron Village Board for reaching a decision on the so-called “Scary Lucy” statue. On Monday, the board approved a motion to grant the National Comedy Center possession of the bronze Lucille Ball sculpture. Better yet, the village retains ownership of “Scary Lucy,” and the comedy center will help raise funds for a replacement statue for Celoron’s Lucille Ball Memorial Park. Both the comedy center and the village could end up benefiting from increased tourist traffic thanks to the statues. Trustee Mary Keeney calls the agreement a “win-win.” We couldn’t agree more.
Thumbs down to local residents who can’t spare a few seconds to obey the law and protect pedestrians. As noted in a letter to the editor by Jamestown’s Jen Decker this week, crosswalks serve a purpose. Sure, barreling into an intersection or speeding past a crosswalk might save a driver a few seconds, but obeying traffic laws and stopping for those crossing the street could save lives. Those who can’t find the time to protect pedestrians should consider leaving home earlier instead of trying to make up time on the road.
Thumbs up to the Cassadaga Valley High School students, faculty and staff who raised funds for Hospice Chautauqua County through a Mother’s Day fundraiser. The school came together to sell 193 dozen roses, raising $1,100 for the nonprofit organization. Jill Mekus, the teachers’ aide who led the group, and all involved deserve to be commended. “It’s just incredible,” said Ron Sellers, Hospice Chautauqua County president. “I think it would be terrific if all of the schools would join together and follow their example. This not only honors their mothers, but it does good in their community.” Let’s hope fundraisers like this catch on in other local schools.
Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down
Thumbs up to the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, which takes place today. Those who want to participate can simply place donations of non-perishable canned or boxed goods near their mailbox for postal carriers to pick up on their route. In Jamestown, donations will be given to the Salvation Army’s food pantry while collections in other areas will be delivered to that area’s food pantry.
Today marks the end of Arson Awareness Week, which is more than enough reason to give thumbs down to those who intentionally set fire to another person’s property. Within the last few weeks a 15-year-old Jamestown youth was charged with setting vehicles and dumpsters on fire outside the Spanish Gates Apartments while two more Jamestown men and a Buffalo youth were charged with breaking into a house on Pearl Street before setting it on fire. Six people from the Pearl Street fire had to find new places to live because of that fire. Mayor Sam Teresi’s 2015 State of the City address discussed how arsons deplete the city budget, erode the city’s tax base and place the lives of the public and first responders in jeopardy. It’s a sad commentary on our times that we need to have an arson awareness week in the first place or that mayors feel the need to embark on public education campaigns to tell people that setting fire to things that don’t belong to them is wrong.
Thumbs up to an opportunity to learn more about specific projects and activities under way to improve the health of Chautauqua Lake. The Spring Lake Rally will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon today at the town of Chautauqua Municipal Building, 2 Academy St., Mayville. Presentations will include a discussion by Erin Brickley, executive director of the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance, regarding the mission, goals and timeline of the organization; a discussion by the Chautauqua Lake Association regarding activities related to lake ecology, herbivores and algae; a discussion by the Jamestown Audubon Society regarding their efforts to combat aggressive invasive species; and an update from McCoy regarding the macrophyte management strategy, grant-funded projects and the waterways occupancy tax program. The event is free and open to the public, and breakfast will be available.
Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down
Thumbs up to area businesses that have the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities’ Cents for St. Susan Campaign off to $10,000 start. Two donors – KeyBank and DFT Communications – have given $1,000 while $500 sponsors include: Alfie’s Restaurant, Asplundh, Burgett and Robbins Attorneys, Century 21/Turner Brokers, Falconer Printing & Design, Inc., Chautauqua Metal Finishing Supply, Freed Maxick CPAs, The Legend Group with Lou Deppas, National Fuel, Northwest Savings Bank, Slone Melhuish Insurance, TJ’s Plumbing & Heating, Valu Hearing Services, Weinberg Financial Group and Wright, Wright & Hampton Attorneys. Boyles Motor Sales is a sponsor for May. The BPU has organized the Cents for St. Susan campaign for the last 15 years, raising a total of $142,780. Such support is necessary because the center needs more help than ever before. The number of meals served in 2014 at St. Susan Center reached 116,832, a 7.94 percent increase from 2013. In January 2015, 8,647 meals were served, a 1.95 percent increase from January 2014. Yellow canisters can be found at dozens of area businesses. Even small donations go a long way.
Thumbs down to continued welfare fraud in Chautauqua County – and a corresponding thumbs up to efforts to crack down on such fraud. On Wednesday, a Jamestown woman was charged after an investigator’s review of food stamp use at area stores showed she had allegedly been using a public benefit card that did not belong to the woman. Investigators allege the woman was not active for public benefits and purchased a benefit card from someone who was eligible for benefits. That case was preceded in the last couple of weeks by charges against an area woman for receiving $3,106 in SNAP benefits to which she was not entitled and a Jamestown man being charged after receiving $1,492 in food stamps to which he was not entitled. Public benefit fraud drives up the cost of programs for taxpaying county residents. It’s good to see the county stepping up efforts to reduce fraud and waste in the system.
Thumbs up to the town of Busti for asking for the public’s help in determining the future of the town’s community center. The Busti Community Center was formerly located in the quonset hut at 9 W. Summit Ave., Lakewood, but was sold in December and in-house activities moved to other locations. In the past, the Busti Community Recreation Program has included programs for seniors, adults, children and teens, offered space for community groups and clubs to meet and held special events. It has also been available for individual rental for family parties or other events. The new center will be in Busti’s new offices at 125 Chautauqua Ave., Lakewood. A survey to see what the public would like to see is available at Busti and Lakewood municipal offices, Lakewood and Hazeltine libraries and at many local businesses throughout the town and the village. A link is also available on the Busti website at www.townofbusti.com. Surveys are to be taken until May 31 and then compiled and presented at a Busti Town Board meeting. Anyone interested should take a few minutes to complete the survey and have their say in the future of the town’s community offerings.