By TODD TRANUM
President & CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce & Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier
On behalf of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier we express our appreciation to the 16 legislators who voted yes on resolution #189-12, authorizing negotiation of contract for sale of the Chautauqua County Home. We view this vote as reassurance that a majority of the legislators are hearing our voice and the voice of the majority of the property taxpayers in Chautauqua County.
As I stated at the special legislative meeting on Oct. 18 there is clearly consensus among everyone that we need to find a way to continue to provide care at the facility, maintain jobs, get the facility to a better financial situation and lower the burden on the property taxpayer. There is a difference in opinion on how to get this accomplished. The studies and data provide very clear evidence that there is only one solution to this situation and that is to sell the Home to a private company. We view last week's vote by the legislature as a vote of confidence for the county executive to proceed with the next step of negotiating with the prospective purchaser, Altitude. We also view the vote in support of this next step as a vote to keep the facility open, maintain the jobs at the facility, improve the financial situation at the facility and put the facility on the tax rolls. This is good government.
Thank you to, George Borrello, Rod Rogers, Robert Stewart, Tom Erlandson, Larry Barmore, Mark Tarbrake, Victoria James, Paula DeJoy, Charles Nazzaro, Vince Horrigan, Paul Wendell, Jay Gould, Fred Croscut, David Himelein, John Hemmer and Bob Scudder for continuing the due diligence process.
Meet our new congressman Nov. 9
The Chamber of Commerce is providing a unique opportunity this fall for area business people to meet with our new representative in Congress. Just days after the election, the Chamber will present our annual Federal Congressional Luncheon, to be held Friday, Nov. 9 at Moon Brook Country Club. Both Republican candidate Tom Reed and Democratic candidate Nate Shinagawa have accepted the invitation, and whoever wins the election will be the Chamber's guest speaker that day.
The Chamber has provided a meeting in the past with our representative in Congress. This year, however, offers a unique opportunity. Since new Congressional District lines were drawn following the 2010 Census, this is the first election for the new 23rd Congressional District. As a result, the nature of the district has changed and this will be a first chance for our new congressman to meet with his constituency.
The cost of the luncheon is $18 for Chamber members or $21 for non members. This event is sponsored by Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Jamestown Mattress Company, Jamestown Savings Bank Arena, Lake Erie Regional Health System of New York, Medicor Associates, NRG Dunkirk Power, WCA Hospital, Jamestown Jammers Baseball, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, Chadwick Bay Broadcasting WDOE/KIX96, and WJTN/WWSE/WKSN/WHUG/WQFX. Anyone who wants to attend may call the Chamber at 366-6200 or 484-1101 to register, or may register online at www.chautauquachamber.org.
Chamber website for members only
If you are a member of the Chamber of Commerce you can log in on the Chamber's website to update your business or contact information, pay a bill, add a coupon to your landing page, or review a referral report to see how often your business has been viewed on the Chamber website or referred on the phone.
If you need help logging in, please call the Chamber office at 484-1101 or 366-6200 or email cccc@chautauquachamber.org.
