Development News for Jamestown, New York

Proposal for Festivus Pole Installation at City Expense

David Gonzalez proposed installing a Festivus pole at his own expense, either in the lobby or Tracy Plaza, near the Christmas tree. He explained that the Festivus pole originated from the television show Seinfeld as a joke alternative to Christmas for those seeking less stress. He believes it would be a welcome decoration, especially given Jamestown's status as the home of the National Comedy Center. The council indicated they would provide information on the necessary steps for approval.

Crime Escalation and Lack of Street Lighting Raise Safety Concerns

Resident Raven Corvis highlighted escalating crime on East 8th Street and Lake View, including stabbings, break-ins, and attempted burglaries, attributing the increase to drug-related activities. She identified specific houses on East 8th Street as drug dealing locations and pointed out that the lack of adequate street lighting on Fulton Street contributes to criminal activity by providing darkness and cover for illicit actions. She requested an investigation into installing additional street lights on Fulton Street to improve safety.

Resident Criticizes High Taxes, Cites Economic Decline and Housing Issues

Anthony Tota expressed strong concerns about the impact of increasing taxes in Jamestown. He stated that high taxes have driven businesses out, reduced employment, and diminished the tax base, leading to housing issues such as condemnation and auction. He attributed this to a 'tax and spend' cycle and argued that the solution is not to continue raising taxes but to reduce them and focus on economic development, such as attracting businesses and creating jobs to expand the taxable income and real property base. He noted that raising taxes beyond the 2% cap exacerbates these issues, leading to fiscal infirmity and an unsafe budgetary process.

Community Cleanup Success on Fulton Street, but Safety Concerns Remain

A resident, Raven Corvis, expressed gratitude for the cleanup event on Fulton Street, noting the significant amount of trash collected and the positive impact on the neighborhood's appearance. She also highlighted community building aspects of the event. However, she raised concerns about ongoing issues on East 8th Street and Lake View, including drug-related activities, break-ins, and attempted burglaries, noting that crime is escalating and spreading. She specifically mentioned two houses on East 8th Street being used for drug dealing and identified Fulton Street as a dark road lacking adequate street lighting, which she believes contributes to criminal activity. The council acknowledged the need to investigate street lighting improvements on Fulton Street.