PUBLIC ALERT: Charitable concerns; 4-H Endowment, Blue Star Moms, and Pennies for Paws.

Crowd Funding: County 4-H Dinner Benefits New Endowment Fund

February 18, 2013 By Eric Tichy (etichy@post-journal.com) , The Post-Journal

GERRY – The Chautauqua County 4-H program further fueled its new endowment fund Sunday during its second annual benefit dinner at the Gerry Rodeo Grounds.

Proceeds from the event will go toward funding a $2 million endowment through the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. The benefit dinner was the first of many fundraisers to help the youth development group reach its 2017 deadline in order to stay independent of county and state support.

More…

The 4-H is a fine organization and has very admirable goal set forth. Wwe strongly encourage the public who have the means to support their efforts – “in order to stay independent of county and state support” !

Blue Star Mothers to send Easter Care Packages to troops

February 13, 2013 The OBSERVER

The Lake Erie New York Chapter 4 of the Blue Star Mothers is grateful for the community’s support shown during its Christmas Care Package Project. The 435 boxes, including many that were sent to Afghanistan, arrived on time for Christmas and were immensely appreciated by the military. The Blue Star Mothers have received many thank-you notes, and each note has expressed how much the boxes meant to them and how much their spirits were lifted by receiving them, often asking to relay this thanks to the community. The group is now beginning to collect for its annual Easter Care Package Project. Again, the Blue Star Mothers are asking the community for support in the form of donations of items to fill these boxes or money to cover postage. Check area legions, churches and businesses for a Blue Star Mother box to drop items into. Those who are unable to find a collection box and would like to donate may contact the organization at bluestarmothersny4@yahoo.com.

The Blue Star Mothers are also looking for cards and letters from the community to add to these boxes. Any local scout troop, Sunday School group, classroom or other group that would like to make cards or write letters thanking men and women who are serving and wish them a “Happy Easter” can contact the Blue Star Mothers at the above email address. The club will make arrangements to collect them and include them in the boxes. The Blue Star Mothers will be packing and mailing the Easter care packages at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, at the Zion Lutheran Church, 45 Falconer St., Frewsburg. Donations may also be dropped off at the church from 9 to 11 a.m. that day.

If anyone has the address of a deployed military member that they would like the Blue Star Mothers to add to our list, please email it to the address above. Any support for postage costs can be sent to: Blue Star Mothers NY 4, PO Box 162, Westfield, N.Y. 14787.
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Pennies 4 paws campaign under way

February 14, 2013 The OBSERVER

JAMESTOWN –  The Chautauqua County Hu-mane Society has launched its 8th annual Pennies 4 Paws campaign. The campaign encourages county individuals, schools, organizations and businesses to participate by selling paper paws for $1 each and/or displaying a collection container. This year CCHS is hoping to raise 17 million pennies in order to help with the escalating expense of basic care and medical costs for homeless animals in the county.

According to Roxanne Wendling, CCHS Com-munity Relations Director, “We kick off on Lincoln’s Birthday in honor of the penny and conduct the campaign until the end of April. People of all ages and from all walks of life respond very readily and happily participate. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a real difference. One dollar will feed a small dog in our shelter for six days and a large dog for three. Seven dollars can provide a microchip and spay/neuter costs for CCHS start at $35 dollars and go up from there. A pet receives on average about $25 in vaccinations.

For more information on helping with the Pennies 4 Paws campaign, call 665-2209, ext 213 or email to rwendling@spcapets.com.

Merry CHRISTmas To All and a Happy New Year

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HAPPY HANUKKAH to all.

To the American Jewish, our friends the Israeli’s, and all Jewish people around the world, a few of whom our dear friends – Happy Hanukkah to all.

TIS THE SEASON and we encourage all, please help these various local charitable efforts.

Blue Star Mothers seeking donations

This holiday season, tens of thousands of soldiers in the U.S. military are spending Christmas away from their families, some for the first time. The Blue Star Mothers Lake Erie New York Chapter 4 are working to make this season a little less difficult, primarily for soldiers deployed overseas. As they have done in the past, the mothers are working to get care packages together for the soldiers to receive in time for the holidays.

“We are having a collection right now for items,” said Susan Rowley, president. “We are sending Christmas care packages on December 1.” In addition to collecting items, the Blue Star Mothers are also collecting names and addresses of local soldiers who will be deployed this holiday season. “We can only get the addresses from family and friends that have them that would submit them to us,” Rowley said.

HELPING THE CAUSE – Each box the Blue Star Mothers send out will be filled. Because they send flat-rate boxes out, weight is not an issue. However, because of the size of the boxes, to ship each one costs more than $13. The Blue Star Mothers will be accepting monetary donations to help with shipping costs. Money could also be helpful to purchase additional necessary items.

Some of the most necessary items include travel size hand sanitizer; baby wipes; Ziploc bags of all sizes; toothpaste; tissues; eye drops; beef jerky; sunflower seeds; nuts; Little Smokeys sausages; gum; hard candy; paperback books, particularly mystery, fiction, fantasy and non-fiction; magazines, especially sport, outdoor, car, truck audio and electronics; puzzles; games; and video tape television shows, such as CSI, Survivor and football games.

However, because the deployed can have long stretches of down time, other more fun items are also appreciated. ALSO, A no-cost way to help is to simply write a letter or a card to a soldier.

All items may be dropped off at SKF Falconer; Zion Lutheran Church Frews-burg; Trinity United Metho-dist Church Frewsburg; RHJ Elementary school Frewsburg; Frewsburg High School; James Prendergast Library; Fenton Historical Society; Fluvanna Com-munity Church; Lakeside Bible Chapel; Gateway Center; BOCES A building office; BOCES E building office; BOCES Criminal Jus-tice Program; JCC Business Office; Snap Fitness Center at both locations; Gerry United Methodist Church; Bemus Point United Metho-dist Church; County Build-ings in Mayville at the Main entrance in the Gerace Building and HRC Building; District Attorney’s Office in County Courthouse; Pine Valley elementary school; Starbucks in Jamestown; Shults Service Center on Fluvanna ave; The Clip Joint Barber shop on Fluvanna ave; Reid’s Motor Sports on N. Main St Jamestown; Kiantone Congregational Church; Harley Davidson of Jamestown; Frewsburg Le-gion; Neckers Co General Store in Clymer; Bakery and Deli at Fluvanna Avenue Plaza; Westfield American Legion; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mayville; Levant Church; Ag Center; Brocton Hotel; and the ILS Vet-eran’s Club in Jamestown.

Donations will be collected Wednesday and Thurs-day at most locations, but will be accepted at the Kiantone Congregational Church until the boxes are packed Saturday. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Rowley at 569-5334 or by emailing bluestarmothersny4@yahoo.com.

Doing Good

Area Volunteers Begin Red Kettle Campaign

November 26, 2012 By Gavin Paterniti (gpaterniti@post-journal.com) , The Post-Journal

Noah Larson is pictured here standing outside of Wal-Mart on Friday. Noah, along with his mother, Heidi, make volunteering for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign an annual tradition. / Chris Emley and his children, including Alicyn, who was operating a Red Kettle and representing the DeMarco Sisters School of Dance, are pictured inside the Chautauqua Mall on Friday. P-J photos by Gavin Paterniti

LAKEWOOD – The sound of ringing bells fills the air, the red kettles are hanging in front of storefronts and the holiday season is upon us.

Every Christmas season, community members can find the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign in full effect as they go about their shopping. The campaign is an opportunity for people to embrace the spirit of giving through cash donations being placed in each red kettle. The campaign and its donation process are due to a long-standing tradition that, according to the Salvation Army’s website, has extended for more than a century.

The Red Kettle campaign was begun in San Francisco by Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee in 1891. McFee, distraught over so many poor and hungry San Franciscans, resolved to provide Christmas dinners to the destitute and poverty-stricken.

From his time spent as a sailor in Liverpool, England, he recalled people at Stage Landing flinging coins into an iron kettle called “Simpson’s Pot” with the proceeds going to help the poor. McFee set up his own kettle at San Francisco’s Oakland Ferry Landing with a sign reading “Keep the Pot Boiling.” Within six years, the kettle concept had spread to the Boston area on the east coast. Today, McFee’s Red Kettle campaign assists more than 4.5 million people across the U.S. during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

On Friday, many local volunteers took time out of their day to ring those famous bells and kindly accept donations from generous shoppers. Up and down Lakewood’s Fairmount Avenue, several red kettles could be seen by passers-by. According to Marlene, a volunteer in front of Brigiotta’s Farmland Produce, the Red Kettle campaign is a way to give back to the community.

“I (volunteer) because it helps people and (the donated money) all stays in the community,” she said. “People are in need and it’s sad with the economy the way it is. I’ve been doing this for about five years now and on Christmas Eve, my husband and I both do it together. About two years ago, I challenged myself to do it outside and, believe it or not, it’s not too bad. I was here (at Brigiotta’s) one year during a freak blizzard, but it’s worth it.”

For some, volunteering for Red Kettle is part of a family tradition. At Wal-Mart, Heidi Larson and her son, Noah, were running a kettle that was sponsored by Shults Auto Group. “We do this every year because it’s for a good cause,” said Noah. “It has special meaning for us because it helps other people in other ways.” “It’s something we do as a family,” said Heidi. “Usually my other two sons are with us and sometimes they’ll be at one place and we’ll be at another, but it’s something that we do together. It’s an easy way to help out. And people have been very generous, it’s very encouraging.”

Some volunteer through an organization. Chris Emley and his daughter Alicyn were at the Chautauqua Mall representing the DeMarco Sisters School of Dance, of which Alicyn is a member. “The Salvation Army lets (the school of dance) use their big room for cheer and they had a signup for people to give back so we decided to do that,” said Chris. “This is (Alicyn’s) first year in cheer so this is our first year of doing it through them. We’ve been shocked by how generous people are. We’ve been here about 20 minutes and I would say we’ve made about $15 so far.”

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign is now in its 122nd consecutive year. The national goal for this year’s campaign is $3 million. To learn more about the campaign, start a new kettle or to make an online donation, visit: www.onlineredkettle.org.

A Helping Hand

Toys For Tots Distribution Begins; Thousands Of Toys Collected

December 17, 2012 By Eric Tichy (etichy@post-journal.com) , The Post-Journal

Toys for Tots volunteers are pictured Sunday preparing to give away toys collected as part of the 2012 Toys for Tots drive. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

Thousands of children will receive a toy this year thanks to the county’s annual Toys For Tots drive.

In fact, volunteers this year expect more families will benefit from the charitable nonprofit group established and run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves.

“We had a ton of people here to pick up toys,” said Terri Johnson, Toys for Tots coordinator, on Sunday inside the group’s 210 Cherry St. location in the city of Jamestown.

Johnson, who has been volunteering for the last 13 years, said over 2,000 applications for toys had been received this year. However, she expects approximately 500 or more last-second applications early in the week – pushing the annual total just over its average.  More…

Help The Needy Through Charity

November 23, 2012  The Post-Journal

Starting last night and continuing on ito today, many in our area are diving head-first into the Christmas shopping season, after having spent Thanksgiving day reflecting on more blessings than they can count.

But for those who may have spent Thanksgiving without the bounty many of us enjoyed, Black Friday could be just another reminder that the coming holidays won’t be all they would wish for themselves and their families.

At many stores and shopping centers, volunteers at booths, collection kettles or large donation boxes will provide plenty of ways for shoppers to give what may be a little to them – but will mean a lot to the less fortunate. Several organizations and some businesses mount special campaigns to help the needy during the holidays, with everything from toys for the children to delicious holiday meals.

Keep these campaigns in mind over the next few weeks. If you have saved a bundle on gifts for your own friends and family, consider placing some of that extra cash into a Salvation Army red kettle or giving it to another charitable organization.

If an angel-tree type program is available in your area, take a name from it and include that person – perhaps a child – in your Christmas shopping plan. If you find a must-have toy at a great price, buy one or two extras and hand them off to a group dedicated to making youngsters’ holidays bright.

Organizations and businesses all over our area give us a chance, year after year, to help the less fortunate. They make it easy and convenient for us to share the love and kindness that is supposed to define the season.

They’ve done all the hard work, but they can’t complete the job without the smallest of efforts from us. Please help.

Red Cross ready, willing to help

November 25, 2012 The OBSERVER

AP photo A U.S. flag is draped amid rubble left by a fire during Superstorm Sandy at Breezy Point in the Queens borough of New York.

By BILL TUCKER

The American Red Cross has joined with national and state partners to undertake a massive response to Hurricane Sandy, with a mission to prevent further human suffering and to alleviate any suffering that is still occurring.

For the Southwestern New York Chapter this response began the Wednesday prior to the storm, when we began coordinating with local government and community partners to prepare shelters in the event that flooding should occur anywhere in the north, central, or southern parts of our county. We identified 10 standby shelters, alerted our local volunteers, and pre-positioned equipment.

On the night of the storm we opened and staffed a shelter at Silver Creek Central School as the creek began to rise. Local volunteers Charlie Meder, Mary Walker, Patty Hartinger, Jeanie Shiffer, and Fran Heath were on hand throughout the night to provide shelter, food, and other support to anyone who might need it. Fortunately, no evacuations were required and, locally at least, we began to breathe a sigh of relief.

By the next day, however, we had begun to see the impact of this storm on the coast.  The mobilization and deployment of our volunteers, which had begun before the storm, kicked into high gear again. Our local and regional Chapter organizations worked tirelessly to move over 30 volunteers from Western New York (11 from right here in SWNY) to the affected areas.  I was one of those who volunteered to help, and was immediately told to depart for the Greater New York area.

By the afternoon of Nov. 1, I found myself hard at work in a shelter in Deer Park, Long Island, where we had over 120 clients residing. I spent six days there, and then moved with our clients and staff to a larger shelter about 20 miles away.

This shelter now has nearly 200 clients and the staff members required to support them, and we are also providing meals, snacks, water and other drinks, health services, and mental health services to those affected, many of whom have lost everything.

The stories our clients tell are all different, yet in some ways they are all the same. They all involve loss; in some cases the loss of cherished routines and a sense of security, in others the loss of all material possessions and any sense of connection to the community, or even to the world.

The best thing that we as Red Cross volunteers do is listen to people, hear their stories, talk to them, provide what additional support we can, and in the end, just lend a shoulder to lean on.

Getting supplies, meals, and water to those affected by this storm is the top priority, and the numbers tell an amazing story about this effort.

As of Nov. 8 we have deployed 5,800 trained Red Cross disaster responders to operations from Virginia to Rhode Island, with the majority in Greater New York and New Jersey. We have provided more than 61,000 overnight stays in more than 250 shelters, served over 3.3 million meals and snacks, and distributed more than 124,000 clean-up kits and hygiene kits. Your help is urgently needed to ensure we can continue our relief efforts. If you can, I ask that you do just two things:

Donate money to your local Chapter (325 E. Fourth St., Jamestown, NY 14701), or to www.redcross.org or to 1-800-redcross, or text the word “redcross” to 90999.  Your money will support our disaster relief operations, both locally and during national response events.

Donate blood.  Hurricane Sandy has caused the cancellation of hundreds of blood drives throughout the northeast, and this has had an impact on our national blood supply. Whether it is here in Chautauqua County, at your grandchild’s college in the Midwest, or at your favorite vacation spot in the South, you never know when you may need Red Cross blood should you or your loved ones encounter a medical emergency.

Help us keep the nation’s blood supply at the required levels by donating today.  To find the nearest blood drive, please call us at 664-5115, or go to www.redcross.org and click on “give blood.”

Bill Tucker is the executive director of the American Red Cross of Southwestern New York, a trained Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteer, and a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) instructor. He deployed to the Greater New York area on Oct. 31 as part of the Hurricane Sandy relief effort.

A wonderful example, Bless their hearts, thankful for A Giving Family

 T.K. Ribbing’s Hosts Annual Thanksgiving Celebration

November 23, 2012 By Dusten Rader (drader@post-journal.com) , The Post-Journal

Area residents and volunteers join Steve Ribbing, owner of T.K. Ribbing’s Family Restaurant in Falconer, in a moment of prayer before serving Thanksgiving meals. P-J photo by Dusten Rader

For the past 17 years T.K. Ribbing’s Family Restaurant in Falconer has brought friends and family together to celebrate a Thanksgiving tradition of fellowship and full bellies.

Area residents gathered at T.K. Ribbing’s Family Restaurant on Thursday to enjoy a full Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings. The event is hosted each year by Steve Ribbing, owner, his wife Kay, and volunteers from all over the Chautauqua County community.

T.K. Ribbing’s Family Restaurant is located at 153 W. Main St. in Falconer. For more information call 665-3474 or email tkribbings@hotmail.com.

(Click heading to read the full article)

PUBLIC ALERT: County Clerk Petitions against Costly and wasteful State Driver’s License Upgrade

(Check out your license folks, they are quite secure as they are, this is wrong headed on the part of the State, and certainly this does nothing for the NYS economy by the way, $38 million of additional state spending – going to Canada!)

A License To Waste?

County Clerk Petitions Costly State Driver’s License Upgrade

November 25, 2012 By Liz Skoczylas (lskoczylas@post-journal.com) , The Post-Journal

MAYVILLE – A state decision to upgrade driver’s licenses for $88.5 million has county officials talking.

Recently, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles awarded a contract to the highest bidder – CBN Secure Technologies, a Canadian company – to produce new driver’s licenses. The bid is $38 million more than the second-highest bidder.

The reasoning behind this, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office, is that the new licenses will be black-and-white photos that will safeguard against terrorists and identity thieves.

“The selected bid is a solid polycarbonate card impervious to alteration and it costs a little more per card,” said Howard Glaser, Cuomo’s director of state operations.

A petition drive throughout Chautauqua County has been initiated by Sandy Sopak, county clerk, to protest the bid.

“As soon as news broke, Chautauqua County residents expressed their outrage at what appears to be an exorbitant waste of taxpayer money. If there’s a legitimate reason for this award, the state hasn’t shared it with us,” Sopak said.

To give Chautauqua County residents a voice, the county clerk’s office is making petitions available throughout the county at each of the three DMV offices, as well as the office of the county clerk.

The bid is being reviewed by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, following formal protests and a lawsuit by the apparent losing bidders.

“According to the AP news report, the state comptroller’s office is reviewing the bid award and must make a determination before the award can be approved,” said Tracie Kaminski Haskin, deputy county clerk. “We don’t know how long that may take, so we are urging residents who oppose this award to visit one of our DMV offices in Jamestown, Mayville or Dunkirk and sign the petition as soon as possible.”

The county clerk’s office would like to get as many signatures to state representatives as possible, to ensure that the voice of the people is heard.

“Anyone unable to get to one of the offices may email me at haskint@co.chautauqua.ny.us their name and city of residence and it will be added to the list,” Kaminski Haskin said.

The driver’s license contract is part of the federal “Real ID” measure from the Department of Homeland Security to make licenses more secure. More states are expected to face similar contract decisions.

Additional information on the bid award can be found on the county clerk’s website at www.co.chautauqua.ny.us/departments/clerk.

VETERANS DAY Round Up (We give thanks and We salute you)

Veterans Day 2012 – “The 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month”

On Memorial Day each year we remember, and of course memorialize our fallen countrymen and women, on Veterans Day however we celebrate and give thanks to those who are still with us. For all those who have survived, as the smallest of measures, we directly give them thanks for their service, their sacrifices, and we should as well to all their families.

      Millions of Patriots — American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen — have, for generations honored their oath to “support and defend” our the Liberty enshrined in our Constitution. Today, we formally honor them. We remain the proud and the free because they have stood bravely in harm’s way, and millions remain on post today. For this, we, the American People, offer our heartfelt thanks.

Today is Veterans Day. Make sure and thank a Vet.

Also, don’t miss Mark Alexander’s 2011 essay, The Most Noble of American Patriots.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12-14)

“Mighty men of valor, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear, and whose faces were like the faces of lions.” (1 Chronicles 12:8)

American Patriot: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

“Duty, honor, country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.” –Gen. Douglas MacArthur

Millions of Patriots — American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen — have, for generations honored their oath to “support and defend” our the Liberty enshrined in our Constitution. Today, we formally honor them. We remain the proud and the free because they have stood bravely in harm’s way, and millions remain on post today. For this, we, the American People, offer our heartfelt thanks.

“War is an ugly thing but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feelings which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.” –John Stuart Mill

“[I]n our hearts you will always be young, full of the love that is youth — love of life, love of joy, love of country. You fought for your country and for its safety and for the freedom of others with strength and courage. We love you for it. We honor you. And we have faith that, as He does all His sacred children, the Lord will bless you and keep you, the Lord will make His face to shine upon you and give you peace, now and forevermore.” –Ronald Reagan, handwritten note left at the Vietnam Veterans memorial, Veterans Day, November 11, 1988

Post-Journal

Honor Veterans From The HeartNovember 11, 2012 Among our friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members are men and women to whom we owe heartfelt gratitude today. more »»Wall Of Honor

November 13, 2012 CLYMER — Veterans, you are not forgotten. more »»

JCC Veterans Committee Hosts Ceremony

• NYC Recognizes Area National Guard Soldiers

Salute To Their ServiceNovember 12, 2012

Remembering veterans on Veterans Day is nice.   For Clyde Card, more needs to be done to help new veterans as they return home from abroad.   Card’s remarks came after a pair of Veterans Day remembrances Sunday in Jamestown.   At 10 a.m.

Called To ServeNovember 11, 2012

A local soldier is staying informed on his hometown from deployment abroad.  Chris Berry, captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, has been in constant contact with his family, sending several pictures and updates on a monthly basis.

Retired Soldier From Randolph ReflectsNovember 11, 2012

Twenty-two years, two months and one day ago (Aug. 25, 2012), I graduated from Randolph Central High School (Class of 1990) and two hours later I was at the Buffalo MEPS leaving for Army Basic Training.

Dunkirk Observer

Collins dedicates flag to Hackemer

November 13, 2012 COLLINS — There will be a permanent dedication to the late Staff Sgt. James Hackemer, who was from the town of Collins, in the town park. The town dedicated a flagpole in Hackemer’s honor Monday. more »»

Salute those who served

Remembering our veterans

Veterans salutedNovember 12, 2012

BROCTON – On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the Chautauqua County American Legion honored all veterans past and present with a ceremony commemorating Veterans Day. County Vice Commander Craig Sutton, Post 62 Dunkirk, led the ceremony.

Monument to veterans unveiled in GowandaNovember 12, 2012

GOWANDA – The village of Gowanda, with help from the American Legion Post 409 and the VFW Post 5007, honored veterans on Veterans Day with the unveiling of a monument.

Sgt. Gollnitz  honored in Niagara Falls

November 11, 2012 OBSERVER Staff Report NIAGARA FALLS — A Fredonia soldier who lost his life in combat is being remembered by the military. more »»

In honor and memory

Anthony Zanghi, U.S. Army combat engineerNovember 4, 2012 After leaving Harmon General Hospital in Texas, Anthony Zanghi was transferred back to Fort Dix, New Jersey.  On Dec. more »»

PUBLIC ALERT: Help for Hurricane Sandy Survivors

Hurricane Sandy Fund underway with “The Empire State Relief Fund”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the creation of the Empire State Relief Fund at his Friday briefing on the state’s response to the storm. The fund will focus on distributing money to help rebuild homes or provide long-term housing, Cuomo said.

Contributions can be made to the Empire State Relief Fund by visiting its newly launched website. A $10 donation can be made by texting “RELIEF” (735433) to 80000, according to Cuomo’s office.

“The Empire State Relief Fund will be dedicated to helping them rebuild their homes throughout the affected regions of the state for the long-term, bridging the gap between what the government and private insurance can do and what New Yorkers will ultimately need to rebuild their lives,” Cuomo said in a statement..

OR

The American National Red Cross is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to the American National Red Cross are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Red Cross’ tax identification number is 53-0196605.

and Local Ways to Help and recognizing those they are:

Highs and lows: Best – November 10, 2012 The OBSERVER

AIDING SANDY VICTIMS – A number of community groups are coming together to collect donations that will be shipped to New York City and New Jersey to help aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Donations can accepted at the following local spots: Knights of Columbus Hall, 302 Lynx St., Dunkirk on Friday Nov. 16 from 3-7 p.m.; St. Joseph’s RC Church, 26 Erie Ave., Gowanda on Sunday, Nov. 18 from 3-6 p.m.; and St. James RC Church, 27 Allen St., Jamestown Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last pick-up day Nov. 16). Donations sought include non-perishable food items, diapers, handiwipes and feminine products (bring in boxes if possible). Groups involved in the collection include Chautauqua County 4-H, the Regional Knights of Columbus Council and the Permanent Deacons of the Diocese of Buffalo.

FIREFIGHTERS AIDING FIREFIGHTERS – On Thursday, two county firefighters left for New York City with a 16-foot cube truck with supplies to help aid fire departments affected by Hurricane Sandy. Among the items donated include 75 sets of turnout gear, gurney pads, water rescue gear, chainsaws, 100 pairs of work gloves, jumpsuits and a plethora of medical gear.

POST ELECTION: Chaut Co made wise choices, Congrats to Reed, Goodell, Ward, and Young

Goodell wins 150th Assembly race

November 7, 2012 With more than 61 percent of the vote, Andy Goodell, R-C-I Chautauqua County, is going back to Albany On Tuesday, Goodell defeated Dr. more »»

Ward re-elected as county judge

November 7, 2012 The votes are in, and the people have elected Judge John Ward as Chautauqua County Court Judge. The Republican incumbent received 63 percent. more »»

State Senator Cathy Young was returned to continue her good work in Albany after winning re-election (unchallenged -see why “Vote Cathy Young”)

Freshman Congressman Tom Reed re-elected to a 2nd term.

Congressman Reed carried Chautauqua County (the 1 county in which he was not an incumbant) by over 2000 votes, and won all but 1 county (Tompkins, a democrat stronghold from which his opponent hailed) of the 11 he represents.

Reed participates in county chamber forum

November 10, 2012 By DUSTEN RADER – The OBSERVER

JAMESTOWN – Residents of Chautauqua County were invited to meet their new choice for the House of Representatives on Friday.

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce held its federal congressional luncheon Friday with recently elected Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Reed of the new 23rd congressional district seat at Moon Brook Country Club in Jamestown.

“I appreciate the support because we had a great turnout here in Chautauqua County,” said Reed. “That’s why we wanted to come over here immediately after the election to send the message that it’s not just about showing up during the campaign, but also showing up once you’re in the office. Chautauqua County is a critical component of Western New York, and we’re going to make sure that we’re here and doing the work.”

More…

Election 2012: How the region voted

Voter turnout in Chautauqua County has increased since the 2008 Presidential Election, but voter enrollment has declined in those four years.

Additionally, following Tuesday’s election, it appears voters are not sticking to party lines. New York state voter enrollment forms show a total of 27,220 registered Democratic voters in the county, and 26,133 registered Republican voters. There are also 4,674 registered Independent; 1,978 Conservative; and 433 registered Working Families.

Despite these numbers, the county overwhelmingly voted Republican on Tuesday…

County votes higher for Romney – November 7, 2012 While President Barack Obama won the national election, Chautauqua County voters turned out for Mitt Romney by about 9 percent more of the total vot…

Obama wins were smaller in 2012 – Cities of Dunkirk, Jamestown, …

WNY Family Mourns For Soldier Killed in Afghanistan

Nov 7, 2012 Written by Ron Plants

• FILED UNDER Hero Central COMMUNITIES East Aurora

The family of 27 year old Army Specialist Brett Gornewicz is still waiting for the military to release his body so their soldier-son can be laid to rest here in Western New York. They were there at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware when his body arrived back in this country earlier this week.

The Army reservist from Alden and two other soldiers were killed Saturday when their armored vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.

His sister Cassandra Cranston tells 2 on Your Side that her brother was a selfless man who always put others before his needs. In fact he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor.

Cranston says her brother never complained or talked that much about what he experienced in Iraq or Afghanistan but he believed in what he was doing. She says he did express the opinion that it was more dangerous in Afghanistan.

Gornewicz had the very dangerous assignment of combat engineer and he and others in his unit would often clear roads of IEDs to help save the lives of other soldiers.

Gornewicz was an Alden High School and SUNY graduate with an engineering degree and he hoped to start a new life with his girlfriend Nicole in North Carolina when his deployment was over.

Details for the funeral are still being worked out but it will probably take place sometime next week. We will have details and provide coverage depending on the wishes of the family.

WGRZ (VIDEO) http://www.wgrz.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=1954476470001

TUES NOV 6th: “Vote Mitt Romney”

Dear fellow New Yorker’s, friends in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and all Americans across our great Nation,

We believe in America and hope you do as well. In 4 days there is only one clear choice to get America back on track and right the path of our great national ship that has blown so far off course over these last 4 years. We believe that Mitt Romney can do this, not because he’s “the one” – a kind of messiah or savior, a rock star or some worldly celebrity, or any other delusional or shallow attribute, but because he is a real leader and a true statesman. Mitt Romney as a former Governor understands not only what Washington DC must properly do, but also what it must not. He understands how government should work and first and foremost that any policy of such must be grounded in certain rock solid principles, those that made us what we are, those found in our Constitution. He understands as a successful businessman how and why our laissez faire system of free market capitalism works, works best, and how to promote it in such a way, as well as get out of its way, so that is creates jobs, prosperity, and the revenues that government needs to carry out it essential and proper functions. He understands as the former Commander-in-Chief of his state, how to be such for his Nation, and that we must regain our footing in the world as a leader, as a beacon of liberty, and that we must keep our nation safe and stand by our friends, with a policy of peace through strength. He also understands as a successful man how to pay it forward, has been very generous throughout his life, and understands that government cannot force charity, nor should promote dependency, and that the best way for a community to take of itself is through its’ individuals achievement, responsibility, and choice, not by having their hand out to Washington DC. Finally, Mitt Romney is a man of integrity, is humble, pious, and devout in his beliefs of life, liberty, and our rights that come from our creator, not from man, and not from government. He can and he will use these traits to bring our nation back together and lead us into the future in the spirit of another great leader who once said, “You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man’s age-old dream–the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order — or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism. Regardless of their sincerity, their humanitarian motives, those who would sacrifice freedom for security have embarked on this downward path. Plutarch warned, “The real destroyer of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and benefits.”

Fellow Americans we are on that downward path, but we believe in the upward one, and we are confident that Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, their families, and enough of yours, believe so as well. Together this election day, we pray, we can get back on this upward path by making the change we truly need. With our heart and soul, and of sound mind – may Mitt Romney be the next President of these United States of America and may our next generations be as blessed with freedom as we were.

Real Change From Day One – Mitt’s Closing Argument

(For Obama 4 More Days – Not 4 more years. The only hope now is that we get the real change needed but never delivered, and no more of those changes we did get, that only made matters worse!)

“President Obama promised change, but he could not deliver it. I promise change, and I have a record of achieving it. This is why I am running for president. I know how to change the course the nation is on, how to get us to a balanced budget and how to build jobs and rising take-home pay. Accomplishing real change is not something I just talk about–it is something I have done. And it is what will do when I am President of the United States.

If you believe we can do better, if you believe America should be on a better course, if you are tired of being tired, then I ask you to vote for real change. Paul Ryan and I will bring real change to America, from Day One.”  –  Mitt Romney