President & CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce & Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier
Chautauqua County's largest employee union is making an attempt to negotiate a deal with County Government that would keep the County Home operated as a taxpayer subsidized entity. No matter what the union puts on the table it does not change the fact that the home will need to continue to be subsidized by the tax payer. Regardless of the contents of the Civil Service Employees Association proposal, this does not change the fact that the home would continue to operate with its 'arms tied behind its back'. There are a variety of restrictions placed on County-run nursing homes by the New York State Department of Health. For example County homes are prohibited from offering assisted living and independent living care. These care options are more profitable than skilled nursing. There are examples right here in Chautauqua County where privately owned operations have blended skilled nursing care with a mix of assisted living and independent living options and have been profitable. These facilities continue to serve Medicaid clients while growing their campuses and creating new job opportunities. The state of New York will not allow county governments to diversify their services like these private operators.
In addition, the Legislature already approved a measure which called for the County Executive to continue negotiating with a potential buyer for the County Home. If lawmakers truly don't intend to sell the facility, then that is a needless waste of taxpayer dollars and requires the County Executive to do a lot of work for nothing.
The Chamber of Commerce and the Manufacturers Association are squarely in favor of honest change in local governments that will help to reduce taxes and improve the business climate and quality of life here in Chautauqua County. Real, substantive change is necessary, and the sale of the County Home is one step in the right direction.
We are asking County residents to continue contacting their County legislators about this issue. The next vote on the County Home should be a vote to sell it. Call or email your County Legislator on this issue.
Celebrate the season with your Chamber of Commerce
Celebrate the holiday season with the Chamber of Commerce annual Holiday Networking Mixer! This event brings together Chamber members from around the county for an opportunity to network while enjoying this festive season.
This year's Holiday Mixer will be held at the Clarion, 30 Lake Shore Dr. E, Dunkirk on Thursday, Dec. 20 from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. It is being sponsored by Chadwick Bay Broadcasting WDOE/KIX96, DFT Communications, Jamestown Jammers, Lake Erie Regional Health System of New York, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal and WL Putnam Agency.
The cost is just $8 per person for preregistered guests or $10 at the door. To register, you can call the Chamber at 366-6200 or 484-1101, or register online at www.chautauquachamber.org.
Chamber gift checks support our local economy
In order to encourage shopping locally, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce offers a Shop Chautauqua County Gift Check program. So far this holiday season, the Chamber has sold about $50,000 worth of Shop Chautauqua County Gift Checks. This is a tremendous boon to our local economy!
Gift checks are available in $10, $15 and $25 increments and can be redeemed at over 80 participating Chamber member restaurants, retailers, salons and more throughout the county. Gift Checks are available only at the Chamber offices at 10785 Bennett Road, Dunkirk or 512 Falconer St., Jamestown.
If you need a large order please call ahead so that checks can be prepared for you. For more information call the Chamber at 484-1101 or 366-6200 or visit our website at www.chautauquachamber.org.
Dunkirk Community Chamber annual meeting Jan. 16
The Dunkirk Community Chamber of Commerce Annual Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at the Clarion Hotel, 30 Lake Shore Dr. E. The event will be held in the Bayside Ballroom from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 each for this event.
You can register now by calling the Chamber office in Dunkirk at 366-6200 or by visiting the events calendar on the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce website at www.chautauquachamber.org.
