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WJTN Headlines

A Chautauqua County man will be among several candidates who want to take a shot at running against incumbant Republican Congressman Tom Reed in 2018. 

 

Eddie Sunquist of Jamestown has announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination and, says he's excited about running.  Sundquist says he came back to the area and, felt the region was the "land that time forgot, here." 

 

He says we've been given promises by current Congressman Tom Reed that "were never kept."  Sundquist is a practicing attorney with offices in Jamestown and Olean.  He says among the major issues in the campaign, agriculture, the environment and health care. 

 

Sundquist says there are a lot of people in the district who are low-to middle income, or on Medicaid, and can't affort health coverage otherwise.  Sundquist says he will embark on a listening tour, visiting all 11 counties in the district and, he wants to hear about "real issues" from the people of the region.

The chairman of the Chautauqua County Democratic Committee says he's excited about the announcement of Eddie Sundquist running for Congress.  Chairman Norm Green says the Jamestown man has a lot of energy and is eager to run.  He says Sundquist has a "campaign staff that's already up and running."  He says the 28 year-old is "young Bobby Kennedy" like.  Green says Sundquist is beginning his campaign early because it takes time to raise the $2 to $3 million that is necessary to run for Congress.


It was a night of "firsts" at Chautauqua Institution last night as the nearly 300 members of the Jamestown High School Class of 2017 got their diploma's during the annual graduation. 

 

It was the first event to be held in the new Chautauqua Amphitheater.  That fact was not lost on many of the speakers during JHS Commencement starting with Principal Mike McElrath who asked the graduates to "think about it" because the Amp is built to last the next 100 years.  He called that "quite a first." 

 

Commencement Speaker Chris Olsen a member of the JHS Class of 1982 also told graduates that they were now "a part of history" at the institution.  Olsen urged them to embrace their legacy and do great things like many of the people who have appeared at Chautauqua and, who came from Jamestown. 

 

He says he's gotten to know many members of the Class of 2017 and, he likes their future and, made one prediction:  One of them will be there in 35 years, and addressing the Class of 2052.  Olsen says the graduates that everything they "need to know to succeed in life" they learned in Jamestown" including the values of hard work and persevering.



The lawyer for a Buffalo school board member who publicly insulted former President Barack Obama and his wife says a state Education Department hearing for the lawyer's client is "all a charade." 

 

Dennis Vacco says the hearing Thursday in Albany is "a subterfuge to get at Carl Paladino in retaliation for his intemperate remarks" in a Buffalo alternative weekly last December.  Vacco is a former New York attorney general. He says the derogatory remarks Paladino submitted to Buffalo's Artvoice were "low and unfortunate," but nonetheless constitutionally protected. 

 

The hearing is being held to determine whether Paladino disclosed confidential school board business when he released information on teacher contract negotiations.


Republicans in the U-S Senate finally revealed details about their health care plan but, many are saying it has a tough road ahead. 

 

The measure dismantles much of former President Obama's health care law.  It would cut Medicaid, and erase tax boosts that Obama imposed on high-earners and medical companies to finance expanded coverage. 

 

Local Congressman Tom Reed says the Senate needs to take action because the current system is not working for many Americans because many of the ObamaCare exchanges are collapsing.  Reed says he has yet to have anyone at his Town Hall meetings say the Affordable Care Act is working "perfectly" and, solving their problems. 

 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is reportedly pushing for a vote on health care next week.  However some Senate Republicans still have concerns.  House Republicans passed a plan earlier this year.


Two more big names have been added to the line-up of comedy in Jamestown and Chautauqua Institution the week of July 31st through August 6th. 

 

That from National Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson who says Lisa Lampanelli will appear on Satuday night, August 5th, at 9 PM at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.  Gunderson tells us Lampanelli is a contemporary star referred to as the "Queen of Mean" who is a cross between Don Rickles and Archie Bunker. 

 

In fact Gunderson says Howard Stern says Lampanelli is a "true original" who steals the show each time.  The other name added will be part of the week on Comedy at Chautauqua Institution.  Gunderson says W. Kamau Bell is well known on CNN. 

 

Bell, who is a stand-up comedian also hosts the program "United Shades of America" program which is an emmy nominated show.  Gunderson says tickets are on sale now for Bell's appearance at Chautauqua but, tickets for Lisa Lampanelli don't go on sale until next week. 

 

She says National Comedy Center members will be able to buy them Tuesday on-line at www.LucyComedyFest.com and, the general public will get their crack at tickets a week from Thursday.  You can also call the Comedy Center at 484-0800.