Caflisch Vows to Block Sale
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A-1 SAT, OCT 15, Post-Journal 10/15/05 12:03 AM Page A1 Now Playing Review On Pg. B-7 The Post-Journal VOL. 179 NO. 116 SATURDAY OCTOBER 15, 2005 Caflisch Vows To Block Sale Says He Has Support In County Legislature By NATE DOUGHERTY think there should be some kind of investigation,’’ If he can help it, Jim Caflisch will block the sale Caflisch said. ‘‘Maybe the attorney general should of Midway Park. look into the transaction to see how this is pulled The Chautauqua County Legislature’s Minority off.’’ Leader said there is no justification for the state’s He said he was concerned a motion from the purchase of the amusement park to make it into a Cattaraugus County Legislature urging the state to state park. Aside from ‘‘fleecing’’ taxpayers, preserve the park influenced the purchase. Accord- Caflisch said he believes the deal is the result of the ing to Caflisch, the property had the interest of pri- influence of the Cattaraugus County Legislature. vate developers which would be able to invest mil- Chautauqua County Legislature Minority Leader Jim Caflisch wants to block the sale ‘‘I plan to introduce a motion to the legislature to lions into the land. of Midway Park to New York state, which in turn wants to make the site a state park. ask the state to reconsider this purchase, and I also See BLOCK SALE on Page A-3 JPS To Inform Public About PLAYHOUSE PREMIER Phase III Project Lucie Arnaz By DENNIS PHILLIPS Jamestown Public School District administrators On Hand As have been getting the word out about the Phase III project vote to be held Oct. 25. District administrators have discussed project information during board meetings, sent two newsletters to city residents with access to the Center Opens newsletter on their Web site, www.jamestownpublic- schools.org, and discussed the project with media By LOREN KENT outlets numerous times that will include a whole The Jamestown High School A Cappella page on the project to run Sunday and an editorial by Choir sang out the I Love Lucy theme as Raymond Fashano to run Oct. 23 in The Post-Jour- Lucie Arnaz welcomed celebrities, citizens nal. and public officials to the grand opening of If all that wasn’t enough, the district will also hold the Rapaport Center — home to the Desilu a public meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Persell Playhouse downtown. Middle School that will include an overview of why A gift to the Lucy-Desi Center from Bill the project is being done, how and what will be con- and Mary Rapaport, the Desilu Playhouse is structed and how it will be financed. home to the production sets and memorabil- ‘‘This is a good time to get all the information on ia from America’s most famous television the project at one time,’’ said Raymond Fashano, comedy program which starred Jamestown superintendent. ‘‘Hopefully, after the Jamestown/Celoron native daughter, Lucille public hearing, the public will have enough informa- Ball, and her Cuban band-leader husband, tion to make an intelligent decision.’’ Desi Arnaz. Fashano said the public hearing will be informa- ‘‘Look at what we accomplished in only tive to those who haven’t followed the project’s one year,’’ Ms. Arnaz exclaimed. ‘‘The development. However, the meeting will mostly be Above, members of the Jamestown High School Choir entertain guests at the Grand Center’s vision is to celebrate the lives of for those who have questions about the project. Opening of the Desilu Playhouse on Friday. Below, Lucille Arnaz, daughter of Lucille Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and enrich the See PHASE III PROJECT on Page A-3 Ball and Desi Arnaz, looks on as Bill and Mary Rapaport officially open the Desilu world through the healing power of laugh- Playhouse. ter.’’ P-J photos by Loren Kent With the assistance of the Rapaports, Ms. Arnaz cut the ceremonial ribbon marking the beginning of a future of comedy and County Could Queen Of Comedy’s Daughter Presents laughter in downtown Jamestown — a future built on the legacy of Lucille Ball. ‘‘Laughter is therapy for people who are Donations To Celoron, Local Red Cross going through difficult times,’’ Ms. Arnaz Develop More said. ‘‘Laughter is food for the soul.’’ By LOREN KENT The idea stayed with Ms. Bill Rapaport said his hope is that the Her father and grandfather INSIDE Arnaz, and on Friday she pre- Desilu Playhouse and the Lucy-Desi Center came to America from Cuba dur- sented a check in the amount of will play an important role in the economic Preschool Programs ing the turbulent era of revolu- ∫ Critical Eye $20,000 to Celoron Mayor Tom revitalization of Jamestown and Chautauqua tion that brought millions of on Desilu Bartolo. By DENNIS PHILLIPS County. Cubans to Miami in the 1940s Playhouse ‘‘My brother (Desi Arnaz, Jr.) Mayor Sam Teresi welcomed Ms. Arnaz Less than a third of 4-year-olds in the state attend and 50s — and every decade Opening, and I have a rainy-day fund. It’s preschool programs. back to the city and hailed the opening of since. Page C-7 part of Desilu-2, and it helps us the Desilu Playhouse as a bright new star in The state Regents Board would like this to ‘‘They started again in Miami fund our pet projects,’’ Ms. increase to about two-thirds. the downtown community of businesses and after loosing their homes and Arnaz said. ‘‘This donation organizations. Last week, the Regents Board released their propos- jobs and businesses in minutes. My today is made on behalf of my brother and See CENTER on Page A-3 al for state funding aid and called for $99 million more grandfather was mayor of a small Cuban me.’’ for pre-kindergarten programs throughout the state. town and part of the regime that was Ms. Arnaz explained that her father The Legislature and Gov. George Pataki don’t usually being thrown out,’’ said Lucie Arnaz, would be proud to have a band shell accept proposals education officials put forward, but daughter of television icons Lucille Ball named in his honor. Desi Arnaz Sr. was use them as a jumping-off point for negotiations that and Desi Arnaz. ‘‘They came to Miami well known as a ‘‘Cuban’’ bandleader and will continue into the spring. If the additional funding with nothing and built much of what we off-the-cuff comedian. would be included in the state’s budget, not only would have come to know today.’’ ‘‘He and my mother carried on through this help enrollment for school districts that have pre- On a recent visit to Celoron, a pilgrim- some very tough times when all they had school programs, but it would also give school districts age to her mother’s childhood home, Ms. was laughter,’’ Ms. Arnaz said. ‘‘With a chance to start new programs for 4-year-olds. Arnaz took part in a casual conversation this donation we are continuing that spirit. ‘‘I know if it (pre-school) was funded (by the state) with village of Celoron officials and resi- We are going to keep trying and succeed- we would provide it,’’ said Jane Fosberg, Falconer dents. During the conversation a local res- ing with music and laughter.’’ Central School District superintendent. ‘‘We have a ident mentioned that local leaders hoped Ms. Arnaz also presented a $20,000 strong belief that it gives a great educational founda- to build a band shell in the village park donation to Jamestown American Red tion to a student before they enter kindergarten.’’ — and they asked: wouldn’t it be neat to Cross Director Vince Horrigan. See PRESCHOOL on Page A-3 call it the Desi Arnaz band shell? See DONATIONS on Page A-3 Social Security Checks: Biggest Increase In 15 Years WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s no lottery million beneficiaries would increase 4.1 jackpot, but seniors say the extra $39 a percent in January. That’s the biggest month in Social Security benefits they’ll ‘‘The extra jump since a 5.4 percent gain in 1991. start getting in January is a welcome addi- Last year’s increase was 2.7 percent. tion. money will be The average Social Security check will ‘‘When you’re on a fixed income, that increase from $963 to $1,002 in January. kind of makes a difference. It will help Rising energy prices, including a pay for the gas,’’ said 75-year-old Grace spent, that’s for record-breaking surge in September, were Bryan of Monroe, Ind. She had already the driving force behind the big cost of liv- dropped out of an exercise class to save sure.’’ ing increase, which is based on changes in money for fuel. — Dean Swafford, the government’s Consumer Price Index. ‘‘It’s something. It’s going to pay for retired farmer from Rayville, Mo. The inflation figure rose 1.2 percent in probably the telephone bill,’’ said Murray September, the biggest monthly increase Levine, 86, as he maneuvered a shopping The Social Security Administration in a quarter-century, mostly because of a carrier full of groceries in downtown announced Friday that their cost of living huge hurricane-linked rise in energy costs. Philadelphia. adjustment, or COLA, for more than 50 See SOCIAL SECURITY on Page A-3 Single copy, 50 cents QUESTION OF THE DAY A – LOCAL C – SATURDAY Subscribe to Today’s Thought Deaths A-2 Recipes C-2 The Post-Journal Do you think the county should “We used to do things by calling Opinion A-4 Nature C-4 487-1222 attempt to block the state’s for posterity, now we do Nation/World A-5 Critical Eye C-7 things for ourselves and purchase of Midway Park? B – SPORTS D – CLASSIFIED Chance of leave the bill to posterity.” To give your answer, go to Comics B-6 Classified D4-D8 Rain, 60˚ http://www.post-journal.com — Anonymous TV Listings B-7 Forecast, Page A-7 A-2 SAT, OCT 15, Post-Journal 10/15/05 12:03 AM Page 1 A-2 THE POST-JOURNAL, Jamestown, New York — Saturday, October 15, 2005 OBITUARIES Harvest Dinner Tonight Co-chairmen Margaret and Ed Mifsud prepare for St.