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OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon
Pictured are members of the Chautauqua County Legislature.
MAYVILLE — Chautauqua County Republican officials are adopting the mantra that it is better to be “over-prepared and underwhelmed” than “under-prepared and overwhelmed” when it comes to the upcoming eclipse.
During Wednesday’s county Legislature meeting, lawmakers voted 13-5 to spend $194,350 from its reserves on supplies and equipment for the April 8 total solar eclipse. All five county Democratic legislators voted against the spending.
The money allows for the purchase of computer software, a portable cell tower on wheels, two message sign trailers, and medical supplies.
During a committee meeting last week, Emergency Services Director Noel Guttman said he wanted the equipment and supplies to prepare for the possibility of 50,000 to 250,000 visitors in Chautauqua County during the solar eclipse event.
“Our research has shown that our county is going to be greatly impacted by tourism, population, travel, and transportation issues,” he said.
He believes that the county would be better prepared with these purchases. “The very nature of Emergency Services is to plan for and identify things that might happen. In that planning, I’ve identified some things that I would like to purchase to be able to help mitigate some situations that could come up,” he said.
Guttman added that the equipment and the supplies would be used following April 8.
During Wednesday night’s discussion, Legislator David Wilfong, R-Jamestown, expressed his support for the resolution.
“I believe we should recognize Noel Guttman for his expertise and what he needs and that we should give him what he’s asking for, because what happens if we do have a problem? Hopefully we will not, but it’s very important that we actually take pride in our county and ensure everybody is safe,” he said.
Legislator Tom Nelson, D-Jamestown, disagreed with the request.
“I oppose this resolution. I feel the eclipse will be a significant event. We’ll see a bump in tourism. We will see additional traffic in the county but I don’t think it warrants this additional spending,” he said.
Susan Parker, D-Fredonia, expressed concerns if the county would be able to get the electronic sign trailers in time. “They are not absolutely, in my opinion, necessary. We have two already,” she said.
The money is coming from the county’s reserves. Last fall, Democrats asked $1 million of those reserve funds be used to lower property taxes, but that proposal was rejected. Parker brought up that proposal again Wednesday night. “This close to $200,000 in unassigned fund balance is 20% of the million dollars we asked to be given back to the residents of Chautauqua County, and so I cannot support this,” she said.
Legislator Terry Niebel, R-Sheridan, proposed the money come from the 3% occupancy tax funds. That money is generated from hotels, motels and short-term rentals from residents who visit the county.
During discussion last week, county attorney Patrick Slagle advised not to use that money, warning that the state could object to using that funds and could potentially penalize the county.
Still, Niebel insisted it could be used. He read a portion of the application process for the occupancy tax.
Niebel then made a motion to use occupancy tax funds for the request, but it failed, with only five of the 18 legislators present voting in favor. Along with Niebel, the other four were Legislators Bob Bankoski, D-Dunkirk; Marcus Buchanan, D-Dunkirk; Fred Larson, D-Jamestown; and Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia.
After Niebel’s request was rejected, he said he would still support the resolution.
“If Emergency Services think this equipment is necessary for the eclipse, I will support it,” he said.
During the vote, all 13 Republican legislators present voted in favor. Legislator Marty Proctor, R-Mina, was not in attendance.
For several months, Guttman has been talking to county officials, as well as a number of other groups and agencies in the county, about preparation for the eclipse. Some communities that have had total eclipses have had large traffic jams, gas stations have run out of fuel, and grocery stores have run out of supplies.
Guttman noted that most of the hotel rooms are booked for that weekend. Many of the schools in the county have decided to not be open that day.
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