Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

SALAMANCA, NY –Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean) announced today that the state has provided $5 million in emergency funds to tide over the City of Salamanca during its fiscal crisis. “By working closely with Governor Andrew Cuomo, Assemblyman Joe Giglio, and city officials, we have developed a plan to address the city’s budget shortfall and continue to provide essential services to the citizens of Salamanca. This zero interest loan will be repaid once Casino payments are resumed being made to the state,” Senator Young said. “The city was at a point of crisis because financial obligations are due and action needed to be taken. This situation has been very difficult for the people of Salamanca because of the uncertainty, and the reduction of basic services. Cuts to public safety especially have been of deep concern to me. For example, the response time on an ambulance call has gone from about five minutes to 35 minutes in some cases. That’s unacceptable,...

Salamanca fire chiefs along with fire investigators from Montour Falls are still investigating the fire that destroyed the former Fancher Furniture building on Friday. They have been questioning people but haven’t said if they’ve determined yet if vandals started the blaze accidentally, or if it was intentionally set. The fire started at around 5:30 Friday afternoon. At just before 7 p.m. the entire south wall facing the railroad tracks collapsed. Firefighters say they didn’t declare the blaze under control until around midnight. Several firefighters were on the scene today as well. Mayor Jeffrey Pond declared a state of emergency in the city at around 7:30 p.m. Friday because the fire left many residents without power or phone service, and because he didn’t know what kind of chemicals were still being stored in the building. Philadelphia Furniture Manufacturing (formerly Fancher Furniture) closed late last year. The subsequent owners didn't pay their taxes, and the Seneca Nation b...

The City of Salamanca is in a state of emergency after a fire believed to be intentionally started destroyed the former Fancher Furniture building Friday, along with another building. The fire started at around 5:30 p.m. on Rochester Street and, before 7 p.m., the entire wall facing the railroad tracks collapsed. Mayor Jeffrey Pond declared a state of emergency at around 7:30 p.m. "I hereby direct all city agencies to take whatever steps necessary to protect life and property, public infrastructure and other such emergency assistance as deemed necessary," Pond said in his proclamation. The fire also destroyed the Luminite building, and threatened Salamanca Lumber. Part of the city was without power and phone service. Houses on the north side of Elm Street were evacuated. Firefighters from every department in Cattaraugus County helped to battle the blaze, while departments from Chautauqua, McKean and Potter counties were on standby. The Seneca Nation bought the property in Dec...

Salamanca City Council has adopted a new budget for 2010-2011 that includes a 3.2 percent tax increase. Mayor Jeffrey Pond said the increase was necessary because of reduction in state aid in several areas, collecting less in mortgage taxes and interest that would have been earned on those revenues. The city’s taxable assessment is down due to continuing removal of properties from the tax rolls that are deeded to Native Americans, who are tax exempt.