By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County lawmakers on Wednesday adjourned in memory of former County Legislator Jim Ellis of East Otto.
Ernest James “Jim” Ellis, who served on the county legislature for 14 years, died Saturday, Jan.18, at the Pines Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center at Machias.
Ellis was appointed to the legislature in 1998 and served until December 2011.
A farmer and longtime member of the Cattaraugus County Cooperative Extension and Farm Bureau, Ellis served for 22 years in the East Otto Fire Department. In 2016, he was recognized as A Friend of Agriculture by Cattaraugus County for his lifelong contribution to agriculture.
County Legislature Chairman Andrew Burr, R-Gowanda, expressed condolences to the Ellis Family.
Burr also announced 2025 legislative committee assignments that had only one change from his first year as chairman in 2024.
The only change to the six committees was Legislator Steven Teachman of Olean will replace Richard Helmich of Delevan on the Labor Relations Committee.
OTHER COMMITTEE assignments follow. Committee chairmen are noted with an asterisk and vice chairmen are noted with two **.
- County Operations/Public Safety — *Joseph Boberg, Delevan; **Laurie Hunt, Salamanca; Timothy Nagle, Randolph; Jeffrey Stoltenberg, South Dayton, and Steven Teachman, Olean.
- Development and Agriculture — *Norman Marsh, Little Valley; **Frank Higgins, Olean; Donald Benson, Allegany; Hunt, and Richard Smith, Olean.
- Finance — *Michael Brisky, Franklinville; **Marsh; Kelly Andreano, Olean; Benson, Boberg; Higgins, and Robert Parker, Allegany.
- Human Services — *Andreano; **Richard Helmich, Delevan; Nagle, Ginger Schroder, Farmersville, and Smith.
- Labor Relations — *Schroder, **Marsh, Brisky, Teachman, and Stoltenberg.
- Public Works — *Helmich, **Benson, Boberg, Briosky, and Parker.
No one spoke at a public hearing on the first local law of 2025, which would set uniform guidelines for determining the responsibility of bidders, which was sponsored by Burr.
The resolution states that based on experience, county officials have determined that quality workmanship, efficient operation, safety and timely completion of projects are not necessarily assured by awarding a public works contract solely on the basis of the low price.”
Under the new law, a low bidder will receive a form called the New York State Vendor Responsibility Form. If the form is not completed and returned to the county within10 days, its bid will be rejected and their bond may be forfeited.
Legislators approved several resolutions filed for immediate consideration because committees have not met yet.
One resolution accepts a $100,000 grant for the Cattaraugus-Allegany Workforce Investment Board to hire a disability resource coordinator to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Another resolution accepts a $49,000 grant for I Love NY Matching Funds for the Department of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism.
Legislators also approved a resolution to pay a minimum of $30,000 to Microscope, a Syracuse consulting firm, for healthcare consulting services. No comment was provided at the meeting on the purpose of the consulting.
________________________________________________
All Rights Reserved. Star News LLC. Eric M. Firkel.
