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In Our Opinion

Big Brother Is Watching; Do You Mind?

The use of cameras as a policing tool may be expanding locally. The village of Lakewood is considering the use of cameras on Fairmount Avenue, Fairdale Avenue, Chautauqua Avenue, and Terrace Avenue as part of a contract with Flock Safety. The contract would also come with the ability to ...

What Speech Are Chautauqua County Legislators Getting Tired Of Hearing?

What opinions, exactly, are the ones the Chautauqua County Legislature is tired of hearing in its second privilege of the floor during monthly legislature meetings? Is it federal matters that could impact the county or its residents? Is it local residents’ opinions on energy policy? Is it ...

‘The Swamp’ Real Winner Of Trump Tariff War

For decades, politicians have sold tariffs as a tonic for the working class. In reality, one particular group seems to benefit more than any other from trade wars: Washington influence peddlers. The United States collected some $288.5 billion in tariff revenue last year, up from $98.3 billion ...

Job Corps Has Been Saved; Now Let’s Fix It

Our long mid-county nightmare has come to an end. Federal funding has been secured to keep Job Corps centers across the country open, including the Cassadaga Job Corps Academy. Let it be a reminder to anyone who is concerned about federal spending that the idea of cutting the federal budget ...

City Must Act Now To Avoid Dunkirk-Type Shortfalls

Mayor Kim Ecklund’s 2026 State of the City address well describes Jamestown’s financial status - too little money to pay too many bills. As we’ve written before, the story is familiar. Between 2021 and 2023, minimal tax increases largely paid for with ARPA-related lost revenue funding ...

Unfunded Mandate Hits Ellicott First; More Will Follow

New York state officials are good at writing blank checks with your state tax dollars. New state regulations that take effect this year are writing more blank checks - this time with your local tax dollars. Ellicott officials recently approved a contract with an emergency vet while also ...