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In Our Opinion

Lewis Black Makes An Impact Locally

Not everyone enjoys Lewis Black’s particular brand of comedy. But Chautauqua County residents should be able to agree that the south county has been the beneficiary of Black’s ties to the National Comedy Center. The noted stand-up comedian helped bring a week of laughs to the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater last week, curating a week of 10:45 a.m. lectures that brought some of the most noted names in comedy to Chautauqua Institution. Black helped bring Pete Docter, Pixar chief creative officer and Academy Award winner; comedians Roy Wood Jr. and Paula Poundstone; Jen Flanz, ...

The Time Is Now To Ensure Power Grid’s Reliability

Twice during the heat dome that drove temperatures into the mid 90s in late June, the state Independent System Operator issued an energy warning. During the hottest days of the hot spell the ISO was noticing a decline in operating reserves. On June 29, the grid operated normally but emergency operations were a possibility to maintain system reliability. The morning of June 30, the ISO noted potential afternoon strains on the grid on a cooler Wednesday. “Special Case Resources and Emergency Demand Response Program resources are needed,” the notice indicated, between 2 and 9 p.m. in ...

America More Than Its Politics

On this Independence Day, America’s politicians on both sides of the political aisle ought to be thinking more about this country as a whole - what is best for this wonderful free land - than mostly about their party, their party’s agenda or the friction they might harbor and encourage against those with whom they disagree. But can they muster such a spirit of patriotism - what in a different time might seem inevitable? This year, probably not, amid the rampant divisiveness that haunts the halls of their governmental responsibilities. The nation’s founders, if they today were ...

Furniture Mart Project Needs A Boost

For years the Furniture Mart building was a centerpiece of commerce in Jamestown. It may never have that role again, but we’d like to think that in the right hands, with the right plan, the Furniture Mart has a higher and better use than it has now. A city known as the Furniture Capital of the World needed a place for its furniture markets to showcase their newest creations. So, with a clear need in mind, the Furniture Exposition Building was designed in the early 1900s and built. Everyone recognizes its brick facade - though they might not know the building was designed to be ...

Social Media Warning Labels Are Well-Meaning, But Useless

We can’t disagree with a state bill that would require social media companies to post warning labels on their websites for users who live in New York. There has been more than enough study on the matter. Social media can be lousy for one’s mental health, and parents should do all they can to make sure children under the age of 18 are ready for the good and the bad that a life lived on social media can entail. It’s great to connect with friends or follow one’s interests via social media. But the pressure to keep up with the social media horde can feel crushing, and we know the ...

We’ve Seen The Gas Price Signs. It’s Time For Some Answers

People in Chautauqua County have seen the signs - the gas price signs, that is. And they want to know why they’re paying more for a gallon of gas in the Jamestown area than they do in Westfield. We’ve heard the complaints. We’ve seen the social media posts - gas sign selfies are almost as popular as vacation selfies these days from county residents who can’t believe the prices they’re finding when they’re out on the road. And it’s not like we’re talking about trips to the Carolinas here. The price in Allegany County is $3.115 compared to our $3.395. A short drive north ...