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In Our Opinion

Symposium Is Worth Watching For Those Who Care About Chautauqua Lake

There’s been a lot of talk about misinformation regarding Chautauqua Lake - particularly since local criticism of the state’s new wetlands regulations began. The June 2 Chautauqua Lake Symposium, organized by County Executive PJ Wendel, was the most concise explanation of how DEC Region 9 officials intend to handle Chautauqua Lake issues under the new designations as well as how state Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, and Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, R-Jamestown, think the state Legislature can protect lakes like Chautauqua Lake in the future. It is especially noteworthy to ...

Continued Push For Law Enforcement By Camera Is Troubling

Legislation introduced in the state Assembly this spring is the latest step in a troubling trend - law enforcement by camera. Assemblyman Fred Thiele, D-Sag Harbor, recently introduced the Protect our Pedestrians Act (A.10169) to amend the state Vehicle and Traffic Law to create owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with stop signs in the villages of Upper Brookville and Flower Hill in Nassau County and East Hampton in Suffolk County. You may ask why a bill affecting three villages on the other end of the state affects us here in Chautauqua County. The answer is ...

EMT Shortage Is A Growing Crisis In County With No End In Sight

Yet another rural fire department is facing a difficult choice regarding how it handles EMS coverage. This time, it’s Bemus Point, whose fire chief recently approached Village Board members to discuss options to provide EMS services as the department’s roster of EMTs dwindles. One of the chief’s recommended courses of action included the merging with the county’s EMS system, which several other volunteer fire departments have already done. Other courses of action included continuing as is or merging ambulance service with another local fire department. “We’re facing ...

United Ways, Like The North And South County, Are Stronger Working Together

We commend the boards of the United Ways of Northern and Southern Chautauqua County as they discuss a merger of the two organizations. It only makes sense to have one United Way. Merging the organizations reduces overhead, meaning more of the community’s dollars are spent on programs. The organizations were already sharing staff and had shared services agreements, but perhaps the most public of the organizations’ shared services has been the combined Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. And, many programs funded by the United Way organizations in each end of the county have ...

A Day To Remember An Invasion That Changed History

Today marks the 80th anniversary of World War II’s D-Day invasion. According to the National D-Day Memorial, which is located in Bedford,Va.,: “While the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, usually termed D-Day, did not end the war in Europe — that would take 11 more months — success on that day created a path to victory for the Allies. The stakes were so great, the impact so monumental, that this single day stands out in history.” Many in our region had a role in that mission. One man from Fredonia, Leslie “Bud” Morrison who died Oct. 14, 2023, was drafted in January ...

Property Owners Should Have A Greater Voice On Lake Issues

Add one more group to those claiming to work on behalf of Chautauqua Lake. The Chautauqua Lake Property Owners Association formed recently. Unlike other lake groups, it isn’t looking for state or county funding to undertake Chautauqua Lake projects. Instead, it is a group that seeks to act independently of the state DEC and Chautauqua County governments by simply representing the views of its members to the state, county. While we ordinarily wouldn’t think another group seeking to protect Chautauqua Lake isn’t necessary, it’s obvious lake property owners are interested in ...