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Letters To The Editor

Americans Should Prepare For Future Financial Emergencies

To The Reader’s Forum: Coronavirus/COVID-19 is changing the U.S. and the world every day. The good side is the general cooperation among nations, the search for treatments and, most importantly, recognition of essential workers and the courage of our first responders, who we regularly take for granted. The bad side is, obviously, the non-stop deaths from, and confirmed cases of COVID-19 along with the negative side effects of a damaged economy. Clearly, the world and the U.S. were not prepared for this pandemic. Surely, school closures, “lockdowns”, “stay-at-home orders”, ...

Congress Needs To Do More To Support Families

To The Reader’s Forum: Our organizations are working to help families put food on the table. However, we cannot do this work alone. The only way to ensure no one goes hungry during, and after, the coronavirus crisis is through stronger government investment in our federal nutrition programs, namely the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). While organizations like FeedMore WNY, Food Bank of the Southern Tier and Foodlink are doing what we do best — feeding people in crisis — we are struggling to keep up due to a “perfect storm” of complications: a rapid rise ...

Population Would Benefit From Opening Businesses

To The Reader’s Forum: When the Coronavirus problem first became apparent I was terrified. New data has come out that has changed that thinking. I am concerned that in most cases, isolation may not be necessary. It may also create a bigger problem because you can’t gain immunity isolating at home. In recent weeks studies have proven that Coronavirus antibodies are present in the population to a larger extent than originally thought. At first that seems scary. Kind of like “Wow, it is even easier to get than I thought”. Fear kicks in, and we withdraw even more. The ...

Clerk Clarifies County DMV Services

To the Reader’s Forum: There seems to be some confusion about the operation of the county DMV offices, so I would like to outline what can and cannot be done at the local offices. Please remember that all DMV offices are closed to the public at this time. A limited staff is there working but all transactions are to be done by mail or drop box. Driver’s license renewals including CDLs cannot be done at this time as they require a personal visit. NYS has extended the expiration on all licenses that have expired on March 1, 2020 or after until further notice. You may continue ...

10 Commandments Of Virus Stay-Cation

To The Reader’s Forum: Well here we are — that’s Teddy (my dog) and I. It’s another COVID-19 Sunday – gosh that sounds like a song title from the 1960s. I may get enthusiastic and write it off! Well I was not doing anything productive so I thought I would put together a little sermon for those who are open to the leading of the Spirit since it is Sunday. I am in a spiritual mood because my circadian clock is pealing out the church bells. Please consider the following if you are not already there: The Ten Commandments of the COVID-19 Stay-cation! 1. Do get yourself ...

Give Local For #GivingTuesdayNow

Over the years, Giving Tuesday has emerged as a way to give back during the busy holiday season. With the recent COVID-19 outbreak, many communities have launched a #GivingTuesdayNow movement for May 5 to raise dollars for emerging community needs. In March, local foundations established the Chautauqua County Crisis Response Fund-COVID-19 to address emerging needs as a result of the outbreak. Since then, our generous community has contributed more than $887,000, making it possible to grant $218,522 to 16 community-based organizations who have stepped up in unprecedented ways to provide ...