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Social Workers Fill A Vital Niche In Our Society

Local Commentaries

Every March, we recognize National Social Work Month, a time to honor the professionals who dedicate their lives to helping individuals, families, and communities through difficult moments. While some people imagine social work as simple charity, the truth is far more complex. Social workers blend science, counseling, advocacy, and compassion to address challenges that affect nearly every part of society. This year’s theme “Social Work: Uplift. Defend. Transform” captures the spirit of the profession in 2026. The field of social work began more than a century ago, during a period ...

Loss Of Refresco Is Simply Latest Blow For Ag Industry

In Our Opinion

Farming has been a way of life for many in Chautauqua County for as long as there has been a Chautauqua County. That way of life is increasingly difficult, as we were all reminded recently when news broke that Refresco, a grape processing plant located on Talcott Street in Dunkirk, is ending its relationship with 126 grape growers throughout the region. Officials with the Lake Erie Regional Grape Project have known since the end of the 2025 grape harvest that growers need to make changes. Jennifer Phillips Russo, Cornell Lake Erie Regional Grape Program Team Leader and Viticulture ...

CLP Responds To Herbicide Dissent

Local Commentaries

The resolution supporting herbicide use passed at the March 13 Lakewood Village Special Board meeting, but the recent Post-Journal coverage highlighted a lengthy explanation for the singular “no” vote. The dissenting information cited risks that only exist under extreme, unmanaged conditions to undermine what is actually a safe and highly regulated practice. Such misinformation stokes division in the community - a counterproductive dynamic that stands in contrast to the growing collaboration between lake groups. In the interest of clarity, I submit the following based on my ...

The Newspaper And Local Sports

Local Commentaries

This week I opened the newspaper, and there on the front of the Sports Page was an incredible photograph of three girls from Frewsburg with hands raised celebrating their State Championship in basketball for the second year in a row. It wasn’t just the photograph but also the write-up which made the article so powerful. There was an analysis of how the game played out, how the team rallied, what the coach had to say, and, of course, the euphoria that swept the crowd and the small community of Frewsburg upon being named State Champions once again in Class C Girls Basketball. I have ...

James Talarico Is A Counterfeit Christian

Local Commentaries

Not expecting him to appear in a local commentary to the PJ so soon (3-14), James Talarico was described as a “rare Democrat who, as a Presbyterian seminarian… is well versed in Christianity.” Not so fast, my friend. The commentary never told what seminary he attended. Take two Presbyterian seminaries. One seminary named Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary makes three statements on its webpage: 1.) We believe faith is boundless (“What faith is it?” I ask. 2.) We are bridge builders (A bridge to what? You’re left guessing.) 3.) We prepare Christrian leaders to ...

Bars Should Respect Diverse Views

Local Commentaries

The head of the New York State Bar Association, or NYSBA, has criticized a Trump-administration Justice Department official. *** Please read the criticism for yourself: NYSBA “denounces Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s declaration of ‘war’ on the judiciary and bar(-)association disciplinary bodies. “At a recent conference of the Federalist Society, (General) Blanche characterized the Department of Justice’s resistance to ethical oversight of its lawyers by courts and bar associations as ‘war.’” NYSBA “will always stand up for the rule of law and for ...