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Sometimes Doing Nothing Is Right

Local Commentaries

MAYVILLE—Sometimes the most forward-thinking among us are those first to realize they took a wrong turn, and then reverse course and take the right road. In that light, congratulations go to the Chautauqua County legislature. Let’s set the stage. During its regular meetings, the legislature has two privileges of the floor—times when anyone, including legislators themselves, can publicly address the legislature, subject to time limits and, of course, limits of decorum. Under current rules, the first privilege is at the beginning of the meeting. Then, comments must be ...

Vandalism, Thefts From Veterans Is Ridiculous

In Our Opinion

A couple of days ago in this space, we again noted the rising use of cameras in the area. There are legitimate privacy concerns that should be addressed as our society turns to technology to help improve public safety. It’s also worth noting the nuisance crimes that are helping drive society to technology. Recently, we reported on an issue discussed by the city Veterans Commission regarding thefts and vandalism at Lakeview Cemetery. The city has received multiple reports of bronze markers and other items being removed or stolen from gravesites and memorials, not just in Lakeview ...

City Speed Limits, Other Changes Should Be On Table

In Our Opinion

City officials are considering lower speed limits in problem areas throughout the city in an effort to increase pedestrian safety through the Safe Streets for All program. Many downtowns have 20 or 25 mile an hour speed limits rather than the 30 miles an hour Jamestown has used for decades. Some areas under consideration for lower speed limits include Falconer Street, the location of the city’s most recent fatal pedestrian accident, Sturges Street, South Avenue, Whitehill Avenue, Brooklyn Square and a few others. It’s also worth noting the top five accident intersections in 2025, ...

Big Brother Is Watching; Do You Mind?

In Our Opinion

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 access cameras in other areas that have contracts with Flock. At the same time, the county Sheriff’s Office announced a new partnership with Axon to deploy the sheriff’s Community Request integration with Ring smart cameras. There are obvious benefits to the use of cameras, or access to Ring or ...

Readers’ Forum

Letters To The Editor

Warming Shelter Is A Sign Of Compassion In Action To The Reader’s Forum: I worked last night at our CODE Blue Warming Shelter, a temporary shelter that protects those experiencing homelessness from the extreme cold temperatures outside. The following donations came into the Center, “unsolicited” in ONE night. Homemade pasta, cheese, Italian bread, four different kinds of homemade cookies, a huge tray of brownies (homemade), body wipes, fruit snacks, women items, wash clothes and hand towels, applesauce snack drinkies, hand-warmers, and little packs of snack cookies. TRUTH! I ...

What Speech Are Chautauqua County Legislators Getting Tired Of Hearing?

In Our Opinion

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 Chautauqua Lake? Are they tired of Legislator Tom Nelson, D-Jamestown, using time at the end of legislature meetings to speak about federal issues as he did five times in the first six months of 2025? We ask because those were the most common topics addressed by the public during the second ...