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Opinion

It’s Time To Reopen Lake Alliance Meetings

In Our Opinion

One criticism of the Chautauqua Lake Watershed and Management Alliance board over the past couple of years has been the board’s lack of public accountability. That has changed with recent bylaw changes that pack the board with town and village officials as well as representatives from lake agencies. Approved in October, the new alliance board will consist of 18 members: three county seats, a seat for each of the five lakeside towns and four lakeside villages, and two seats each for the Chautauqua Lake Association, Chautauqua Lake Partnership and Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy. ...

Follow Our Immigrant Ancestors’ Example

Letters To The Editor

To the Readers’ Forum: These days we read about and listen to heated debates regarding immigration and people who are on public assistance. Some people think immigrants, legal or illegal, and the beneficiaries of Medicaid or SNAP are the cause of many problems with today’s economy. They believe they are being cheated by these “takers.” On the other hand, one could argue that large corporations and the ultra-wealthy are cheating all of us when they get away with paying little or no taxes. Many of these same entities barely pay a living wage to their employees, while their ...

Anticipating A Different Thanksgiving Proclamation

Local Commentaries

On the cusp of our nation’s 250th birthday, the Pilgrims can’t be ignored. Not only did our nation have its roots embedded in the Mayflower Compact written “in the name of God,” but their enduring legacy is evident in our country’s recognition of thanksgiving to God. The first presidential proclamation of thanksgiving in 1789 by George Washington read: “Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor… [let us] all unite in ...

Explaining The Message Of No Kings

Local Commentaries

I am responding to the letter in paper on the No Kings march and rally held in two locations in our county. He completely missed the message of the movement. Instead he focused on some who used profanity, the words Nazi or dictator in their signs. He completely ignored the speeches made, the songs sung and the unity of almost 800 people in Fredonia and an additional 400 in Jamestown who say “No Kings.” He also seemed to have no idea why anyone would come to the rally wearing an inflatable costume. I will attempt to explain some of this to him and other readers who may hold ...

Stefanik Spicing Up Race For Governor

Editor's Corner

Before sunrise on Friday, Nov. 7, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik answered the prayers of Republicans across New York state in declaring her run against incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul for next November. That intention to seek the top position in the Empire State marks the first time two powerful women ...

Patronizing Indulgence Is Out Of Order

Local Commentaries

Did you read the Oct. 11 Associated Press story about the new leader of a religious denomination in the United States? Never mind which denomination. That’s not the point. The focus of the story is that the denomination’s membership is almost entirely white, while the new leader is black. ♦♦♦ What really matters is the new leader’s ideas, character, and ability, not his melanin level. Nevertheless, the denomination should be proud in this sense: It’s not all that many decades ago that no almost entirely white denomination would have elected as any leader, much ...