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Opinion

All good men should aid their country

Letters To The Editor

To the remaining, true patriots in America … Acquiescence, my friends, acts as a silent stamp of approval that can be the death knell of humanity. German theologian and Lutheran pastor, Martin Niemöller, best known for his opposition to the Nazi regime, wisely advised his countrymen against remaining silent the in face of rising fascism when he wrote … “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for ...

Lakewood should fund additional EMS services

Local Commentaries

The Post-Journal editorial in the August 17, 2026, edition was right on point concerning the changing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) situation throughout Chautauqua County along with resultant governmental cost implications, including saying “But one thing is clear – we should get used to paying for a service that we used to get for free.” The question currently on the table is whether Chautauqua County should increase its payout to provide an additional EMS service for a specific portion of the county. Two aspects about such a payout arise. First, there is an on-going ...

County historian saves historic voting machines from scrap yard

Local Commentaries

Chautauqua County is about to lose another piece of history and nobody except County Historian Norman Carlson seems to know about. The 21st Century history of voting winds through western New York and most specifically Chautauqua County’s Jamestown where the world headquarters for the now defunct Automatic Voting Machine (AVM) was once located. An erected historic marker on the city’s Jones & Gifford Ave. states, “At this site from 1895 to 1993, Jamestown-based companies pioneered in developing, manufacturing and servicing of mechanical-lever voting machines and electronic ...

Speak now on Safe Streets for All, Or forever hold your peace

In Our Opinion

We’ve had enough serious traffic accidents over the years to know there are some long-established traffic patterns in Jamestown that need to change. Our road designs in too many places make it difficult for pedestrians, cyclists - either pedal or electric-assisted - and vehicles to coexist safely. We have long held that some of those difficulties are behavioral. People drive too fast. They’re distracted. Pedestrians too often walk in the street when sidewalks are available. The rise of e-bikes and scooters being ridden with no regard to traffic laws just adds more traffic to the ...

Thoughts on Lakewood’s sidewalks, taxes, rentals

Local Commentaries

LAKEWOOD SIDEWALKS Jamestown just celebrated a great week with the hosting of the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival at the Comedy Center. It surprises me that during the comedy fest nothing was mentioned about the sidewalk installation in Lakewood. Because the sidewalk issue is a comedy. In a recent NYSDOT letter to the mayor of Lakewood it said and I quote "Installing sidewalk segments between Chautauqua Ave and Green St are not currently included in the preferred alternative." Since that letter was sent I have heard two different things that make me say, "What is the state doing"? ...

West Side Phase II sewers ready to go

Local Commentaries

This past week, a ribbon was cut and the county officially announced that the Sewer Extension Phase II for the West Side of Chautauqua Lake is now ready for hook-ups. If this had been a church setting, you might have been tempted to shout “Hallelujah!” or “Amen!” but, in any event, it was an important occasion. I don’t think that the general public realizes what it takes to bring such a large project of this type to fruition. A Sewer District expansion requires the approval of the municipalities involved. It also requires the creation of or expansion of sewer district ...