Right as the controversial data center issue began to ramp up in the spring, our newspaper received a communication from a fired-up individual. As part of the impassioned discussion, the caller made it clear what she was going to say would be important to the Brocton-Portland community. Why ...
SUNSET BAY—It’s a gorgeous late summer day on the shore of Lake Erie. As a Buffalo Bills’ game is on television, the sun is bright, the air is warm, and wispy clouds fill the blue sky. This is the kind of day that postcards are made of. It’s that much fun. It’s a bit windy ...
It’s becoming clear, as we move through the state-prescribed consolidation process in Clymer, Sherman and Panama, that the state should consider changes to its school merger process. The process begins with a nonbinding referendum vote during a school budget vote and board election to approve a study. The boards then approve a consultant. Then, the communities have to vote a second time to schedule a vote - either through what is known as a straw vote or through a petition drive that signals the communities’ agreement to set a final vote. If all those steps are approved, then the ...
In a bolt of bipartisanship, the Chautauqua County Legislature recently approved a local law that will require drivers to leave a minimum of three feet when passing non-motorists. The law is aimed at cyclists, but also includes pedestrians, those on horses and Amish buggies, among others. State law requires drivers to use “due care” but does not attach a measurement to that standard. We think there’s a reason for that choice - how does one use the 3-foot law preventatively? Police aren’t carrying tape measures, and even if they did they can’t use one while moving if they ...
One thing is clear in the aftermath of the charges last week against a social media personality for an incident in which the personality was stabbed - there need to be some rules for social media’s “To Catch A Predator” crowd. Nicholas Attalla, better known as Niky Sal, was charged with second-degree criminal nuisance and endangering the welfare of a child. Two other men involved in the altercation at Tim Hortons in December were also charged with second-degree criminal nuisance and endangering the welfare of a child after an attempted sex predator unveiling in a public place ...
The controversy over deployment of Flock Systems cameras in the north county should serve as a lesson for the rest of the county’s local governments to be transparent with the types of video camera systems they are using. District Attorney Jason Schmidt recently attended a Fredonia Village Board meeting to defend the camera’s placement and use. We aren’t going to debate whether or not there is a need for video surveillance of some busy areas as county police agencies try to use technology to solve crimes. There is such a need. We have no doubt that cameras - whether they are ...
