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No escape hatch for unsustainable city pacts

Chautauqua County’s two cities remain pressure cookers for administrators who have to account for the big bucks. Within the past two weeks, both mayors announced spending plans that include tax increases that their councils will likely try to whittle down. In Jamestown, the budget totals ...

SUNY weathers storm, but more clouds on horizon

As the leadership team came forward last week for recognition of the State University of New York at Fredonia’s bicentennial year, CHQ Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Heitzenrater made a request to those seated at tables in the audience. If you were a graduate ...

Poverty rates take troubling toll on youth

As energy and grocery costs continue what seems as an unending climb, many households — even those working multiple full-time jobs — are experiencing more than just a pinch. It is an absolute cash gash. Within the last month, the New York State Association of Counties continued banging ...

In troubled waters, border partners keep focus of lakes

No one could have predicted two years ago that two of Western New York’s treasured resources would become part of a political grudge that is part of strained international relations. When President Donald Trump issued the executive order to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America in late August, ...

Only drastic measures can transform struggling cities

Maybe it is time for Dunkirk’s elected leaders to revisit a survey taken last winter regarding a financial future for the cash-strapped municipality. That poll, commissioned by state Sen. George Borrello and Assemblyman Andrew Molitor, found that of 178 city residents questioned, 68% ...

Lavish, placid Republican legislators may be on hot seat

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 ...