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In Our Opinion

It’s Time For Newly Elected City Dems To Get Up To Speed

What really changes in Jamestown’s elected politics if Democrats keep their slim majority on the City Council after absentee ballots are counted in the at-large race between Democrat Daniel Gonzalez and Republican Michael Zanghi? Likely not much. In our opinion the issues the city faces are less about direction and more about resources. Many of the candidates - both Republican and Democrat - agree on many of the issues facing city residents. Many want to see more housing demolitions. Many would love to add police officers. They want increased code enforcement. Additional ...

Court’s Handling Of Crawford Street Fire Insurance Lawsuit Bears Watching

The Selective Insurance Corp.’s lawsuit against Allen Street Development and the LLC’s owners bears watching in a city where a fair share of old industrial properties suffer from lack of maintenance while awaiting a new use. The insurance company says embers and smoke from the fire spread from 1061 Allen St. to the Artone building before the fire was extinguished. Selective Insurance Company paid $1,271,668.33 to or on behalf of Artone for damages resulting from the fire. Now, the insurance company is looking to recoup those costs from Allen Street Development LLC, Richard J. ...

Region Steps Up To Help, But That Effort Can’t Continue Forever

We’ve shared some heartwarming stories of people and organizations in recent weeks stepping up to help their neighbors. There are churches that are adopting families who are struggling to put food on the table. Some people are donating their New York State Inflation Refund Checks to food pantries to help them meet the additional need food pantries are seeing. Businesses, farms and farmers markets are feeding those who can provide proof that they receive SNAP but can’t get benefits or are making donations to food pantries. It should truly warm the heart to again see what happens ...

Paying Tribute To Those Who Selflessly Served

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day or the eleventh month 106 years ago, the hostilities of World War I came (for the most part) to an end. But though it was billed as the war to end all wars, American troops have continued to put their lives on the line for the rest of us and the world during another century’s worth of fighting. And so, since 1954, we have paused on Veterans Day to honor those men and women who have served us, in the U.S. Armed Forces. Those who chose — and those who had no choice — to serve sacrificed everything. Some did not come home. Others bear the ...

Local Decisions Led To Democrats’ Gains In Tuesday’s Election

This should be a week of soul-searching for Chautauqua County Republicans - particularly those in the cities - after Democrats made gains in Jamestown and the Dunkirk area on the Chautauqua County Legislature and the Jamestown City Council. Surely national politics and their effect on the cities played a part in Tuesday’s local elections. What happened here happened elsewhere too, with Democrats either retaking positions they haven’t held in years or making large enough gains to prompt hand-wringing among Republicans who have come to take electoral wins for granted. There is some ...

Court Decision Shines Light On Growing Energy Dilemma

Local officials have spoken loud and clear - they support Rep. Nick Langworthy’s Energy Choice Act. That bill seeks to prohibit states or local governments from banning an energy service’s connection, reconnection, modification, installation, or expansion based on the type or source of energy to be delivered. It’s a bill that seeks to protect those who heat with natural gas as states, including New York, increasingly push to end the use of natural gas in favor of solar and wind. The problem is Langworthy’s proposal is federal, while the problem local officials have to ...