Breaking News

In Our Opinion

Ban On Big Dairy Farms Would Be Bad Policy

Since the state legislative session is scheduled to end June 12, we’re not sure legislation that would prohibit the state DEC from authorizing any permits to large farms should concern farmers this year. That’s likely a temporary reprieve for farmers who have plans to house more than 700 cows, which would require a Large Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation permit from the state. Legislation (A.6928/S.6530) introduced earlier this session by Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, R-New York City, and Sen. Jabari Brisport, D-Brooklyn, could hurt dairy farms that are relying more and more ...

Existing Programs Should Be Able To Fill Job Corps Void

News that the federal government is preparing to close the Cassadaga Job Corps Academy is a shock to many, including students and faculty. The Job Corps is a federal job training and education program designed to serve low-income youth between the ages of 16 and 24 who face barriers to education and employment, founded by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The Cassadaga Job Corps opened in August, 1978. It offers training in carpentry, electrical, painting, plumbing, certified nursing assistant, advanced training licensed practical nurse and security officer/guard ...

Future Votes On Possible School Merger Won’t Be Low Turnout

Residents of Clymer, Sherman and Panama have made, in our view, the right decision by approving a merger study for the three rural school districts More than 630 votes were cast during a public survey taken during the annual school budget vote and school board election recently, with 73% supporting a feasibility study. Approving the study can only be a positive - nothing can be lost by having more information available when making decisions about something as important as potentially merging school districts. If there is one thing that should be concerning to the 457 voters who ...

A New Project Still Faces Old Obstacles

CODE Inc. and STEL are hoping a new name and a few additional units are enough for the Blooming Garden Project to succeed where past north side affordable housing projects have failed. Non-profits have been trying to push affordable housing projects across the finish line for almost a decade. The problem has been attracting enough state funding to make the projects economically viable. Matt Long of Long Associates told Planning Commission members that the project will change from past iterations when funding applications are submitted to the state. The most recent version of the ...

Quiet Actions Could Pay Dividends For Chautauqua Lake

Chautauqua County’s status as the focal point of opposition statewide against the state’s Freshwater Wetlands Regulations can overshadow good things happening on the lake. It shouldn’t. Quietly, the Chautauqua Lake Watershed and Management Alliance have taken steps that we think could help Chautauqua Lake and its watershed. For all the issues that face Chautauqua Lake - and don’t get us wrong, that list is long - there are some good things happening on the lake. There is increased cooperation amongst various lake agencies. Local groups will always have disagreements ...

Delay Of EV Transition Makes Sense

A bill introduced recently in the state Assembly makes a lot of sense - one reason its chances of becoming law rank somewhere between slim and an ice storm happening in Hades. Assemblyman John McDonald recently introduced legislation (A.8524) that would postpone the implementation and enforcement of the state’s ACC II regulations until Jan. 1, 2028. The zero emissions sales are supposed to include all new cars by 2035. It’s only a two-year postponement of the state’s adoption of California air quality standards that have come under increasing fire at the federal level - but ...