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In Our Opinion

Westfield Superintendent Vacancy Presents An Opportunity To Save

The Westfield Academy and Central School District is looking for a new superintendent. This shouldn’t be a lengthy search. In fact, one could argue the district shouldn’t even post the job. In this age of sharing services, the resignation of Michael Cipolla to take a different job is an opportunity for the Westfield Academy and Central School Board of Education to possibly save money by looking to its neighbors to the east, west and south and share a superintendent. It’s an 8.6 mile drive from Ripley Central School to Westfield Academy and Central School, an 8.2 mile drive ...

Mathematics Hysteria Long Overdue

For far too many students in the American public school system, the math has stopped mathing. There is new concern about the subject of mathematics — and that evolving concern should be regarded seriously. According to an article in the Dec. 5 edition of the Wall Street Journal, a closely watched international exam has produced the conclusion that American students’ math scores took a bigger hit from the pandemic than their peers overseas. The exam in question is called the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, or TIMSS. It is touted as a broad math and ...

Despite World Events, Christmas Gives Us Hope

On this oftentimes dreadful planet, it is hard to imagine how the words “Peace on Earth” have any true relevance anymore. To many people on this Christmas Day, that phrase is considered obsolete, just a minuscule remnant of a better time, although looking at this planet as a whole, there never has been a time of absolute peace, happiness and joy. Belief in the meaning of Christmas and all that it represents is far from being universal. Many people don’t believe that there ever was a Christ Child or that Jesus came to Earth on behalf of salvation for mankind. But for those who ...

No State Approval Needed To Slow Drivers Down

Yet another speed limit reduction has been declined by New York state, this time on a section of Garfield Road in Busti between South Main Street Extension and Baker Street Extension. Neither residents concerned about ever-increasing speeds on roads nor the state Transportation Department are at fault. The statistics don’t show a need to reduce the speed limits, so we can’t blame the state for not recommending speed limit decreases. The fact that we’ve been lucky not to have more serious accidents in some of these areas doesn’t mean concerned residents were wrong to bring the ...

It’s Time To Hire A Lake Manager

Discussion over a submerged aquatic vegetation plan proffered by the Chautauqua Lake Partnership at this week’s Lakewood Village Board meeting typifies why we are so good at studying Chautauqua Lake and not so good at doing anything on the lake. Cooperation has improved in recent years - and we’re glad that is happening. The Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance has helped, as has insistence from foundations that everybody involved in the lake play nicely with each other. But that’s easier to do when we’re getting money for studies and to support existing ...

Hero’ Notion For Mangione Needs A Rethink

Altoona has been accorded deserved praise but also has been inflicted with an undeserved black eye over the Luigi Mangione case — Mangione being the suspect in the high-profile murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Dec. 4 outside a New York City hotel. The latter is totally without cause, saddening people here who still firmly believe that murder is not a good thing. But reject any thought that Mangione, from a prominent Baltimore real estate family, is destined to rot and die in prison, a forgotten man, if he is convicted of the heinous New York crime. Considering the ...