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In Our Opinion

Three Year Mistake Continues To Cost City Taxpayers

For three years, many city employees saw no increase in their contribution for their health insurance. It was a great deal for employees - albeit one given at taxpayer expense. That is not, of course, the fault of city police officers, firefighters and retirees. The blame falls on former Mayor Eddie Sundquist for not increasing those premiums as part of his budget proposals and the City Council for not catching the fact that premiums weren’t increasing on a yearly basis. Any worker from any walk of life isn’t going to kick that gift horse in the mouth. The status quo is not ...

The word “transparency” is now big among Americans. Especially on the governmental front — local, state as well as national — anger pours forth when the public learns about secrecy having prevailed, especially regarding an important, controversial issue that impacts them directly, such as one that causes an increase in certain fees or their taxes. Sometimes the lowest levels of government end up sparking the biggest, noisiest outcrys and furors, as a result of people not having been accorded an early heads-up regarding relevant goings-on about which they deserved expeditious ...

New Economic Development Coordinator Has A Lot To Do

Jamestown has hired Aili Makuch as its new economic development coordinator. The question now is what will the city do with it. It’s a valid question. In the past, the economic development coordinator has done a lot of behind-the-scenes work. The position’s work mostly shows up during Jamestown Local Development Corporation and Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency meetings. The economic development coordinator didn’t report to the City Council, at least not publicly. When the public complains about a lack of economic development activity in the city, they’re speaking about what ...

Taxpayers Take A Hit With Proposed Frewsburg Library Tax

The Myers Library in Frewsburg currently receives $30,000 from the town of Carroll and $6,500 from the Frewsburg Central School District. That amount generates 32% of the library’s $113,824 budget. Now, Frewsburg Central School taxpayers are being asked to roughly triple their support of the library through a proposition that will be included on the May school board election and budget vote ballot by approving a yearly $100,000 district-wide tax that will be given to the library. We don’t doubt that the Myers Library provides services enjoyed by some Frewsburg School ...

Learn A Lesson From Cancellation, Revival Of Winter Festival

Reaction was swift last week when the CHQ Chamber canceled the annual Mayville Winter Festival. Concerns over costs for insurance and lack of volunteers made hosting the festival too difficult - until the cancellation sparked a community reaction and renewed community involvement. A full schedule will be released this week, but for now it’s known the festival will take place Feb. 14-16 with a castle and food vendors in Lakeside Park. A planning meeting at 6 p.m. tonight in Mayville will pin down further details on events at both Lakeside Park and the Village Green across from the ...

There Is One Big Unanswered Question About Jamestown Airport

We’re glad to see the public didn’t have to wait long to see the latest study regarding the future of the Chautauqua County Airport at Jamestown. After a public presentation at the Chautauqua County Legislature’s December meeting, however, we’re left asking what the fuss was about. For the short-term, the consultants recommend pursuing a partner airline under the EAS program, focusing on hub connectivity, with other options to restore air service including collaboration with major carriers like American or United for consistent hub services or exploring an ultralow cost ...