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In Our Opinion

Carter Still Led After Presidency

President Jimmy Carter was an honorable man whose second act in life — after one term in the White House — has served as an example for us all for more than 40 years. It remains to be seen if some of his followers as POTUS will live up to Carter’s post-political career and life. Can you imagine George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump or Joe Biden teaching Sunday school or rolling up their sleeves to build homes for Habitat for Humanity? Neither can we. But Carter did just that after Ronald Reagan’s decisive victory in 1980 made the Plains, Georgia, native a one-term ...

Hochul’s Veto Of Emergency Contract Transparency Bill Disappoints

There are times when we think Gov. Kathy Hochul isn’t quite as controlling as former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Then we’re reminded that Cuomo’s former lieutenant governor picked up a few tricks from her old boss. Hochul’s veto of legislation that would have improved oversight of contracts entered into during a time of emergency is one of those times. “It is important in times of emergency that there is flexibility for the Executive to focus on the ongoing emergency and move quickly in the best interest of the public,” Hochul wrote in her veto message. “The requirements in ...

A New Start For All In The New Year

Here we are, at the dawn of a new year, a time to put the year 2024 behind while we look forward to the joys and challenges of the coming 365 days. Though the kids may not be thrilled that their return to school is fast-approaching, there is excitement in the air as we wonder what will come after the symbolic reset we experience each time we start the new year. Some were ready to leave 2024 behind. Others may be looking forward to letting the good times continue to roll after experiencing a year of plenty for themselves and their families. All of us are hoping for that happy and ...

County’s Possible Move Of Offices To Chautauqua Mall Raises Questions

Chautauqua County officials are mulling an offer to move most of the county’s Jamestown offices into the Chautauqua Mall. The fact that such a move makes financial sense for the owners of the Chautauqua Mall speaks volumes about the state of retail businesses in Chautauqua County right now. There are seemingly as many restaurants and service agencies in the mall as retailers, a sign that big box retailing in Chautauqua County just doesn’t pay like it used to. But the county’s move is a curious one on one front. For years the county kept offices in Dunkirk and Jamestown ...

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 ...