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In Our Opinion

Increase In Homeless Shines Light On Lack Of Investment In Mental Health Treatment

It’s been a while since the topic of mental health and addiction treatment options were discussed in earnest in our region. The time has come to push, again, for more treatment options. It’s telling that of all the issues that have driven the increase in Jamestown’s growing homeless population it was mental health that was largely singled out for additional action by Jamestown officials. While rising housing costs, a cost of living that has risen faster than wages and a lack of housing supply all play a role in the issue, it was mental health and addiction issues that the ...

Seek Togetherness, Not Violence

For as much as our culture likes to hold itself as above political violence, people historically sure do a lot of it. The horrendous attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump, as he campaigned in Butler, Pa. is another wretched entry to an equally wretched list. Political violence extends beyond presidents and candidates, of course — consider the shooting of Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise and the assault of Paul Pelosi, both among recent examples. In 2022, a man paused and called the police on himself during an attempted assassination of conservative Supreme Court ...

Rental Inspection Ordinance Isn’t A Cure-All For Housing Problems

A rental inspection ordinance throughout New York state is a good step. Too many properties have seen maintenance deferred for so long they shouldn’t be rented in their current condition. The state took the lead by requiring counties to undertake inspections, provided funding to help carry out inspections and provided some cover for the city to fairly easily implement an idea that two decades ago was dropped because there was so much community opposition. Lead paint should have been eradicated in Jamestown decades ago. The state, city and county had to step in and inspect ...

We Reiterate, A Special Committee Not Needed To Review CPS Issues

We never thought it was necessary to create a special committee to address concerns with how the county’s Child Protective Services program operates. That doesn’t mean legislator Susan Parker, D-Fredonia, was wrong, however. She’s actually correct - the County Legislature does have the responsibility of oversight. And in our opinion the county should use it. We reiterate our opinion first broached a few weeks ago in opposition to the special committee. A special committee isn’t needed. Questions and answers about CPS are needed. Members of the legislature’s Human Services ...

We Hope More Follow The United Way’s Lead

There is now only one United Way in Chautauqua County. Kudos to the boards of the United Way of Northern Chautauqua County and the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County in approving the merger of the two organizations and setting the dates for one countywide United Way campaign this fall. It was a difficult step, we’re sure, for board members who care about the agencies they have helped support over the years and, more importantly, the people those organizations have helped. Change is never easy. While last Tuesday was a momentous day for members of the now-combined United Way ...

Bemus Point Electric School Bus Vote Could Have Statewide Impact

It will be interesting to see what Bemus Point Central School District voters decide on Sept. 5 in regard to purchasing electric school buses. Voters are being asked to approve a Bond Anticipation Note to pay the $236,000 local share to purchase two electric school buses. The debt service will be paid over 12 years, while the project is eligible for 57.1% state transportation aid as well as an $80,000 federal tax credit. The total overall cost is expected to be $1,040,000 to include two buses, two charging stations and other soft costs. We don’t disagree with Joseph Reyda, Bemus ...