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In Our Opinion

Carroll Project Illustrates State’s Building Problem

It doesn’t appear that anyone wants a five-unit apartment complex in Frewsburg. A recent special Carroll Town Board meeting lasting more than two hours included not one comment in favor of a project proposed by Diamond Builders Construction at 82 Falconer St., Frewsburg. But, the project as proposed meets the town of Carroll’s building and zoning codes - so there needs to be a good reason to deny it or the town could find itself in court. In our opinion, what’s happening in Carroll is really happening across the state. New York finds itself with a shortage of affordable ...

Brick Roads Are Wonderful – If They Are Maintained

Study after study says brick roads last longer than asphalt roads. And we don’t disagree that brick roads, laid properly, will last longer than asphalt roads. But just because the bricks last longer doesn’t mean the road is worth driving on. Ask any resident of Howard Street, or any resident of Superior Street, what it’s like driving on their wonderful, historic, quaint and, don’t forget, teeth-rattling brick road. For all the talk about preserving a city’s history - and that has been the argument in favor of many of Jamestown’s brick roads over the years - drivers ...

State Deems Bridge Safe To Use, But Be Careful

As state officials told Ellery Town Board members recently, the Veterans Memorial Bridge over Chautauqua Lake is safe to use. County officials have been told the state Transportation Department has reviewed the project again and work will continue as originally scheduled. The delay was justified. Enough people use the structure each day that the review was the right thing to do. The important thing now is that people are paying attention, the state has been made aware of concerns and, because of that, we’re sure they will be watching the project even more closely than they already ...

If Legislature Examines CPS, Focus On Community, Not Just Workers

A review of the way Chautauqua County’s Child Protective Services unit works should be undertaken. But we’re not sure the review that should be undertaken is the one that is being proposed by legislator Susan Parker, D-Fredonia. During the June Human Services Committee meeting, Parker referenced specifically complaints made by CPS employees. Often times, the workers say they don’t feel safe when going into some of the homes of children they’re trying to help. They have asked for more hours each week and they have said case backlogs are too high. Those are important issues, ...

Always A Special Trip For Veterans

For the past few years, The Post-Journal and Dunkirk OBSERVER have highlighted Honor Flights - an opportunity to give veterans an opportunity to visit the nation’s war memorials in Washington, D.C. In fact, we ran the latest story in our July 3-4 holiday edition featuring six area veterans who took the trip to our nation’s capital. For all the times we’ve told this story, though, the thing that never seems to change is the reaction of the veterans we speak with after they return. Often, the veterans speak of seeing monuments they haven’t seen before, of being able to pay ...

Let’s All Be Neck-Deep In USA Pride

Today, people of the United States, as they celebrate the 248th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, ought to be neck-deep in patriotic pride for having the opportunity to live in this nation of freedom and abundance, despite its imperfections. Of course, as everyone who pays attention to the news knows, the patriotic pride this holiday deserves won’t be close to the unanimity that this day deserves to exhibit. The divisions on many political and non-political fronts - national, state and local - will not be eroded by the meaning, history and significance of today’s ...