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Can The U.S. Go It Alone?

There has always been an isolationist streak in American politics. Among others, our first President, George Washington, in his farewell address, cautioned the new nation about becoming entangled in the affairs of other nations. But, the history of our country and the world changed. Whether we liked it or not, we were thrust into world affairs in the twentieth century by both World War I and World War II. America became the leader of the free world. In that capacity, we forged international agreements and alliances to keep the peace. We also encouraged international trade and ...

Coping With Firefighter And EMT Shortages

Watching the recent fires in California was frightening, as were the fires in Hawaii last year, but the firefighters there were heroic. None of us want to believe something like that could ever happen to us. However, if it did we would certainly want people like those we saw coming to the rescue in California rushing to save us. The same is true regarding accidents and other medical emergencies. The pressing question is - are there enough nearby firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) available to rescue us? Consider yourself fortunate if you’ve never had to make a ...

Police Force Funding Nears Breaking Point

In the town of Chautauqua, outside of the village of Mayville on Route 430 where I reside, we are happy to have the most highly police patrolled area in the county. With Sheriff headquarters located very nearby, multiple Sheriff and other police cruisers drive by my home many times per hour of the day and regularly at night. The nearby towns close to Mayville also have all hours Sheriff road patrols due to the geographic proximity to the county police force and county jail. Our police patrol service is included with my county tax and is paid for by every county taxpayer. No extra ...

Moving On Is Both Hard And Essential

With Holy Week approaching, we turn to forgiveness. --- Think about it. Does this ring true to you? Most, if not all, of what is bad and false and wrong in this world has its roots in one or more of the seven deadly sins: Pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth. --- So what to do when the bad, the false, and the wrong come our way? One option that doesn’t exclude some others is forgiveness. However, met with the possibility of forgiving others, many understandably believe forgiveness equates with—or at least is tantamount to—absolution or ...

Escalators Vs Elevators

I was intrigued when a beautiful wooden escalator crossed my desktop. I immediately began my research. It seems that the beauty is part of Macy’s Department Store in New York City. I think I probably rode it when I was with the grandchildren. I know we did not ride it when we visited Santa Claus with the ladies. I know we rode the elevator to go up to the top floor. This escalator was installed sometime between 1920 and 1930 So it has been in operation close to one hundred years. It was installed by the Otis Elevator Co. I knew that many elevators were made by Otis, but I never knew ...

Working To Strengthen Chautauqua Institution’s Roles

Chautauqua Institution is known around the world as a place for civil dialogue and conversation. Closer to home, here in Chautauqua County, the Institution is known as a stronghold for financial support to the area. In Chautauqua County alone, $233 million in total economic impact is generated, 3,208 jobs are supported and sustained, and $28.8 million is contributed to the state and local tax base. Chautauqua Property Owners pay $10.4 million in property and school taxes to the Chautauqua tax base, representing 15% of all real property taxes paid in the county, even though they only ...