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The New Era Of Big Government

Local Commentaries

It has been an articulated principle over the years that the Republican Party stood for smaller government. And, so it appeared in the early days of the Trump administration. There was Elon Musk jumping around onstage with his chainsaw empowered with the ability to cut and slash government spending through a new mechanism called DOGE—Department of Government Efficiency. The first agency to go was the United States Agency for International Development (USAID.) Supported in the past by both Republican and Democratic administrations, it was deemed to be unworthy of any more government ...

Think Globally, Vote Locally

Local Commentaries

“Think globally, act locally.” That aphorism is familiar to most. Its origins are unclear, but its gravity is more important now than ever. Globally, are you concerned about the erosion of the rule of law and the undermining of democracy? Then vote for Democrats locally who inherently believe in the democratic process (it’s right there in the name of the party). Globally, are you concerned about DOGE and Russell Vought’s Project 2025 gutting the agencies and services that so many right here in Chautauqua County rely on? Then vote for Democrats locally who will fight to find ...

Time To Put The Brakes On AI

Local Commentaries

When 50 fifty state attorneys general warn that Artificial Intelligence is a danger -- we should take notice. The areas of concern expressed by attorneys general include AI generated data related to law enforcement, healthcare, employment, educational content, election results, sexual predation of children, and digital surveillance. The federal government (in The Big Bill) planned to suspend AI regulation prompting state attorneys general to object in a letter to the federal government asking for states’ right to regulate AI. Subsequently federal deregulation was not included ...

Partisan Politics Blocks Honest Debate

Local Commentaries

CHAUTAUQUA—Did you read the page-one story about local elections in last weekend’s edition of this newspaper? If you didn’t, pull it out of your pile of recyclables, because it’s well done. The bottom line today is that this episode in state government was a missed opportunity to engage in honest, thoughtful debate about an issue that was worthy of honest, thoughtful debate. What stood in the way of honest, thoughtful debate? Yes, you guessed it: Partisan politics. ♦♦♦ If you follow local politics, you know that many county- and local-government elections are ...

In A Strong Field, Gonzalez, Bonfiglio And Daversa Are Best At-Large Choices

In Our Opinion

There are five candidates for three at-large positions on the City Council when voters go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 4. Incumbents Russell Bonfiglio and Randy Daversa, both Republicans, are joined by three newcomers: Republican Michael Zanghi and Democrats Daniel Gonzalez and Jeremy Engquist. Bonfiglio has quickly proven himself to be a no-nonsense voice on the council while Daversa has handled well his position as chairman of the council’s Public Works Committee. In our view Bonfiglio and Daversa should return to the council. Each of the three newcomers bring an interesting ...

More Elect To Be Part Of Early Voting

Editor's Corner

Four locations in Chautauqua County offer a convenience that has been part of the annual election season in New York state since 2019. Early voting began at 9 a.m. last Saturday. It will conclude at 5 p.m. Sunday — a stretch of nine days. This year’s elections — with the exception of ...