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The Sweetest Sound In Western New York

Local Commentaries

Every year in Western New York there comes a moment, usually sometime around late April, or in our case late May, when people begin emerging from their homes with the dazed expression of survivors stepping out of underground bunkers. Somebody hears birds chirping again. Somebody else catches the smell of damp earth instead of snowblower exhaust. And all across the region, people begin saying the same thing: “We made it.” Winter in Western New York is not simply a season. It is a test of endurance. It settles in sometime around November and stays so long you begin to forget who you ...

No to industrial wind in Chautauqua County

Local Commentaries

600 foot Industrial wind turbines across Chautauqua County? No! Residents suffering from “wind turbine sickness” who live with turbines in Arkwright, Cassadaga, and Forestville/Villenova have described the symptoms they experience to the Chautauqua County Health Board in March 2026. “When the turbines are spinning, I experience adverse health effects including headaches, severe migraines, sleep disruption, dizziness, tinnitus, nausea and vomiting - spontaneous vomiting, equilibrium disruptions, and heart issues - not severe ones - mostly just palpitation, rapid heart ...

Keep 'Memorial' Foremost In Mind On Memorial Day

In Our Opinion

Sadly enough, many Americans unintentionally will disrespect the true meaning and purpose of today's solemn national holiday. After all, ever since 1971 when Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be observed on the fourth Monday in May, for many, the holiday is simply the final day of a long weekend dedicated to the start of summer fun and frolic. For far too many of us, Memorial Day's primary purpose has been corrupted. The day has become a day to fire up that shiny new grill for outdoor barbecues, a day to catch some rays at the beach or simply a day off work to ...

Piles And Piles Of Paper Piles

Local Commentaries

Are you drowning in paper like I am? If the computer age was supposed to eliminate paper piles, it’s doing a lousy job. Yes, I know I am supposed to convert all my accounts to paperless – and for the most part, I have. My credit card statements are electronic. The insurance, the bank, gas bill, water bill and township sewer bill all arrive to my inbox monthly. Despite many tries, I have been unable to convince the Pennelec people that this is a convenient idea. When the mail comes each afternoon, a new pile arrives in our mailbox. Occasionally it’s just the newspaper and ...

Randolph board member disappointed in superintendent’s comments

Local Commentaries

I was disappointed that Randolph Central School Superintendent, Kaine Kelly complained about the Amish in our district, about them voting on our budget, May 19th. The Amish Community, in general, are actually reluctant to vote. After receiving Randolph's Budget Newsletter asking for an increase of $2.50 per thousand, clearly, they did the math to realize that equals a 40% tax increase to them! They must have decided to have their voices heard. Randolph's annual tax increase has been staying in the 2-3% increase for many years, which is what New York State recommends school districts to ...

President Trump’s Trip To China

Local Commentaries

We have had a year of confrontations under Donald Trump—the humiliation of the President of Ukraine in the Oval Office, the put-down of the Prime Minister of Canada, threats against our ally Denmark to take over Greenland...I could go on. Thus, it was with a sigh of relief that we watched the unfolding of the President’s recent visit to China. The White House played down having any great expectations about issues like access to rare earth metals, tariff relief, the status of Taiwan, and even of the Iran War—and there were no major breakthroughs announced on these matters. Yet, ...