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Opinion

Spin on federal CDPAP probe misremembers recent history

In Our Opinion

We find ourselves bemused by the wholly expected partisan reaction to news that the U.S. Department of Justice is suing New York for allowing widespread fraud in its Medicaid programs to continue. In a statement to the Associated Press, the state Health Department said the lawsuit was "baseless ... inexcusable and completely lacking in merit." It said the claims were "the latest attempt by Washington Republicans to score political points at the expense of vulnerable New Yorkers." That’s an interesting stance for the Health Department to take, because New York Republicans weren’t ...

Government purchase of lakefront property in Mayville raises questions

In Our Opinion

There doesn’t seem to be much commercial interest in land on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in Mayville where a controversial condominium project was once planned. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing for Mayville residents who fought the condo project tooth and nail over the course of years before the project fell apart. For now, the open views of Chautauqua Lake are preserved. Mayville Mayor Rick Syper has approached the Mayville Village Board about possibly purchasing the parcel. The 1.2 acre parcel is currently owned by Erie Bank and being advertised as suitable for commercial ...

Access to mental health treatment still lags

In Our Opinion

The fact that we have a mental health treatment capacity shortage in rural areas should come as no shock to anyone. Those in the health care industry have been talking about the lack of capacity for years. State and federal officials have heard the stories. And while we understand that it takes time to rebuild the mental health care infrastructure after it has been intentionally dismantled in well-meaning but ultimately fruitless efforts over the course of decades, work to increase mental health care capacity cannot continue at the current snail’s pace. We don’t all think about ...

Accessibility cost of moving farmer’s market

Local Commentaries

From 2018 to 2023, I had the privilege of managing the Jamestown Farmers Market. During that time, the market survived significant challenges, including the loss of local funding support in 2020. It continued because vendors, customers, and community members fought for it—and because St. Luke's Episcopal Church leadership and congregational members stepped forward when they didn't have to. For that, I and many others remain deeply grateful. Over more than 15 years working in the local nonprofit space, I have sat in countless meetings with community leaders, elected officials, and ...

UFC event at White House is undignified

Local Commentaries

One thing has been on my mind since it was announced and I must say that, even though it is definitely not the most important thing happening with our politics right now with a fascist being in the White House and all, but this one thing it has very much bothered me. What I’m talking about is the upcoming UFC event at the White House. It’s being billed as something to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the country, as if MMA has always been a mainstay in this nation, which it has not. And while violence, prize, fighting and combat have always been a fabric of every civilization, ...

City’s application earned DRI funding. Now it must deliver

In Our Opinion

City residents should have cautious optimism following the announcement that Jamestown has received another $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant from New York state. City officials put together a pretty impressive application. For that, Crystal Surdyk, city development director, and her team deserve a lot of credit. Surdyk and Jason Kulaszewski, city principal planner, had talked publicly about the plan having 24 distinct projects in the past, but simply having 24 projects doesn’t guarantee a big impact on downtown. Seeing the 24 projects makes one think that the ...