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Just A Bunch Of Nuts

Local Commentaries

A sudden blast, like a shotgun, shattered the silence of the night, crickets included. With my heart racing, my mind—and likely those of any neighbors—rushed to the extremes. Who is out there? Is this a threat? As the minutes ticked by, I spiraled through “what-ifs” and worst-case scenarios, debating the next steps. Bang…..Bang! There it was again. Already pounding, my heart leaped as the sound seemed to draw closer and grow louder. Fear attempted to take hold, only to be instantly dissolved by my father’s voice outside the room: “You up? You hear those walnuts falling ...

The U.S. has become a can’t do nation

Local Commentaries

The BPU sent me a large electricity bill this month like they always do this time of year. I set up a fixed automatic payment based on an estimate of what I’ll use for the year. My situation is complicated a bit by the solar panels on my roof. They produce a consistent 5000 kWh or so annually, but do better in summer than winter. My heat pump uses more electricity during the winter for heat and in the summer for AC than in fall or spring. Once per year, I catch up. This past year, I paid the BPU a total of $880, but $240 of that was for solid waste. The $660 in electricity charges ...

A lesson in men’s mental health battles

Local Commentaries

Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month makes me think about how much stigma I carried for a long time. I believed what a lot of men are taught — that you’re supposed to be tough, suck it up, push through, and handle everything on your own. That needing help meant you were weak somehow. So I kept trying to force my way through depression instead of actually dealing with it. I thought if I just kept moving forward, eventually things would get better on their own. They didn’t. Depression has a way of slowly draining everything out of you while you try to pretend you’re okay. ...

Last Tuesday was hit-the-road time!

Local Commentaries

Every May I drive to Lexington, Massachusetts to celebrate my grandson’s birthday and decorate our family graves. This year was special. Malcolm was also graduating from high school and the family gathered – even more of us than usual. His grandfather drove up from New York City with Malcolm’s aunt visiting from Chile. His uncle flew in from Annapolis and his godmother from Los Angeles. This kid has drawing power! But regardless of the dozens of times I’ve traveled the 534 miles to Lexington, it is still a long day. In the early years, I prided myself on my one-day trip ...

Taxpayers have already won with Brooklyn Square property sales

In Our Opinion

An entire corner of Brooklyn Square changed ownership earlier this spring. The $2,137,500 property purchase by 716 Rapid Rentals LLC prompts an obvious question - what’s next for an area that has seen its share of disappointment over the past couple of years. Last year the Big Lots store in the plaza closed its doors as the company went bankrupt. Tim Hortons, meanwhile, moved its operation across the street, leaving the outparcel restaurant building on the site vacant as well. We have no doubt that 716 Rapid Rentals has a plan for the parcel, whether it’s a new type of use or ...

Chautauqua picks a new president

Local Commentaries

I must admit, upfront, that I am a bit biased in this matter... but I was delighted with the decision of Chautauqua Institution to hire Mark Johnson as its new President. He will be undertaking these new duties in the coming year. I first knew Mark as a kid growing up in Jamestown when we lived on Chestnut Street...he lived right down the street from us. We were good friends with his parents and, one summer, went with their family on a canoe trip to the Adirondacks. And, aside from that, how can you be against a “Johnson” from Jamestown...especially, this one? His grandfather ...