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Reliance On Fossil Fuels Drives Up Costs

Local Commentaries

The New York Independent System Operators (NYISO) released an interesting white paper In January titled: Impact of National & Global Conditions on the Cost of Electricity in New York. NYISO are the folks who actually deliver your electricity, so they ought to know. The paper is objective, concise, and an easy seven-page read for anyone who is upset by high electricity prices and wants to know the factual reasons for the increase. If you don’t know the cause, how can you come up with the correct solution? The second sentence in the paper sets the stage: “Over the last five years, ...

Warm Weather Brings Return Of Issues With Homeless In Hotels

In Our Opinion

Ellicott and Falconer Central School officials knew in February the lack of issues surrounding housing the homeless in Ellicott-area hotels was likely short-lived. They were right. Warm weather brought with it a return to the issues that have had Falconer and Ellicott officials frustrated for the past few years. Four times in the past two weeks police have been called for issues at the Quality Inn in Ellicott and the Budget Inn in Falconer. Two people were charged with endangering the welfare of a child, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminally ...

Continuing Education In Humor Is Serious Business

Local Commentaries

Long car drives are good for sweeping out the sticky cobwebs. Lottsa time to think. On my way back from the writing conference I recently attended in Dayton, I had 375 highway miles to review the stimulating weekend, to relive many new stories. The conference’s real name is the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop. It is named for Erma, the housewife humorist and distinguished alumna of the University of Dayton, the conference venue. She began writing for her school newspaper in junior high school. And never quit. Dayton is a Catholic University. It was Brother Tom Price, Erma’s ...

Are You A Fruit Fly Or A Bloodhound?

Local Commentaries

The fruit fly is a pesky little fly that is apt to be seen in mid-summer to early fall. They are enticed by the sweet smells of ripening or rotten fruits and vegetables that permeate the air. Their desire for sweet things can also be an advantage- for the home-owner that is. You see, remediating the problem can be as simple as setting the right bait. Take an 8 ounce plastic water bottle and cut it in half. Flip the top half over and slide it down into the bottom half creating a funnel, leaving a little space at the bottom for fluid. Pour a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar ...

No Easy Way Out For Struggling Entities

Editor's Corner

Addressing Dunkirk’s Common Council last month, Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel offered insight into what could be the start of something big. With officials from four north county municipalities at the table — including the city, village of Fredonia and towns of Dunkirk and Pomfret ...

Court Annuls DEC’s Wetlands Regs

Local Commentaries

Let’s pick up where we left off on Labor Day weekend 2025. In the court battle over New York’s new wetlands law, Round 1 goes to the challengers. Bravo. * * * You, faithful reader of this column, will recall how devastating the law can be for Chautauqua County, particularly because of the law’s impact on Chautauqua Lake. The law has the potential to turn the lake into a weed farm, hinder growth of lakefront-property values, and have the effect of driving up property taxes for those owning land not along Chautauqua Lake. You, faithful reader of this column, will also ...