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Opinion

Protest? Why Bother?

Local Commentaries

At ‘No Kings’ rally all the way back in June last year, I stood at the corner of 6th and Washington holding a sign that read: “If you care more about someone’s legal status than his 34 felonies, you might want to check your humanity.” The truth behind those words is worth repeating. Simply being in this country without papers is a civil violation, and crossing the border without inspection is only a misdemeanor. What other misdemeanors are we reacting to with such fervor? Humanity should weigh heavily in our judgment. For the life of me, I don’t understand our nation’s ...

Expensive Round Trip To Priceless Laughter

Local Commentaries

I was backing out of a downtown parking space when something flashed on my dashboard. The mileage calculator changed to a wrench. OMG. What’s wrong? This is not good. It was late Tuesday, and I was leaving for Dayton Thursday morning. I was heading for the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop – a professional, fun, and stimulating conference. I couldn’t wait. And now this? It was almost 5 p.m., so I drove directly to my mechanics. Rick and Mark have kept me safely on the road for more than 15 years. On my way to their shop, I glanced up at the oil sticker on the windshield. ...

Poll Opens Door For Comptroller Candidate

Editor's Corner

Underdog candidate for New York state comptroller Joseph Hernandez was energized this week by a Siena Poll that was far from flattering to longtime incumbent Thomas DiNapoli. Though the Democrat has held the position since 2007, 65% of the voters surveyed indicated they had never heard of ...

RNC Ironically Bucks Red State’s Law

Local Commentaries

Federal law establishes Election Day for federal offices as the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? But wait. What about mailed absentee ballots? What about mail-in ballots? Does federal law mean such ballots must arrive at local boards of election by Election Day? Or does federal law mean they need only be postmarked by Election Day? At issue before the U.S. Supreme Court, with a decision expected by June, is this very question. The challenge is to Mississippi law, which requires that ballots (1) be postmarked by Election ...

City Needed To Step In On 2nd Street Building

In Our Opinion

Ownership of three parcels at 8, 10 and 12 East Second Street, including a building that has been a vacant eyesore for nearly two decades, has been transferred to the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency. It’s a good move, in our opinion. The private market hasn’t resulted in any sort of change for more years than we care to count, resulting in a depressing dollop of disinvestment next to the renovated Fenton Building, which now houses the Chop House on Main. City officials say intervention is needed to prevent the building from further deteriorating and meeting the fate of its ...

Outrage For Squalid Situations Should Only Be First Reaction

In Our Opinion

It’s always been amazing to see the public reaction when animals or children are taken out of squalid conditions. That was the case last week, when social media was ablaze about a situation on Peach Street and then caught fire again after two city residents were charged with several animal cruelty crimes. A search warrant ended up being needed to make contact with the Jamestown residents and to check on the animals. Officers found four adult dogs, one puppy and two cats living inside the residence. One of the adult dogs was in need of immediate veterinary care and a deceased puppy ...