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Another ‘unacceptable’ city action

The taxpayers of Dunkirk should be outraged. How can a city that has repeatedly claimed to be in severe financial distress justify creating a comptroller position with a reported salary of $140,000 per year? This comes on the heels of an 84% property tax increase that has already placed an enormous burden on homeowners and businesses. Residents were told sacrifices were necessary, yet City Hall now appears willing to spend taxpayer dollars as if money is no object. Even more disturbing is what occurred at the June 2 Common Council meeting. By a 4-1 vote, the Council approved creating ...

Upward mobility indicator may be surprising

CHAUTAUQUA—What’s the greatest indicator of children’s upward mobility? Think about that. What do you suppose the answer is? American Enterprise Institute fellow Naomi Schaefer Riley raised that question during her presentation to Advocates for Balance at Chautauqua, or ABC, on July ...

Next generation is failing at history

I recently took an online history test with questions drawn from standardized tests for eighth-graders. I guess I did better than a lot of eighth-graders because I answered all the questions correctly but then I was a college history major many years ago and continue to be a voracious reader ...

Legacy of 1776 strong in county locations

Before the Declaration was penned, a 17-year-old fought for the American cause in the Continental Army at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He continued serving throughout the Revolutionary War, including at Saratoga, Trenton, and Princeton. At Oriskany, his courage—alongside that of a fellow lieutenant—helped turn the battle, forcing the British to withdraw and preventing a major enemy victory. He made his mark in securing our nation’s freedom. After the war, he made an even greater mark when he was called to preach. Sent by the Connecticut Congregational Missionary Society, John ...

On being creatures of habit

I was thinking the other day about how all living beings are creatures of habit. I remember, as a kid, bringing the cows in for milking. We would open the back door of the barn, and most of those cows would head right for their stall. There were 30 or 40 cows, but each knew which stall was theirs. That always amazed me, as cows, in many other ways, could be very stubborn. But, they were “creatures of habit” when it came to the stall that they called “home.” Then, I thought of our dogs. I am the first one up in the morning—probably a throw-back to those early days when I ...

A job means almost everything

When Martin Luther (the originator of the Protestant Reformation), in the early 1500s, wrote that any honest vocation is pleasing to God, one has a glimpse of what is known as the “Protestant work ethic.” A job brings some independence from parents to a high school graduate or college graduate. A job allows one to support oneself and then a family. A job instills a sense of discipline and self-worth. Unfortunately, Chautauqua County’s employment has fallen from 64,000 to 50,000 in just the past 15 years or so. (Prior to 2010, Chautauqua County had a remarkably stable employment ...