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Editor’s corner

Shrinking tax bases rely on Albany’s bailout

Dunkirk Board of Education members in February had their annual dose of despair when it comes to future funding from New York. Dr. Richard Timbs, a financial consultant and former Board of Cooperative Educational System superintendent, again painted that bleak picture for the second-largest ...

Designation might make airport take off

Former county parks and airport manager Sam Arcadipane cannot help but notice a trend when looking at the New York state’s western and northern borders. Most of the airports in those locations — Watertown, Massena and Plattsburgh — have a designation the Jamestown and Dunkirk properties ...

Reliable Schumer always makes splash for county

Along the shores of the Barcelona Harbor last month stood a high-profile group of elected officials who are working to make things happen across this region and Western New York. Those representatives included U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy of state Congressional District 23, Dunkirk Mayor Kate ...

No victories in low election turnouts

One month before announcing he will not be seeking re-election, state Assemblyman Joseph Giglio had a bone to pick with a change in New York state policy. Around Christmastime, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law that would force local elections to take place on even-numbered years. “That means ...

Big county spenders lining up for raises

Each month, 119 elected members make decisions that impact 18 Chautauqua County school districts. They receive no compensation while serving on Boards of Education and overseeing millions of taxpayer dollars annually. During that same time period, another devoted group of individuals — ...

Super odds favor some winners, lots of losers

During the heart of the college and professional football seasons, state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli had some good news for state coffers while highlighting an obvious social concern in a news release. Gambling may be boosting revenues for Albany, but it’s taking a costly toll on those who ...