Here are some of the best - and worst - of the week:
BEST
SHOPPING CART LEGISLATION - Beginning April 1, both P&G Foods and Save-A-Lot in Dunkirk have agreed to prosecute individuals who remove shopping carts from their properties. It's about time! The city has had a problem with shopping carts being left all over the area. It's unsightly and can be dangerous for both drivers and those who push the shopping carts. It's a good move.
CLOTHING TAX BREAK - Let's be honest; the fact that New York state taxes clothes is an outrage. Taxes were meant to be on "wants" not "needs." It's why the government taxes candy bars but not vegetables. But somehow clothes became a "want." Well, starting April 1, New York state will once again lift the clothing sales tax. It does make a difference. Chautauqua County realizes this and had previously not charged its portion of the clothing sales tax. Taxing clothes only drives shoppers to Pennsylvania. Let's hope this ban on the clothing tax stays.
POP CULTURE COMING TO TOWN - This week, it was announced that the pop R&B band Boyz II Men will be coming to the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena June 8. It was also announced that comedian Billy Gardell (from CBS's "Mike & Molly) will be headlining this year's Lucille Ball Comedy Festival Aug. 1-5. Joining Gardell will be comedian Paula Poundstone. There are some great shows coming to Chautauqua County. It's going to be one heck of a summer!
WORST
POLICE ACCIDENT REPORTING - Last week we criticized the Fredonia Police Department for not reporting a pedestrian accident. It seems State Police aren't any better. Charles McDermott of Arkwright contacted the OBSERVER to say that a park police car had overturned into Canadaway Creek. But the State Police, which is in charge of the investigation, did not release the information on its media website, nor did they give the names of the officers involved when contacted by phone. Why? Is it because it involved one of their own? And by the way, Sgt. James Eickenburg from the Salamanca headquarters of the New York State Park Police said there was no public property damage in the accident. Unless the officers owned the police car, yes, public property was damaged because that vehicle was bought by tax dollars.
