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Opinion

Lessons for the U.S. can be found in Sweden

Local Commentaries

About six years ago, Economist Johan Norberg produced a documentary about Sweden’s recent economic transformations entitled “Sweden: Lessons for America.” The program is very informative as well as entertaining, and will challenge what you thought you knew. You can still catch it on YouTube (highly recommended). Sweden was one of the poorest countries in the world prior to 1850 when many fled to avoid the grinding poverty. (The first Swedes came to Jamestown in 1849; immigration locally continued through the World War I era.) Later, Sweden adopted free markets to become one of ...

Job reductions at ANF will take toll on county

Local Commentaries

The headline in the Feb. 22 edition of the Warren Times Observer reads “Forest Service layoffs may affect ANF.” How devastating would cuts to the ANF be to the Warren community? Let me give you the facts. As of January, the Allegheny National Forest employed 151 full-time people spread between three offices in Warren, Bradford, and Marienville. These 151 foresters, engineers, hydrologists, wildlife biologists, archeologists, recreation specialists, and more, not only work on the ANF but they represent 151 families that own homes, shop for groceries in our markets, send their kids ...

View from Hickory Heights: A common invention

Local Commentaries

Do you know who Walter Hunt was? I am guessing you probably do not recognize the name, but he made a significant contribution that we all have used. In 1849 he invented the safety pin. He received his patent, but later sold it to satisfy a debt. He received $400 for his patent ending his claim to fame. The article I read had pictures. The safety pin from the time of his patent remained virtually the same as it looks today. I do remember some decorative safety pins from my diaper days. There were some that were bunnies, some ducks, and some that looked like other pets. I also ...

Rounding Third: You have arrived at your destination

Local Commentaries

I hate seeing a new doctor. The obvious reason is that one of my physical systems is experiencing a kerfuffle that requires yet another brilliant medical specialist. And another trip to Doctor City (Erie). “Please arrive at the doctor’s office 15 minutes prior to your appointment and make sure to bring your insurance cards.” This is a recording. Frankly, I don’t leave the house without my insurance cards. They have a permanent slot in my wallet. At my age, I could need them on the way to the hairdresser. I never risk the 70-mile drive to Doctor City without all insurances ...

Our opinion: Time will tell on layoffs

Our Opinion

It’s too early, in our opinion, to know just how much proposed layoffs affecting the Allegheny National Forest will hurt Warren County. Part of that is because we don’t yet have full information about just how many layoffs there actually are in the ANF area. Because of that we don’t have a good understanding yet of how the cuts will affect programs and services in the Allegheny National Forest - though it appears that fire protection efforts that affect public safety have been spared thus far. What we do know, however, is that we’re not a big fan of the glee with which ...

Our opinion: Consider Saturday concerts

Our Opinion

The addition of Saturday concerts in downtown Warren is an idea worth considering. City Council member Wendy McCain spoke in favor of the idea while Mayor Dave Wortman also signaled his interest in Saturday concerts that could take place in addition to the existing Music in the Park concert series. The idea is still in the early stages of discussion by the Comprehensive Plan Task Force. Additional music or other activities that bring people downtown are important to increase the sense of vitality of downtown Warren. The more people downtown, the better. So the real question ...