A NOTE FROM THE OLEAN STAR:

Recently, Star News Reporter Rick Miller has come under some pressure by various officials over the comments below some of his stories on our facebook page.   I want to take this time to clear up a few items.  

First, Rick Miller is a straight news reporter.   He writes fair articles for all parties involved.  He is not involved in any comments of our editorial staff or any opinion pieces in the Olean Star.  

Since our inception, our editorial staff has weighed in now and again on issues affecting the people in our community.   Jeff Peterson, Kevin Tilton and and Pam Tilton can attest we had some spirited back and forth on the issue of IDA Tax benefits for the Freedom and Farmersville Wind Project.   The Olean Star’s position failed on that issue but our system demands a robust political discourse.  

To the county officials that are taking issue with the comments of our editorial staff: first, any comments made by the Olean Star are factually accurate. Second, we generally let our followers mix it up on facebook, it’s a free speech zone.   Lastly, as you should recall, in 2021, our County Legislature amended the mission statement of Cattaraugus County to declare our County a “Constitutional County”, stating the “goal of the Cattaraugus County Government is to support and respect the Constitution of the United States of America and its amendments.” 

We will all be better off when our elected officials begin defending the First Amendment as much as they say they love the Second. 

                                                                                                Eric M. Firkel, Publisher