Editor, OBESRVER:
I am responding to a recent editorial in the OBSERVER (Oct. 31) that stated that I was in favor of big government. I would like to point out to the public my record on cost cutting and consolidation during my time on the Dunkirk City Council.
I am in support of merging the city clerk position with city treasurer.
Article Photos
OBSERVER photo
Silver Creek trustee Anna Frederickson chats with former county legislator Dave Wilder during a meet and greet the candidates event in Hanover.
I voted and supported the elimination of two part-time assessor positions.
I voted in support of the firemen's contract, which will eliminate two full time firefighter positions from the department.
I co-chaired a Dunkirk-Fredonia task force to look at the possibility of a joint public safety building that could house both our police and court systems with the goal of a north county facility that could save money over time.
As I reached the end of my fifth term of office, I take pride in what we have been able to accomplish over the years and look forward to possibilities of the future for our city and region.
KEVIN J. MULDOWNEY,
Second Ward councilman,
Dunkirk
Sek is a 'vote
for Dunkirk'
Editor, OBSERVER:
On Nov. 8, all caring citizens will have the privilege to cast their vote, for whom they feel will do the best job, for the betterment of Dunkirk.
What I am asking is you support Greg Sek for First Ward Councilman. Not because he is my son (stepson), but because he truly understands the most serious problem in Dunkirk. No jobs.
After our young people finish their education, many must move away to find work. Many away from their beloved Dunkirk, family and friends.
Greg and his wife understand this. They have a daughter and two grandsons in Chicago. One twin son is in Texas. This leaves another twin son here in Dunkirk, busy sending out resumes, hoping for a good job. God knows where he will end up.
Greg will give honest answers to concerned citizens. He will use the executive sessions for what they were intended for. But most of all, he has the strength of his convictions, which he will use for the betterment of Dunkirk.
A vote for Greg Sek is a vote for Dunkirk. God Bless Dunkirk and all the people who live here.
EDNA SEK,
Dunkirk
Allegations were 'unfair'
Editor, OBSERVER:
I was very disappointed when I read the article entitled "Ugly allegations," on the front page of the OBSERVER (Oct. 28), which was based on David DeJoe's allegations against David Prince. Both Mr. DeJoe and Mr. Prince are running against each other for justice in the Town of Pomfret upcoming election.
My husband, along with some friends, meet almost weekly in Dunkirk at a local club, where Mr. Prince occasionally has joined them. While discussing the above mentioned article, my husband stated whenever David Prince has court that same day, that he will drink soda pop and usually stays a short time. The assumption that, whenever a car is seen outside the vicinity of a local drinking establishment, that one is consuming alcohol, is unfair.
Mr. DeJoe also stated in the same article that Mr. Prince preaches and belittles those who appear before him in court. A few years ago, my husband and I personally attended Justice Prince's court. We were there giving moral support to a young man of a close friend of ours, who lives out west. While waiting for our friend's son to be called before Justice Prince, we were able to hear the interactions of others who appeared before him. It was a lengthy amount of time and during that time, we never heard or saw anything from Justice Prince except a professional and respectful demeanor.
As for our friend's son, Justice Prince fined him for the infraction and sternly warned him that if the young man ever appeared before him, he would 'throw the book at him." I didn't feel this was unprofessional or disrespectful, he was just advising this young man of the consequences of any future incidences of breaking the law.
I am proud to say I live here where we know and care for our neighbors. Can we all agree that allegations of this sort and 'smear' campaigns are not we want? Wouldn't a campaign that all can be proud of, a campaign that focuses on what a person can do for the office and without allegations, be in all of our best interests?
PATRICIA W. LEFFERTS,
Fredonia
Some 'friends' in Legislature
Editor, OBSERVER:
I think the people of Chautauqua County should know what really happened at the budget meeting in Mayville last month after the demonstrators went home.
Fred Croscut, Republican chairman and uncontested legislator, said: "Finally, the meeting can get under way." He rolled his eyes and sneered, "Despite all the annoying calls and letters to the People's column, and you know how we all read the People's column, we can now vote to privatize the County Home."
Legislator Thomas DeJoe stood to say he would never vote yes to such an injustice to the home and the county employees, as did Legislators Jerry Park, Lori Cornell, Keith Ahlstrom, and Robert Duff. They all asserted the one-time sale of the County Home would not solve the long-term budget problems.
They were sadly outvoted by all the other heartless legislators after Legislator Chuck Nazzaro pointed to County Home administrator Tim Helwig and said, "Chautauqua Count Home did not lower the spending of quality care for our elderly. They did not turn down the poor to make room for the more profitable private pay residents" so we must sell them out.
Legislator Larry Barmore then stated the $75,000 was not enough to make sure the Jamestown airport was plowed in the winter and mowed in the summer. "As we all know two years ago there was an accident on the Hudson and Canadian geese could fly out of the weeds, so lets raise the budget to $150,000 to cover those expenses."
Edwards had already taken a "friend" through the County Home two months ago showing them the furnace, etc. I don't know about you, but I bring my friends to my house not to a nursing home, so I am sure that "friend" will be buying our County Home and the gas well on that property put in by our tax dollars getting gas from under Dunkirk and Lake Erie so we can buy that gas from the new owners.
Our County Home is a treasure, well known in Albany. It is a five-star nursing home and the county will be less without it.
Thank you to all those good people who signed petitions and called our legislators. We can only vote knowing the other legislators I have not listed voted yes to the sale of the County Home.
SUSAN BALWIN,
Villenova
