Here are some of the best - and worst - of the week:
BEST
SUNY FREDONIA GRADUATION - We want to congratulate the many students who will be walking the stage at SUNY Fredonia today. Your hard work has paid off for that degree. We wish you the best in your future endeavors. Perhaps, at least some of you, could consider starting your careers in this region. We need strong, well-educated people, to stick around and make a difference in our community.
WOMEN'S LACROSSE - Although the team lost in the first round of the playoffs, we want to applaud the SUNY Fredonia Blue Devils Women's Lacrosse team for a strong season. The team made its first post-season appearance and earned a Top 20 ranking earlier in the year. We also note that Chris Case was named coach of the year and that sophomore Katie Kleine was named Rookie of the Year. Perhaps the team can use this past year to build in 2013.
ARCH DONATIONS - So far, Brocton officials have collected $23,000 of the $25,000 needed for the repair and relighting of the arch in the village. We applaud all the school groups, civic organizations, families and friends who have given to this worthwhile investment.
WORST
GOWANDA TAX HIKE - Not only did the Gowanda Village Board vote to increase its taxes, the tax hike is actually higher than the state's 2 percent property tax cap. In order to raise taxes by 4.44 percent for Erie County residents and 6.91 percent for Cattaraugus County residents, the board overrode the tax cap in March. Mayor Heather McKeever, who was appointed to the position in March after Richard Klancer resigned earlier this year, said she believes that "the village is on the thresholds of different opportunities, that, if developed properly, will help us to diversify a revenue base, keep our services sustainable, attract new businesses and retain current businesses and ultimately establish an enhanced quality of life for our residents." Since when does raising taxes by nearly 7 percent increase the quality of life for residents, attract new businesses or retain current businesses? If you want to improve the quality of life and help business development, start by lowering taxes, not raising them, especially when it's higher than the state's property tax cap. We do note the only person who voted against this budget was Trustee Carol Sheibley, who was serving as the acting mayor until the board appointed McKeever.
