Here are some of the best - and worst - of the week:
BEST
SECTION CHAMPS - Congratulations to the Pine Valley baseball team for being Section 6 Class D champions as well as to the Fredonia Hillbillies baseball team for being Section 6 Class B champions. We also want to applaud the Silver Creek Black Knight lacrosse team for winning the Section 6 Class C championship. The Black Knights square off today against Penn-Yan in the Far West Regionals. Good luck!
HANOVER BICENTENNIAL - The town of Hanover officially turns 200 years old this year. On Friday, the town held a birthday celebration and today a marker dedication will take place in front of Stagecoach West at 2 p.m. to honor Everett R. Burmaster. Burmaster of Irving was a famous archaeologist, historian, paleontologist and naturalist. The public is welcome to attend.
A STATELY HONOR - Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. lost a great man in December after Mike Yerico passed away unexpectedly. On Thursday, COI held a special dedication when officials announced they were renaming the administration building the "Michael G. Yerico Administration Building." Yerico, a 12-year-employee, served as a manager, senior manager and division deputy director. A memorial fund in Yerico's honor was also created to benefit area homeless. So far, $1,250 has been collected.
WORST
PROPOSED THRUWAY TOLL HIKE - The New York State Thruway Authority is eyeing a 45 percent toll increase for big trucks. The reason they give, is because tractor trailers destroy highways quicker than passenger vehicles. But with such a proposal, more truckers locally will be choosing to drive on Routes 5 and 20. To make downtown Fredonia, Brocton, Westfield and Ripley safer, we're better off getting tractor trailers off Route 20 and back on the Thruway. It's time the state recognize that it needs to stop using toll money to pay for things like the canal system and help us keep our communities safe by encouraging truckers to use I-90. This proposal does the opposite.
