Here are some of the best - and worst - of the week:
BEST
AIDING SANDY VICTIMS - A number of community groups are coming together to collect donations that will be shipped to New York City and New Jersey to help aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Donations can accepted at the following local spots: Knights of Columbus Hall, 302 Lynx St., Dunkirk on Friday Nov. 16 from 3-7 p.m.; St. Joseph's RC Church, 26 Erie Ave., Gowanda on Sunday, Nov. 18 from 3-6 p.m.; and St. James RC Church, 27 Allen St., Jamestown Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last pick-up day Nov. 16). Donations sought include non-perishable food items, diapers, handiwipes and feminine products (bring in boxes if possible). Groups involved in the collection include Chautauqua County 4-H, the Regional Knights of Columbus Council and the Permanent Deacons of the Diocese of Buffalo.
FIREFIGHTERS AIDING FIREFIGHTERS - On Thursday, two county firefighters left for New York City with a 16-foot cube truck with supplies to help aid fire departments affected by Hurricane Sandy. Among the items donated include 75 sets of turnout gear, gurney pads, water rescue gear, chainsaws, 100 pairs of work gloves, jumpsuits and a plethora of medical gear.
BREAST CANCER - Students at Fredonia Central School recently raised $1,366 for the Olivia Coia Memorial Scholarship Fund. Coia, a teacher at the Silver Creek Central School, died of breast cancer in March, 2010 after a nine-month battle. "It's amazing what students can do," said David Coia, Olivia's father, who accepted the check. We agree.
WORST
POMFRET BUDGET HIKE - During the Pomfret Town Board meeting, officials proposed a tax increase of 15 cents per thousand assessed value for village residents and 23 cents per thousand assessed value for town residents. Rod Pennica, a former town councilman stated, "As a taxpayer, of course I don't want my taxes to go up, but as someone who has had to do it, I understand that sometimes you don't have a choice." We disagree. Unless your budget is 100 percent mandated, there are always "choices" that can be made. In Pomfret, probably one of the best "choices" they could do is start talking with Fredonia about having a "coterminous government" and share more expenses or even eliminate a layer of government. But we're not holding our breath for that one. Instead, we just get to listen to officials, like Councilman David Penharlow state, "considering how much we had to cover, we did a really good job at cutting expenses." Yep, that's why they're increasing taxes.
