Here are some of the best - and worst - of the week:
BEST
VAN SCOTER HONORS - Jack Van Scoter, the owner and operator of the Cockaigne Ski Area for 40 years, received the Ski Area of New York Hall of Fame Award. Cockaigne has been an important part of Chautauqua County and we're glad the SANY agreed and honored Van Scoter this way.
BELL RINGERS ARE BACK - The Red Kettle drive is upon us once again. Volunteers will be sitting outside area businesses asking you for your spare change. That money is used to help a number of people and organizations throughout the region. We especially want to salute the volunteers who are out there ringing the bells, reminding us to give. If you would like to help be a bell ringer, contact Laura Gonzalez at 366-3701 or 753-0998.
CASSADAGA LIBRARY WORK - Residents in Cassadaga are glad to see work being done on their local library. The Cassadaga Branch library building has been closed now for more than two years after mold was discovered inside. The building, which was owned by the town of Stockton, has been sold to the Library Association. This past week, workers were tearing the old roof off the building. We're glad to see something being done.
WORST
PROTESTING DPF BUILDING - County officials are considering - just considering that is - having county Department of Public Facilities workers in Sherman work from Falconer or Sheridan for the summer. That would mean there would be two DPF buildings in the summer. No layoffs are being discussed. As a result, anonymous press releases were sent out and a Facebook group formed protesting the "closure" of the Sherman County Shop. First of all, the county isn't talking about closing the building year-round - only for the summer. Secondly, even if the county is talking about closing the building year-round, why are people so quick to protest that? Is it because union workers would have to drive an additional 20 minutes to work? Would you rather see people laid off? It seems like every time the county talks about a potential savings, there's a group ready to protest. Here's an idea - how about the union give concrete examples of saving money, instead of sending out anonymous press releases and making Facebook groups every time there's talk about closing a building.
