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The OBSERVER’s View

The OBSERVER’s View: Is U.S. ready to celebrate its 250th?

Residents around Chautauqua County have plenty to choose from when you consider the plethora of Fourth of July events and fireworks planned for the upcoming weekend. Not only is it a major celebration of summer — but about our great country that turns 250 years old. Even though the spotlight is greater in 2026, this celebration is nothing like 50 years ago when the nation proudly marked 200 years. In 1976, patriotism abounded — even though we were healing from the Vietnam War and a shake-up in the presidency due to the Watergate scandal. In this era, America seems to be at a fork ...

The OBSERVER’s View: Government purchase raises questions

The OBSERVER’s View: Government purchase raises questions There doesn’t seem to be much commercial interest in land on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in Mayville where a controversial condominium project was once planned. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing for Mayville residents who fought the condo project tooth and nail over the course of years before the project fell apart. For now, the open views of Chautauqua Lake are preserved. Mayville Mayor Rick Syper has approached the Mayville Village Board about possibly purchasing the parcel. The 1.2 acre parcel is currently ...

Data centers creating dilemma in state

There are a lot of questions regarding the siting of data centers in New York state. It didn’t seem like the questions were local ones until last week when the former NRG power plant in Dunkirk was sold to Genover, a company that repurposes old power plants. One of the uses the company has found in the past for mothballed sites like Dunkirk’s is data centers. We don’t know if a data center is Genover’s end use for the former power plant in Dunkirk, but it is, at the very least, a possibility. That means Chautauqua County now has a very real interest in a one-year moratorium ...

Big pay hikes don’t reduce expenses

Here is one more example of how the government frivolously spends your money. It happened — unsurprisingly — in the village of Fredonia that two years ago increased taxes 54% after years of overspending. In the spring, to the surprise of many, by a 3-1 vote the trustees terminated Department of Public Works Supervisor Dave Bird. No reason was given for the decision, which is a standard practice, but then costs for the village went up. How? Bird was earning in the position around $57,000 per year — considerably less than the $92,138 paid to Scott Marsh who held the post until ...

The OBSERVER’s View: Voicing concerns on public comment

Public comment is making the news in the north county following concerns in both the town of Arkwright and the village of Fredonia. Within the last month, the municipalities — for better or worse — have addressed the issue. Fredonia took the most drastic step. For at least three months, trustees and Mayor Michael Ferguson have said they will still allow comment through written statements, but no longer for speakers in a 3-2 vote Monday. “Our thin skinned mayor doesn’t like being corrected, fact checked or criticized for his missteps. He especially does not like being ...

Can council, mayor get on same page?

Even though Mayor Kate Wdowiasz does not have to be at city Common Council meetings, according to the city charter, observertoday.com poll respondents are not of the same opinion. In answering our weekly poll question, “Even though not required, should the Dunkirk mayor attend Common Council meetings?” 85% want her there with 15% saying she can take a pass. Wdowiasz decided in May she would no longer be attending the twice-monthly gatherings, stating she does not believe enough business is getting done. After witnessing the last council meeting — with only three members in ...