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The OBSERVER’s View

COUNTY: DMV closings set to bring benefits

For those needing the assistance of the Department of Motor Vehicles in the coming days, this is an important reminder: the office will be closed Friday until Feb. 18. It is not just in Chautauqua County, it is statewide as a new, modernized DMV software system known as DRIVES is implemented. “This temporary closure is an important step toward improving the overall DMV experience for our residents,” said Chautauqua County Clerk Greg Carlson. “By preparing in advance and allowing time for a smooth transition, we can help ensure our customers receive more efficient and reliable ...

PINK THE RINK: A hockey team’s winning tradition

From the beginning, Pink the Rink at the State University of New York at Fredonia was special. On the day after the inaugural event in 2008, the pink-clad Blue Devil hockey team was featured on ESPN during its top plays segment. Since then, the event remains a significant date in the season’s schedule — for the university as well as the community. This year’s event is the 17th “Pink the Rink” game in 18 years. To date, roughly $125,000 has been raised by the Fredonia State hockey program in the fight against cancer. All proceeds from the event benefit the American Cancer ...

SUPER BOWL: Buffalo witnesses a map to a title

For many Western New Yorkers, this weekend’s Super Bowl was not one to embrace. It came three weeks after the bitter loss to the Denver Broncos that included a questionable interception and borderline pass interference penalties. That’s tough to get over. But having to watch rival New England — with six titles — in the big game may have been worse. While the Patriots deserve lots of credit for their stunning turnaround — from four wins to 14 — not many in this region could stomach them winning another championship. Seattle, with its dominant defense, ended the ...

New York State: Spelling out all the costs

Sen. Pam Helming has a simple request of her fellow New York state lawmakers – tell people the projected costs of bills that would expand insurance coverage requirements. Last week, senators passed legislation that shines a light on why Helming’s bill (S.8619) is so desperately needed. Senators approved S.4497 to remove an existing restriction on infertility preservation services that would make more of those services something required to be covered by insurers in New York state. As is the case with most insurance coverage bills that come before the state Legislature, supporters ...

ENERGY: Gas repowering is shorter road

Is it realistic to hope for a nuclear plant at the former NRG Energy Inc. site in Dunkirk? While many are not ruling out the opportunity, time is a factor. Even if the site is chosen, the state Request for Information for interested developers — which was submitted by the city — notes the hope of construction beginning by 2033. That’s a long time to wait, especially for a financially troubled municipality. In recent weeks, state Sen. George Borrello renewed a call to repower that site with natural gas. He did so in an opinion piece in the OBSERVER two weeks ago and followed that ...

FREDONIA: Some bright spots in the water woes

We would like to echo recent comments made by Fredonia Mayor Michael Ferguson after a major water main break in bitter temperatures last week. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon at Central Avenue and Temple Street in the village. “DPW worked on it until 3:40 a.m. (Saturday) when St. George took over,” Ferguson said, later noting of the workers: “They were sprayed with water, it froze on them. They hung in there.” Since that incident, Fredonia water users dealt with a boil-water order that ended Tuesday. A conservation order, due to water lost in the break, remained in ...