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The OBSERVER’s View

ENDORSEMENT: City treasurer post is ineffective

What purpose does the elected city of Dunkirk treasurer serve? According to the city charter, one of the duties includes an “annual financial statement of the city to the state comptroller and preparation and distribution of such other statements or reports as may be required from time to time by the Common Council or as otherwise prescribed by law.” As we know from the tumult of the last six years, that has not happened. It is a dereliction of duty. Even within the last month, state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has noted Dunkirk has not submitted required paperwork in recent ...

ENDORSEMENTS: Area selections for county legislator

Chautauqua County legislators who represent the north county are a much more diverse group than those who collectively are in Mayville. Some of that is because they are more outspoken — and are not falling in line with a majority party that is Republican. Over the last decade, after the sale of the Chautauqua County Home, employment levels have increased as well as spending. In the meantime, the Legislature represents fewer residents as population has declined. In the meantime, this group of 19 will get a 64% pay bump come January, thanks to the Republican vote, for apparently a job ...

Endorsement: Proposition has environmental backing

When considering the only New York state proposition on the ballot this year, we look to the conservation groups for the best answer. The proposal amends the State Constitution and permits new Nordic ski and biathlon trails in the North Country. Development there requires Constitutional permission because the facility is in the Adirondack forest preserve and part of an Olympic Sports Complex in North Elba near Lake Placid in Essex County. The project touches up to 323 acres and the facility covers 1,039 acres. It also requires 2,500 new acres being added to the forest preserve. The ...

ENDORSEMENT: Room to improve with executive

Tom Carle, Democratic candidate for Chautauqua County executive, has reason to be proud of his accomplishments in the private sector. Throughout his years of running large and small businesses in the United States and Canada, his decisions were driven by finding results that benefited management as well as the workers. His work steered major companies and manufacturing plants that included partnerships with Walmart and Gatorade in positive directions, helping grow revenues in some locations that topped $150 million. In running for the top county post, Carle wants to take those ...

ENDORSEMENT: Strong candidates in race for clerk

Voters have a difficult choice to make when choosing the next Chautauqua County clerk to replace the retiring Larry Barmore. The clerk’s position is responsible for maintaining records of governing body transactions such as resolutions and ordinances; maintains and provides records including birth marriage, civil union and death certificates; and is responsible for recording all land documents. Additionally, the office serves as a clerk for the state Supreme Court and Chautauqua County courts, oversees the Department of Weights and Measures and county historian and heads three ...

Schools: Perfect solutions for Maple Grove

The rumors were flying fast and furious in advance of last week’s Bemus Point and Chautauqua Lake school board meetings taking place on opposite shores of Chautauqua Lake. Public meeting notices were pretty clear what would be taking place - one district’s superintendent was leaving, and the school boards were interested in a shared services agreement to share the position. But that didn’t stop the public rumor mill from running rampant that the districts were looking at a tuitioning agreement from Bemus Point to Chautauqua Lake or a complete merger of the districts. Of course, ...