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The OBSERVER’s View

Forestville: Conference adds jump to hamlet

Forestville will be buzzing this weekend when the annual Southwestern Association of Volunteer Fireman’s Convention comes to town. The event begins setting up Wednesday with events being held Thursday through Saturday. Besides additional traffic with volunteers staying within the hamlet at a number of different locations, there will be live music at The American Legion from Thursday through Saturday. There will also be a beer tent, along with food and merchandise vendors. The event is open to the public. Entry to the tent for live music is $5. There will also be two parades during ...

Chautauqua: Institution has huge value to county

What does it mean to those who live here year-round that Chautauqua Institution is making changes to its programs and offerings? Ideally, it means Chautauqua Institution is competing for your entertainment dollar by providing programs that more local residents want to attend. We know a lot of people from Chautauqua County are out attending concerts – but they tend to be out-of-town. While that has always been the case, we have a feeling Chautauqua Institution isn’t grabbing as many of those Chautauqua County entertainment dollars as it used to. That means when Canadian visitors ...

Airport: County flying without a plan

County legislator Bob Scudder asks a good question – what is the county’s plan for the Chautauqua County Airports? “What frustrates me personally is we do these studies and then we put the studies away and we move on,” Scudder said during a recent legislature committee meeting. “It seems like we’re good at just doing the business, what we do day-to-day. … What I’d like to see more is ‘what’s the plan? I’ve never really gotten the plan.'” The plan, every five years or so, is to reapply for an Essential Air Service designation from the federal government. The ...

DUNKIRK: Challenge reveals government power

“You can’t fight City Hall” was a common cry from the past when a decision went against citizens of a local municipality. But that might be a current sentiment of Dunkirk resident Ryan Reading. Within the last month, the OBSERVER has done a pair of articles regarding his angst and disdain for city leadership due to the 84% tax increase. First, he petitioned the city in April to offer a payment installment plan for property taxes, in response to a massive hike. That effort was basically ignored — “received and filed” by the Common Council with no further comment or ...

Town of Dunkirk: Board plugged in to area’s sentiments

Town of Dunkirk officials are doing something Chautauqua County legislators cannot ever bring themselves to do: take a stand. This month, during the Town Board meeting, members indicated their concerns regarding a moratorium on battery energy storage systems. The issue came up after a plan was denied in the town of Hanover, and the growing number of renewable energy options coming forward in the town and region. “I think with all the solar applications that we’re getting, eventually, these companies are going to want these standalone storage systems,” said Phil Leone, town ...

Cassadaga: Village’s charm keeps growing

Cassadaga got its feet wet when it came to an opportunity with the New York Forward grant. While it did not finish with any funding, two other Western New York communities did — Westfield and Angola. From this corner’s perspective, Westfield has plenty of punch in making its case. Its downtown is driven by small businesses and the Westfield Development Corp. plays a role in driving business to the village and town. Cassadaga, at the present moment, has seen strides in its downtown. There are more shops and restaurants — especially at the light along Route 60 that includes an ...