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The OBSERVER’s View

ENERGY: Grid’s reliability must be ensured

Twice during the heat dome that drove temperatures into the mid 90s in late June, the state Independent System Operator issued an energy warning. During the hottest days of the hot spell the ISO was noticing a decline in operating reserves. On June 29, the grid operated normally but emergency operations were a possibility to maintain system reliability. The morning of June 30, the ISO noted potential afternoon strains on the grid on a cooler Wednesday. “Special Case Resources and Emergency Demand Response Program resources are needed,” the notice indicated, between 2 and 9 p.m. in ...

Fourth of July: America more than its politics

On this Independence Day, America's politicians on both sides of the political aisle ought to be thinking more about this country as a whole - what is best for this wonderful free land - than mostly about their party, their party's agenda or the friction they might harbor and encourage against those with whom they disagree. But can they muster such a spirit of patriotism - what in a different time might seem inevitable? This year, probably not, amid the rampant divisiveness that haunts the halls of their governmental responsibilities. The nation's founders, if they today were able to ...

Social Media Warning labels sure to fail

We can’t disagree with a state bill that would require social media companies to post warning labels on their websites for users who live in New York. There has been more than enough study on the matter. Social media can be lousy for one’s mental health, and parents should do all they can to make sure children under the age of 18 are ready for the good and the bad that a life lived on social media can entail. It’s great to connect with friends or follow one’s interests via social media. But the pressure to keep up with the social media horde can feel crushing, and we know the ...

New York State:Hook-up rule could have big impact

What, you may ask, is the 100-foot rule and why are Republicans making such a big stink about Democrats’ move to repeal it? In a nutshell, New York’s “100-foot rule,” passed in 1986, prohibited utility companies from charging individual customers for the cost of a new gas service as long as the new customer was within 100 feet of an existing gas line. It’s a rule reflective of its era in time. New York lawmakers and utility regulators were trying to encourage homeowners to move from coal furnaces to natural gas because it was a cleaner source of heat, and regulators didn’t ...

Shared services County’s involvement needed in deals

Twice in recent weeks we’ve seen shared services agreements come to an end. The first was a note that North Harmony was ending its agreement to share an assessor and code enforcement officer with the town of Busti. Then, it was learned Chautauqua and Mayville are ending a shared code enforcement officer over conduct by Mavyille’s mayor that Chautauqua town officials said is inappropriate. These aren’t the first times locally driven shared services agreements have come to an end and we’re sure they won’t be the last. But the ebb and flow of these types of agreements makes us ...

FREDONIA Village consistent in frittering funds

Dissension regarding the future of Fredonia’s water system continues to stir up nasty confrontations and shouting matches during Village Board meetings. Previous elected or appointed leaders are some who have come forward in an attempt to stall any decision regarding water. Why would they want it any other way? While previously serving residents in village government, these individuals put off decisions for three decades while paying for numerous water studies in the past. Now that this board is moving forward with yet another State Environmental Quality Review study that costs ...