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The OBSERVER’s View

Government: Fredonia is also a ‘sinking ship’

Here’s proof that oftentimes elected officials are wearing blinders. Straight from the Chautauqua County League of Women Voters debate last week during the primary for the Democratic trustee, this answer came to a question about the village of Fredonia working closer with the city of Dunkirk. “Dunkirk is a sinking ship. I really don’t want to join any shared services with them,” said Michelle Twichell, current village trustee who came up short in the Tuesday primary. For the record, Fredonia is plummeting quite quickly itself — and has been for the last decade. Population ...

FORESTVILLE: Softball team makes ‘wonderful’ impact

Despite this newspaper’s consistent push for merging schools — especially when a number of athletic teams are already combined — there is no denying the magic that comes from a championship run. While northern Chautauqua County was disappointed in the Forestville softball team’s 5-1 loss at the state Final Four, the moment will be cherished for years to come. During a Board of Education meeting this month, discussion centered on some of the memories that were made by the Hornets’ run. The team was escorted out of town by the Forestville Fire Department on the morning before ...

POMFRET: No quick decision on fast motorists

Town of Pomfret officials heard this month from residents of Bear Lake. They voiced concerns regarding vehicles traveling over the 30 mph speed limit in the residential areas. Now that summer has arrived, there is an urgency to slow drivers — who are coming from county roads that have 55 mph limits. “We’re just here because we’re concerned about the safety of the residents, their children and their grandchildren,” Bear Lake resident Roberta Belote said at this month’s Town Board meeting. “Many of us have called the state police and the Sheriff’s Department, but ...

New York State: Abuser is bigger problem than weapons

Gov. Kathy Hochul will have a choice to make later this summer when she reviews A.544B/S.1985. It’s hard to argue, given our shared history with domestic abuse cases, that seizing weapons in these instances isn’t a smart thing to do in certain situations. The legislation requires a firearm, rifle, electronic dart gun, electronic stun gun, disguised gun, imitation weapon, shotgun, antique firearm, black powder rifle, black powder shotgun, or muzzle-loading firearm that is found in plain sight or pursuant to a lawful search be seized. Weapons could be seized if the victim responds ...

DUNKIRK: Trucks prove fiscal ride still bumpy

Dunkirk’s incompetence was on full display again at this week’s Finance Committee meeting. This time it involved the purchase of two fire trucks two years ago. Once the decision was made to purchase the vehicles for about $1.75 million, the plan for financing was never seen through in 2023. As usual, this lack of attention to detail does not involve the current administration of Mayor Kate Wdowiasz, but it definitely has the finger-prints of current council members James Stoyle and Nancy Nichols on it. Those in attendance at the meeting were told the trucks are already in ...

Hanover: Small community celebrates artist

A small, but enthusiastic gathering over the weekend in Hanover showed off some excellent pieces of local art while also celebrating a local legend. Thanks in part to Vince Martonis, town historian, about 40 residents came together for 98-year-old Ethelyn “EZ” Lyman. Over the years, the Silver Creek resident has painted hundreds of landscapes with many in attendance bringing in works they felt blessed to have in their possessions. “She is the unofficial historian of the town,” said Martonis. “Through her paintings she has preserved things that are long gone such as the ...