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The OBSERVER’s View

CLOSING: Rite Aid filled need for rural areas

The news that Rite Aid is likely to close its New York stores if it can’t sell them by June is going to be a problem for those who live in rural areas. Closing the Dunkirk and Fredonia stores isn’t a huge inconvenience given that there are pharmacies very close to both locations. The same is true of locations in Jamestown; there are options for customers who don’t mean a lengthy drive to another pharmacy. But for those who use Rite Aid pharmacies in Mayville, Silver Creek, Salamanca and Gowanda, the loss of their pharmacy will make life more difficult. Welcome to the age ...

Fredonia: Saturday energy to fill the village

Fredonia will take on an exciting and energetic atmosphere this weekend that will include an influx of visitors and an annual return of a downtown venue. For starters, it is commencement weekend at the State University of New York at Fredonia. Graduates and families will gather to celebrate accomplishments and new beginnings. Keynote speakers are alumni including Dr. Kim D. Harrington, ’89, who is Associate Vice President for Arts, Belonging and Community at Georgia Institute of Technology for the morning ceremony, and for the afternoon ceremony, Gretchen Geitter, ’91, who was ...

SCHOOLS: Smart lessons in Westfield plans

In a week, area residents will be voting on millions of dollars when they decide on school budgets. One of the most interesting discussions this year took place in Westfield in recent months. Board of Education members were open and frank about the situation they were facing. Enrollment showed minor declines but costs were going up. One way to reduce the burden on taxpayers is to find positions that may not need to be replaced. Last year, Westfield decided not to hire an open second-grade teacher post. This year, they did something similar. At the board meeting on March 10, the ...

NEW YORK STATE: Lawsuits could have been avoided

Four lawsuits have been filed across the state from groups and municipalities concerned about the effects of the state’s Freshwater Wetlands Act. Concerns are nothing new to our readers. We’ve been reporting on them long before they were a concern throughout the rest of the state. While the lawsuits wind their way through the court system — three in state Supreme Court in Albany and one here in state Supreme Court in Mayville — it’s worth remembering that the lawsuits shouldn’t have been necessary. The state Legislature could have headed off many of the concerns raised ...

LAW ENFORCEMENT: Regional policing excels in Fredonia

Last weekend was not as rambunctious as expected. From what we can see in the lack of police reports and scanner activity, the notorious Not Fred Fest was much tamer than what happened in 2024. There were no stabbings, fires or shootings. Some inebriation did occur, but that is to be expected when large groups of 20-somethings gather to party. Leadership in the village deserves credit for its actions. From the start, Mayor Michael Ferguson and the trustees were proactive in trying to take a lot of the troubles out of the unofficial weekend event that normally occurs on the first ...

SAFETY: Another journey in transportation

North county motorists will likely have an opinion on future changes that will impact Vineyard Drive. On Tuesday at the Quality Inn Hotel, 3925 Vineyard Drive, a presentation will take place to outline what is being proposed. As part of the Complete Streets initiative, the plan aims to redesign Vineyard and Millard Fillmore Drive with a focus on safety, mobility, and equity. The conceptual design includes improvements such as enhanced pedestrian crossings, bicycle lanes, traffic calming measures, and transit-friendly features. The goal is to create a street environment that supports ...