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The OBSERVER’s View

POMFRET: Sharing offer full of benefits

Pomfret’s purchase of a former church on Chestnut Road is not something we would normally praise. Government — already too encompassing in our county and region — needs to get smaller, not bigger. But Pomfret has a vision for the location: a potential to share it with the town of Dunkirk as its new town hall. Supervisor Dan Pacos made the offer during a board meeting last week. “The proximity to the town makes it perfect for it,” Pacos said at the April Pomfret Town Board meeting. “We think it would be great for a shared municipal building.” Dunkirk Town Board has ...

COUNTY: Shelter program is short-term fix

For the second time in two weeks, Chautauqua County officials have announced a program that will help deal with the county’s homelessness problems. The county Social Services Department last week announced the Public Assistance Shelter Supplement initiative in an attempt to bridge the gap between public assistance shelter allowances and real-world rental rates. The supplement temporarily solves one of the issues that has helped drive the number of families struggling to stay in their apartment to all-time highs. By reducing reliance on emergency hotel placements and supporting up ...

DUNKIRK: Eliminate post of city treasurer

At least one city of Dunkirk resident opposes the abolishment of the treasurer position in city government. During a council meeting this month, Thomas Taylor defended Mark Woods — who currently holds the post — noting he is “probably one of the most honest people I’ve ever met, and non-judgmental.” We believe that is a fair critique. But we also know that to seek election for the office of treasurer in Dunkirk — a position that is rare elsewhere in New York state — the candidate’s education and background does not matter. That means an elected city treasurer can have ...

NATION: Deficits, energy must be priorities

As time passes, the excesses of President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act become more and more clear. Recent analysis by the Competitive Enterprise Institute confirms that the cost projections for the law when it was passed were woefully — perhaps even deliberately — inadequate. The institute’s studying of the costs places its expense to the American taxpaying public at between $936 billion and $1.97 trillion over 10 years and between $2.04 trillion and $4.67 trillion by the year 2050. For a nation already struggling with a national debt of $34 trillion, we believe this ...

COUNTY: Legislators stuck in mud on lake

Chautauqua County legislators have finally taken a firm position on the state’s Freshwater Wetlands Regulations. Let’s be clear from the outset that legislative resolutions carry no weight and, for the most part, do absolutely nothing. We hold no illusion that the state would have reversed course on its Freshwater Wetlands Act had the Chautauqua County Legislature passed a resolution last January opposing the regulations or asking for a delay in their implementation. But, waiting until three months after the regulations took effect to pass a resolution asking for a delay in ...

DUNKIRK: Showing up helps build partnerships

One of the simplest ways to discourage dissension is just by showing up. Last month, those efforts ended a dispute between the town and city Dunkirk that revolved around police coverage. After town of Dunkirk officials were critical of a proposed contract, city Police Chief Chris Witkowski and Lieutenant Doug Switzer attended the March meeting to offer any assistance the Town Board asked of them. Witkowski explained the Dunkirk Police will respond to calls as the closest agency, even though the Town is out of the City’s jurisdiction. While Dunkirk Police does not actively travel ...