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The OBSERVER’s View

WESTFIELD: Chance to build on a downtown

One of the more vibrant downtowns in northern Chautauqua County received a chance to build on its success. Last week, New York state announced Westfield was the recipient of a $4.5 million NY Forward award. “Westfield is a charming village that graces the southern shore of Lake Erie. This picturesque locale is defined by its stunning waterfront vistas and a wealth of recreational opportunities, inviting residents and visitors to embrace the natural beauty that surrounds them. Visitors and residents enjoy Westfield events like First Fridays, the Arts and Crafts Festival, the weekly ...

COUNTY: Invasive discovery adds to lake worry

There’s a lot to unpack from this month’s Chautauqua Lake Symposium. The county-backed event brought a packed house to the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel to hear from DEC officials, the Army Corps of Engineers, groups studying conditions on Chautauqua Lake and politicians representing the area in Albany and Washington, D.C. For all the good things that were discussed, however, one growing issue stands out. Starry stonewort continues to expand its presence in the lake. Dr. Rob Richardson of North Carolina State University’s Aquatic Plant Management Program noted what was once a ...

DUNKIRK: More blaming with no solution

At the Common Council meeting last month, Nancy Nichols who represents the Fourth Ward, made a bold statement shortly after the Dunkirk treasurer’s office was temporarily closed by the state comptroller. Nichols, who has been on the city’s legislative body for three terms, continues to seek out ways to point fingers regarding the city’s $18 million deficit. “I’m very surprised that it was just targeted at one office, there should be other (city) offices that should be targeted for an investigation as well,” she said. “As a councilperson, I have the right to say ...

FREDONIA: No cash request seems convenient

We could be about to find out just how cash-strapped Fredonia really is. During a Village Board meeting last week, a pair of pickleball players asked the trustees for $910 to repair cracks in the courts at Russell Joy Park. In the past, the request would have likely been passed with few questions. Reality at the moment, however, is much different. With a possible tax hike looming of more than 50% even $910 is a lot of money for an $11 million government entity that is taking out a loan for up to $825,000 to make ends meet. “We supply our own equipment, we provide our own ...

RENEWABLES Solar challenge has implications

Dunkirk’s Town Board decided against solar panel on a parcel of land on Williams Street. Now, it faces a legal challenge. Last week, Solar Liberty Energy Systems and John Dach filed suit in state Supreme Court this week. The filing calls the board’s denial of a solar farm project permit “arbitrary, capricious, irrational, without any rational basis, and affected by error of law because the record … clearly established that petitioners were entitled to approval of a special use permit.” The parcels are in a residential district and the town of Dunkirk’s zoning board ...

STATE: Continue delay of income limits

A judge’s decision this month approving the state Legislature’s decision to limit lawmakers’ outside income struck perhaps the most odious part of the law. Judge Alison Napolitano of state Supreme Court in Suffolk County ruled the state can’t strip legislators of their voting rights if they exceed outside income limits. Legislators’ base pay increased from $110,000 to $142,000 a year while outside income limits are capped to $35,000 a year. It’s a win for voters who faced the very real possibility that they could be left without a voice in the legislature if their elected ...