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The OBSERVER’s View

DUNKIRK: Understanding pain in tax hikes

Within weeks, city of Dunkirk property owners will be receiving a rude awakening. That unthinkable 84% tax hike will arrive as reality. That’s a lot of pain for a community that has a poverty rate of 25%. Even residents who do not own property will be impacted in some way. Rental rates will be rising — and some may just decide to move out of the city. Dunkirk City Schools, as another taxing entity, understands the importance of the issue. During a meeting last month with a fiscal consultant, it was announced that the district will try for a zero-tax hike. “Part of my job is ...

Police: ‘Shortage’ another reason to merge

One more case was made for the possible consolidation of the largest north county Police Departments. In making his plea to village trustees, Chief David Price talked about the lack of candidates for open positions. “I’m not asking for additional staff, and I’m below where we were 10 years ago,” he said. “There are no part time positions available anymore, and that’s because of a nationwide policing shortage (that) hit our county really bad.” The police chief continued, “If we fail to do something, it will be a year and half before we even have an opportunity to hire. ...

New York: Supply limits add to salt shortage

It turns out President Donald Trump doesn’t have the market cornered on protective trade policies. Back in 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the New York State Buy American Salt Act, a bill sponsored by Sen. John Mannion in the state Senate and Assemblyman Harry Bronson in the state Assembly. It wasn’t terribly controversial at the time — even Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, voted in favor of the bill in the Senate, though Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-Jamestown, voted against the bill in the Assembly in a 136-14 vote. “With the Buy American Salt Act, we are helping State and ...

FIRE MERGERS: Testing the waters in Brocton, Portland

A contentious issue seems to be cautiously moving forward when it comes to consolidation of the village and Brocton and town of Portland fire departments. One of the most respected area individuals when it comes to volunteering for his community spoke about the issue last month. Dave Hazelton, an Emergency Medical Technician and former member of the Brocton Village Board, indicated he will be involved in the discussions to facilitate the process. Hazelton said of a potential merger, “It seems to be the popular thing to do.” Last week, five volunteer departments in Hanover were not ...

VANDALISM: Unfortunate acts signal frustration

It’s no secret there are some who aren’t happy with the new direction of the federal government. There are plenty of ways to register one’s disagreement. Some people choose to do so via social media. There have been protests like the one in early February outside Rep. Nick Langworthy’s Jamestown office. Other people choose to write letters or guest essays to the newspaper - and we can attest receiving more than a fair share of those in recent weeks. What happened recently at Langworthy’s office is unconscionable. Langworthy said last week that his Jamestown office was ...

POLICING Town missing reality on costs

Town of Dunkirk elected officials have some reasons to be annoyed. City of Dunkirk officials have proposed upping the cost for police patrols in and around the town for 2025. All the while, calls from town leaders to Dunkirk City Hall are not being returned. But there is a bigger picture that is simply this: town residents are getting a deal in terms of policing. In 2024, the town paid about $2,000 per month for patrols. This year, the city wants $2,580 per month. That’s an increase of more than $6,000 for the year — for a total of $30,960. Obviously, the increase and lack of ...