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The OBSERVER’s View

STATE Higher hydropower rates hurt area

We have no doubt that the New York Power Authority has its reasons to increase hydropower rates charged to customers like the city of Jamestown. But NYPA’s proposed 2025 to 2029 rate increase that would nearly triple rates charged to customers cannot be approved by the state Public Service Commission. Remember, this increase would come at the same time power costs are already increasing thanks to the state’s electrification of its electric grid, a cost homeowners and businesses see in their fuel adjustment charge on their power bills each month. The New York Association of ...

FREDONIA: Decisions of past ignored expenses

Fredonia Police Chief David Price’s history lesson last month at a Village Board workshop was right on the money. During a discussion on funding issues, Price brought up a major reason why the municipality is having trouble making ends meet. It dates back to 2015, when the village decided it would add staff to its Fire Department to raise more revenue. As is typical with government oversight, trustees then only focused on the money projected to come in. Expenses to run the program, specifically the salaries and benefits of added positions, was never a consideration. “We sit here ...

IN MEMORY: Carter always led through example

President Jimmy Carter was an honorable man whose second act in life — after one term in the White House — has served as an example for us all for more than 40 years. It remains to be seen if some of his followers as POTUS will live up to Carter’s post-political career and life. Can you imagine George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump or Joe Biden teaching Sunday school or rolling up their sleeves to build homes for Habitat for Humanity? Neither can we. But Carter did just that after Ronald Reagan’s decisive victory in 1980 made the Plains, Georgia, native a one-term ...

NEW YORK STATE Hochul’s contract veto disappointing

There are times when we think Gov. Kathy Hochul isn’t quite as controlling as former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Then we’re reminded that Cuomo’s former lieutenant governor picked up a few tricks from her old boss. Hochul’s veto of legislation that would have improved oversight of contracts entered into during a time of emergency is one of those times. “It is important in times of emergency that there is flexibility for the Executive to focus on the ongoing emergency and move quickly in the best interest of the public,” Hochul wrote in her veto message. “The requirements in ...

2025: Welcoming a new beginning

Here we are, at the dawn of a new year, a time to put the year 2024 behind while we look forward to the joys and challenges of the coming 365 days. Though the kids may not be thrilled that their return to school is fast-approaching, there is excitement in the air as we wonder what will come after the symbolic reset we experience each time we start the new year. Some were ready to leave 2024 behind. Others may be looking forward to letting the good times continue to roll after experiencing a year of plenty for themselves and their families. All of us are hoping for that happy and ...

COUNTY: Possible move to mall raises Questions

Chautauqua County officials are mulling an offer to move most of the county’s Jamestown offices into the Chautauqua Mall. The fact that such a move makes financial sense for the owners of the Chautauqua Mall speaks volumes about the state of retail businesses in Chautauqua County right now. There are seemingly as many restaurants and service agencies in the mall as retailers, a sign that big box retailing in Chautauqua County just doesn’t pay like it used to. But the county’s move is a curious one on one front. For years the county kept offices in Dunkirk and Jamestown ...