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The OBSERVER’s View

WESTFIELD: Vacancy offers chance to save

The Westfield Academy and Central School District is looking for a new superintendent. This shouldn’t be a lengthy search. In fact, one could argue the district shouldn’t even post the job. In this age of sharing services, the resignation of Michael Cipolla to take a different job is an opportunity for the Westfield Academy and Central School Board of Education to possibly save money by looking to its neighbors to the east, west and south and share a superintendent. It’s an 8.6 mile drive from Ripley Central School to Westfield Academy and Central School, an 8.2 mile drive ...

education Math hysteria starts to add up

For far too many students in the American public school system, the math has stopped mathing. There is new concern about the subject of mathematics — and that evolving concern should be regarded seriously. According to an article in the Dec. 5 edition of the Wall Street Journal, a closely watched international exam has produced the conclusion that American students’ math scores took a bigger hit from the pandemic than their peers overseas. The exam in question is called the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, or TIMSS. It is touted as a broad math and ...

FREDONIA Finances offer dose of reality

Despite the bleak situation facing the village of Fredonia, there is wisdom from its mayor. For decades, village leaders have ignored the issues — whether it be the water problems, high taxes and fees or the overspending. Consider these comments from Michael Ferguson during a special meeting earlier this month regarding a loss of village population while government operations grew. “Expenses have increased, in some places, 15 to 40% within our government. You cannot expect brand new and shiny when you have lost over 2,000 of your constituents. … “We are certainly not in the ...

CHRISTMAS Season is reason for hope in world

On this oftentimes dreadful planet, it is hard to imagine how the words “Peace on Earth” have any true relevance anymore. To many people on this Christmas Day, that phrase is considered obsolete, just a minuscule remnant of a better time, although looking at this planet as a whole, there never has been a time of absolute peace, happiness and joy. Belief in the meaning of Christmas and all that it represents is far from being universal. Many people don’t believe that there ever was a Christ Child or that Jesus came to Earth on behalf of salvation for mankind. But for those who ...

DUNKIRK: Consoling assessor must get to work

Dunkirk Assessor Erica Munson was a calming voice in a chasm of anger regarding the 84% property tax hike recently approved in the city. She spoke during the Common Council meeting last week. “First and foremost to our residents: I see you, I hear you, I appreciate the calls, I appreciate the emails, social media. … Please reach out,” she said. “I can’t stress enough how much I don’t want our residents to have to live in fear. There’s a lot of misunderstanding and there’s a lot of misinformation. Our percentage is such a high number that it’s automatically torturing a ...

DUNKIRK: No forgiving irresponsibility

It was far from a sucker punch. But the city of Dunkirk’s approval of its budget — put forth by its mayor and council — still brings a lot of pain. An 84% property tax increase being levied on residents who have a median income of $49,000, a poverty rate of 25% and senior population greater than 18% is downright offensive. Listening to the excuses and the woe-is-me attitude of some council members last week is just as disrespectful. After doing nothing to reduce that huge tax burden, five-year Common Council member Nancy Nichols made this remark: “We didn’t put ourselves in ...