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Opinion

Overspending city needs a watchdog

The OBSERVER’s View

A comptroller, that is sorely needed in the city of Dunkirk, has riled up some so-called penny pinchers. This week, council approved the appointment of Tracy Smith-Dengler for the position. It did not come without drama. In voting against the hiring, Third Ward Councilman Gary Frederickson was concerned about the salary for the position. “It seemed that nobody in this building was able to give me what I thought should be a relatively simple answer to a question: How much are we going to pay this comptroller per year?” he asked. A search of salary sites online would give you an ...

People's column

Peoples column

Village keeps working on water Editor, OBSERVER: We’ve had a good handful of water boil orders and I just wanted to run through some of the issues we have been having and provide some information. Most of our water boils over the past two to three years have been related to chlorination failures. At some point a few years ago we installed a chlorinator which ended up using a lot of consumable tubing. The failure rate of the tubing was in fact incredible and often outstripped our ability to keep supplies on hand, especially with supply chain issues that developed. We recently ...

White House spectacle overshadows big fights

Commentary

What kind of desecration is being erected in our nation’s capital now? It’s all over social media; pictures of a huge frame-like structure obstructing and dwarfing the White House itself. This is a personal front row seat for Donald Trump to his 80th birthday celebration. He will be treated to a special presentation of his favorite sport (the one he participates in vicariously, not like the one he practices almost daily on the golf course) along with 5,000 invited guests. One guess as to who they will be. Once it is over, a large portion of the cost will go toward replacing ...

State inaction tolerates mayhem in prisons

Editor's corner

Detailing a surge in violence, staff assaults, overdoses, exposures and deaths inside state prisons, New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association President Chris Summers declared the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to be in a “full-scale systemic ...

Visit Chautauqua Institution this summer

Commentary

CHAUTAUQUA—Progress often comes in steps rather than all at once. One encouraging step at Chautauqua Institution is particularly worth applauding. A few years ago a visitor came to Chautauqua other than by being invited by the institution. Shortly thereafter, the visitor was critical of the institution in a national forum. Never mind who the visitor was, what the visitor said, or what the forum was. None of those is important here. What is not only important but also noteworthy here is that the institution—the institution itself—has invited the visitor to give a ...

The OBSERVER’s View: State inconsistent on speed limits

The OBSERVER’s View

So much for the spirit of home rule. At last month’s town of Pomfret board meeting, it was announced the state will not be lowering the speed limit on Fredonia-Stockton Road. Pomfret town officials mentioned at a Town Board meeting earlier this year that the LoGuidice Center had requested a speed limit reduction in the area. It’s currently 55 mph near the school. Since it is a New York state-administered road, Highway Superintendent Jude Gardner forwarded their request to the state Department of Transportation. “Why they would send it to us doesn’t make any sense,” agreed ...