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NEW YORK STATE: Tier 6 reform is costly proposition

The OBSERVER’s View

Public employee unions are pushing hard for changes to the way pensions for government jobs are funded. If your social media feed has been flooded with calls for Tier 6 reform, here’s a primer. In 2010 former Gov. David Paterson’s Tier 5 plan rolled back pension benefit sweeteners approved by the state Legislature in the early 2000s, while in 2012 former Gov. Andrew Cuomo pushed through legislation creating Tier 6 in the state pension system. Cuomo further restructured benefits, restored and increased employee shares of pension fund contributions, capped “pensionable” overtime, ...

Spring construction starts on bridge

Commentary

If you have driven over the Chautauqua Lake Bridge lately, there are signs that spring construction work has started. The wooden railing along the centerline of the bridge to protect workers as they walk has been completed, cranes have started to put platform barges back into the water, and some more concrete removal has started on the south section on the Bemus side. From what I have heard, DOT officials are hoping to finish completing the restoration of the pavement and railings on the south side of the bridge this summer. If they can achieve that goal, then next winter we would be ...

DYNGUS DAY: Celebrating Polish heritage

The OBSERVER’s View

Shopping at stores over the past week, we’ve seen chocolate bunnies, egg coloring kits, jelly beans, Easter lilies and … pussy willows. While the majority of the country probably isn’t selling that many pussy willows, it’s a site that continues to be popular here in Western New York. That’s because today is Dyngus Day. According to dyngusday.com, Dyngus Day has become a wonderful holiday to celebrate Polish-American culture, heritage and traditions. Tradition states that Prince Mieszko I, along with his court, were baptized on Easter Monday. Thus, Dyngus Day and its rites of ...

SAVE Act is tough on women

Commentary

I submitted my passport application this week. The total was $190 including processing fee at the post office in addition to the eight-dollar passport photo. I am fortunate that the expense was an irritation and not part of the grocery budget. Luckily, I had a certified copy of my birth certificate on hand. I married my husband shortly after turning 18 and that is the only legal document I have bearing my maiden name. A planner by nature, I thought I would feel relieved knowing that if the SAVE Act is passed, my vote will be protected. Since crossing it off of my to-do list I’ve just ...

Taking in the dog days of retirement

Commentary

My dog Rocco stares at me a lot. It’s not because he thinks I look good. And it’s not because he wants me to take him on a romp through the woods to sniff out raccoons or other wild creatures (note: he is afraid of the squirrels in the yard, and they have perceived his cowardice, taunting him as they raid the birdfeeders.) And it’s certainly not because he has some interesting idea he is trying to convey telepathically. I know this is true because I have tried getting him to respond to animal friendly TV programs. Every Wednesday I put on Hudson and Rex reruns, but he never even ...

Having faith that NCCS could be must-see TV

Commentary

Pete Howard and I often talk about writing the script for the pilot of a television show. We already have a name for the show. North County Catholic. That’s a little dig at The Buffalo News. The News could never get the name Northern Chautauqua Catholic School correct when Pedro would ...