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Opinion

Bring on a regional control board

Commentary

Do we need a regional control board? Yes — and for good reason. The level of greed, deceit, and outright tomfoolery that took place during the COVID lockdown still turns my stomach. While everyday people were trying to survive, some of our so‑called representatives seemed more focused on insider deals, kickbacks, bonus checks, and personal gain. In January 2025, the Dunkirk OBSERVER reported on the New York state audit of Sheridan and announced an upcoming town meeting. Many of us attended, hoping for answers about the questionable dealings involving Sheridan and the North County ...

Higher city costs even with a cut

The OBSERVER’s View

Over the last two years, the city of Dunkirk has seen some of the largest tax increases in the region. Following the financial crisis of 2024, rates skyrocketed 84% in 2025. This year, another minimal hike was passed on to residents. Despite these higher costs, some services to city residents have been eliminated. Last month, a discussion was held on the closure of the Lucas Avenue brush drop-off site. “I know there’s negativity on that from certain people. But we should at least try” to find a brush drop-off option for Dunkirk residents, said Natalie Luczkowiak, councilwoman ...

Area cannot keep up with ‘expenses’

Peoples column

Editor, OBSERVER: I read the OBSERVER article about police coverage for the town of Dunkirk. It seems everyone in our local municipalities are experiencing substantial increases to cover costs in a somewhat dwindling population. I know they will work out some arrangement. It’s a necessary resource. But isn’t the real question: “Do we need two overlapping municipalities with their duplicative expenses?” Seems to me in a more comprehensive restructuring, I’m sure we could save a good portion of these costs. Those savings could then be used to upgrade civil servant ...

Video on McGuire worth watching

Commentary

GENESEO — Let’s pick up where we left on Labor Day weekend 2025. Rev. Jason McGuire, a former Livingston County Conservative party chair, and the current executive director of New York Families Foundation and New York Families Action, is bright, personable, cheerful, dedicated, and principled, all of which make him an effective advocate. And an effective opponent of the powers that be in New York. What did the New York attorney general’s office do? McGuire said that after a false complaint against him, the attorney general’s office investigated him and those connected to ...

Prophetic energy warning beleaguers state

Editor's corner

Public Service Commission member John B. Howard was quickly aware of the shock value that loomed for utility users following a decision made on a February 2023 afternoon. After the panel approved $6.6 billion in transmission upgrades to reduce congestion in three regions by a 4-2 vote for ...

Life advice from a wise old frog

Commentary

When I hop to my computer each morning, I promise myself I won’t fritter away my time. Fuggedaboudit. I get some of my best ideas while frittering. On Monday, I didn’t have frittering time to spare. I was cleaning up some of my messier computer files when I stumbled across an article I copied last May from the Baltimore Sun newspaper. I had completely forgotten about it. Upon rereading, I knew why I kept it. It brought back a lot of fun memories. It is about one of my favorite people: Kermit the Frog, star of stage, screen, and swamp. Yes, Kermit acts like he is one of us. But ...