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DUNKIRK: ‘Celebration’ aids those in need

The OBSERVER’s View

An event this weekend is a trip back in time — while supporting an important cause. On Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club in Dunkirk, a “Let’s Glow Crazy” event that is an ‘80s-themed fundraiser begins rocking. According to organizers, the event benefits Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, specifically The Friendly Kitchen and the Emergency Food Pantry. Both programs provide meals, groceries, and support to local residents struggling with food insecurity. “This event is a celebration of community and compassion,” said organizer Lorie Mets. ...

Lake Placid filled with golden moments

Commentary

The tiny village was named after its tranquil little lake. My dictionary defines placid as serene, gentle, calm. Writing last week’s column about the 1980 Olympics brought back memories that were anything but peaceful. The downtown streets were loud, crowded and fun. It doesn’t seem possible that four and a half decades have slid by since easy-going Lake Placid played host. I was reminded of those many years as Scott Hamilton remarked about this year’s figure skating competition in Italy. When we saw his Olympic debut in Lake Placid, he was 21 years old and stood at his tallest ...

Speaking up on events — while you can

Commentary

The front page of a recent Friday edition of the OBSERVER was loaded with a lot of very interesting news. The first thing that caught my eye, as it usually does on Friday, was John D’Agostino’s Editor’s corner. It was another of his takes on the budgetary insanity that continues to characterize New York at many levels. In the article he compared New York to its neighbor Pennsylvania with regard to state spending. In New York the proposed 2027 budget calls for expenditures totaling $260 billion to serve a population of 19.5 million while across the border Pennsylvania a ...

Reason for hope in SUNY numbers

Commentary

This Valentine’s Day has brought some great news to love with an increase of 1.2% in spring enrollment for the SUNY Fredonia campus under the leadership of the current administration. This is indeed very positive news amid the nationwide enrollment crisis, especially for the regional ...

COUNTY: Spending addiction keeps taking flight

The OBSERVER’s View

We can’t disagree with Chautauqua County choosing to spend $31,625 in order to receive $1.265 million from the federal government. The county would, frankly, be stupid to turn down that deal, just as school districts receiving 95% state aid on a project would be dumb to turn down building projects that are largely paid for by state taxpayers. On the other hand we have no idea what the heck the federal government is thinking. In 2018 the federal government decided that Chautauqua County wasn’t meeting the requirements of the Essential Air Service subsidy – a decision that ended ...

Resurrecting the Dunkirk power plant

Commentary

Our State Senator, county officials and others have advocated that the old NRG power plant in Dunkirk be reopened as a natural gas/electric plant. It is a proposal that should be considered. I can still remember the day when then Governor Andrew Cuomo went to Dunkirk and promised a big crowd that the plant would be converted from coal to natural gas...a plan that never got off the ground. What you see now, still looming over the Dunkirk harbor, is the shell of the former coal/electric plant. It is doubtful that a natural gas plant would need be housed in such a big structure...but ...