County panel seeks levy hike, using less reserves

October 16, 2026

MAYVILLE – After about 17 hours of budget review, the legislative committee that oversees county finances is recommending using less reserves, increasing the levy, and not cutting the tax rate as much as proposed by the county executive. All six of the county legislature committees participated in the budget review process last week. While each committee focused on their specific area (public safety, human services, etc.), the Audit and Control Committee attended each review session and then had its own discussion on the budget. Dan Pavlock, R-Ellington, serves as the chairman of ...

Molitor signs GOP letter on data center power agreements

October 16, 2026

Assemblyman Andrew Molitor is among the Republicans in the state Assembly members signing on to a letter asking the New York Power Authority for more transparency about power subsidies for data centers. Assemblyman Ed Ra, R-Garden City and Assembly minority leader, recently sent a letter to ...

Wdowiasz proposes budget with 11% tax hike

October 16, 2026

Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz calls for an 11.27% property tax increase in her 2027 city budget proposal. Ellen Luczkowiak from the city Finance Department forwarded the proposal, along with the mayor’s statement on it, to the OBSERVER late Friday morning. Wdowiasz proposes a tax levy of ...

Borrello notes new opportunity for grape growers

October 16, 2026

State Sen. George Borrello is alerting regional grape growers to a new processing opportunity that could provide a much-needed outlet for grapes left without a buyer following significant disruptions in the market this growing season. Borrello has been actively engaged in the issue over the ...

SUNY weathers storm, but more clouds on horizon

October 16, 2026

As the leadership team came forward last week for recognition of the State University of New York at Fredonia’s bicentennial year, CHQ Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Heitzenrater made a request to those seated at tables in the audience. If you were a graduate ...

Exhibit recalls early days of Fredonia college

October 15, 2026

The Darwin Barker Museum in Fredonia is celebrating SUNY Fredonia’s 200th anniversary with a reminder that the university has seen gigantic changes since its 19th century inception. The museum’s Max Walters gave the OBSERVER a tour that started back in 1822, four years before the school ...