I, for one, am tired of a small group of Fredonia residents holding our community’s water supply hostage because they didn’t get what they wanted.

I am tired of this group publicly stating untruths, making unsubstantiated claims, and bullying people into joining their cause. What makes me especially sad is that they continue to verbally abuse our Village Board and mayor, both at the meetings and in the media.

They imply that the trustees don’t know anything, they imply that the trustees don’t care, and they imply that the trustees don’t have the well being of the village at the center of what they do. That is truly reprehensible, and just plain mean. The trustees and mayor live here, and they drink the water here, too. Whatever they choose to do will affect them, their families, and their future as well.

Though not popular these days, it is possible to disagree with someone without being rude. I went to the board meeting on Feb. 20, and I witnessed the following: bullying, verbal abuse, insinuation, arguing when the allotted time to speak was up, and shouting out of turn during the meeting by one attendee.

One person who spoke had a lot of nerve because they said they lived outside the village and had their own well water. This person then proceeded to verbally abuse our board. They should not have been allowed to speak at all. All of this happened in front of at least five high school students attending the meeting for one of their classes. What a terrible example.

I am resentful that they have filed an unnecessary lawsuit that will further usurp village resources. I am sad that they have resorted to disparaging remarks, again unsubstantiated, about the water in Dunkirk. I am sad because this is detrimental to progress toward a new hospital, toward developing new business, supporting our existing businesses, supporting the college, cultivating a good relationship with our neighbors, and toward being a unified community.

In reference to the signers of the March 23 letter in the Observer, you will remember that the voters rejected Athanasia Landis for mayor twice. As a reminder, I quote her Facebook page on Nov. 5, 2019, when she was defeated in the village mayor’s race: “In fairness to tonight’s election, and to me, starting tomorrow I will only do my very basic duties, meetings and paper signing when needed. Grants, infrastructure projects, hospital, communications with the State, and other meetings should be taken over by anyone who is willing to do so.” You may come to your own conclusions.

You will remember that the voters rejected James Lynden for trustee last November. A number of the remaining signers chose not to run. I appreciate their knowledge and experience, but I do not want people that we did not elect to make the decisions for our village.

In reference to the raised hand vote on Dec. 18, 2023, the trustee is correct in saying that that is not a representative result. That meeting had no advertisement as a vote for or against anything. Approximately 50 people do not represent the entire population of Fredonia.

I would encourage the Trustees to continue to diligently do their homework, and to do what is best for our community, to the best of their ability. We, the majority of the citizens of the village, voted you into office, and ask you to do so.

I would also encourage those who don’t agree with this small group of people to stand up and say so. It’s time to move forward. Do your research and read the water report. Come to the meetings and voice your opinion.

Helen Ihasz is a Fredonia resident.