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Tumult keeps harming Fredonia reputation

The OBSERVER’s View

After a sudden resignation by one trustee and another on medical leave, there has been a lack of activity regarding the Fredonia Village Board. Last week, the meeting was canceled — likely due to lack of a quorum. While the schedule is supposed to resume Monday with a workshop gathering, there is no question the internal and external turmoil of the village is impacting how things are getting done. Contentious meetings, that included a notorious scuffle, led to Jon Espersen saying enough was enough. Unrelated to that, Trustee Ben Brauchler appears to be on the mend. But the dynamic ...

U.S. history of division, freedom always tested

Editor's corner

Boos mixed in with some faint cheers reached a crescendo on Monday night during Game Three of the National Basketball Association Finals in Madison Square Garden in New York City. Crowd reactions were for President Donald Trump who was in attendance and briefly pictured on the ...

My two cents regarding soaring costs

Commentary

This week I have a few thoughts about money, which is always an interesting subject. As editor John D’Agostino recently pointed out while our governor complains about affordability in light of rising gas, grocery, utility and car insurance costs, she ignores the fact that much of the ...

The beast finally settles in

Commentary

Last July I wrote about Finian, our Maine Coon cat, and his stubborn need to be outside. For some reason he is well-behaved at the front door – as long as visitors don’t stand chatting with the storm door open. I mean, give the furry kid a break. A 10-minute open door is temptation even a well-tamed feline couldn’t resist. But who am I kidding? A well-tamed cat? There is no such animal. Dear Richard and I are the only ones who are trained in this relationship. We have learned to work around Finian’s strict schedule. His day directing us begins early. If Finian decides to ...

The OBSERVER’s View: Positive developments with city positions

The OBSERVER’s View

There is a bright spot to Dunkirk’s recent fiscal failures since 2024 that have begun to appear. It is simply this: those connected to the city, want to come back and help out. That was the case more than a month ago when the neighboring town by the same name. Jennifer Jakubowski resigned as deputy clerk there and is compelled to rebuild the struggling municipality.. “I have witnessed what it takes to run a municipality effectively, and the positive impact it has on the residents who are fortunate to call this town home,” Jakubowski said in her letter to the town, noting she ...

The OBSERVER’s View: Support flows for vote on Fredonia water

The OBSERVER’s View

With 10 boil orders in the last 39 months, there are no doubts the village of Fredonia is notoriously known for its water. The situation, which has worsened in the last decade, has chased business out of the village, led to decreased enrollment at the State University of New York campus and frustrations for residents. Over the last three years, there has been an effort by the current administration to have the North County Water District as a supplier to the village. That would come at a cost while eliminating the revenues that come from the current village system. How to move forward? ...