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Perfect solution in village parking debate

The OBSERVER’s View

For all the troubles and controversy surrounding the village of Fredonia in recent months, it is refreshing to see that the elected leaders appear to have reversed course when it comes to its parking-fee plans. On Thursday afternoon, the Mayor Michael Ferguson announced instead of motorists paying with a phone app system, a two-hour parking limit would be the norm for downtown. “I pride myself on being an advocate and supporter of shopping, dining and conducting business in our village,” Ferguson said. “I know I have spoken about the increase in business on the Route 60 corridor ...

Challengers need to spice up insipid races

Editor's corner

As the month of July melts into the sunset, August begins to turn up the heat when it comes to this campaign season. In both Pennsylvania and New York, it appears incumbents are in complete control with the election 95 days away. Republican gubernatorial challenger Bruce Blakeman is hoping ...

Heeding the warnings of past on socialism

Commentary

CHAUTAUQUA — Let’s pick up where we left off last week. Speaking to Advocates for Balance at Chautauqua, or ABC, on July 20, retired Lt. Col. Allen West discussed remarks by a U.S. senator. Coincidentally, ABC’s July 13 speaker had discussed the same remarks by the same ...

Economics make baseball a different game

Commentary

Well, it's summertime and as the song goes “the living is easy” and my mind turns to baseball. The current season has not been a happy one for New York Mets fans like me. In the preseason, the Mets were predicted to finish first or second in the NL East. Analysts expected them to comfortably secure a postseason berth. Now with the season nearly two-thirds gone the Mets own a record of just 44 wins and 62 losses for the fourth worst record in baseball. There are several reasons for this nightmarish season. Following the second half collapse in 2025 President of Baseball ...

A night out at the old ball game

Commentary

It was my first Tarp Skunks baseball game of the year – and it was their final game of the season. Timing has not always been my strong suit. Saturday evening the Jamestown Tarp Skunks were playing the Geneva Red Wings at home in Jamestown’s Diethrick Park. The Tarp Skunks are all ...

The OBSERVER’s View: Another high cost for SUNY to absorb

The OBSERVER’s View

New York state this week announced the ratification of a five-year labor agreement with the United University Professions (UUP), which includes approximately 42,000 SUNY faculty and professional employees. The agreement, which runs until July 1, 2031, was approved by 98% of UUP members who cast ballots. As part of the deal, raises in each of the five years include: 4.5%, 4%, 3.5%, 3%, and 3%. The contract also includes boosts to location pay and several other unit-specific payments “This agreement invests in the hard-working members of the United University Professions, recognizing ...