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Time working against water system

Commentary

Let’s talk about the Fredonia water project, which we have recently begun, to switch our water source from the village’s own reservoir to Lake Erie water purchased from Dunkirk. The project is projected to run about $13 million. So far we have received grants totaling a bit more than $7 million for it, and we are bonding the rest over a 30-year period while continuing to seek additional grants. A small but vocal group has been screaming that this water is going to cost more than what you are currently paying for water. I agree, this is true, although I will point out that even if ...

Can council, mayor get on same page?

The OBSERVER’s View

Even though Mayor Kate Wdowiasz does not have to be at city Common Council meetings, according to the city charter, observertoday.com poll respondents are not of the same opinion. In answering our weekly poll question, “Even though not required, should the Dunkirk mayor attend Common Council meetings?” 85% want her there with 15% saying she can take a pass. Wdowiasz decided in May she would no longer be attending the twice-monthly gatherings, stating she does not believe enough business is getting done. After witnessing the last council meeting — with only three members in ...

The politics of data centers

Commentary

Recently, the New York State Legislature passed a one-year moratorium on building new data centers. That tends to be the way in New York. If it is controversial, let’s punt the issue down the road and deal with it later. Of course, no one voting for the proposal agreed to give up their cell phones or other devices. Everybody wants those. That’s where we get our news, weather, messages and virtually everything these days—navigating your car, streaming football games, asking “Siri” who was President 50 years ago. We can get it all—welcome to the world of data! Admittedly, ...

The OBSERVER’s View: Using caution during summer drives

The OBSERVER’s View

Days into the summer season and motorcycle safety must be on the minds of motorists. Within the last month, a pair of fatal accidents in Erie County have taken place — in the towns of Evans and Collins. Erie County Sheriff’s Department noted the most recent investigation involving a 23-year-old is under investigation that took place Saturday afternoon in Collins. How unfortunate. Recent statistics find motorcycles continue to be overrepresented in serious traffic accidents, according to Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data ...

The OBSERVER’s View: County gets tough on animal cruelty

The OBSERVER’s View

Over the past eight years, there have been only 20 entries in the Chautauqua County Animal Abuse registry – though five have been added since December. All came from the city of Jamestown. Perhaps the creation of a new deputy position in the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office to focus on animal abuse cases will increase that number. The Chautauqua County Legislature approved funding as part of the 2026 county budget. That deputy – Jim Andin – was introduced recently by Sheriff Jim Quattrone. Quattrone said most of the Sheriff’s Office deputies have a brief overview of animal ...

Bulldoze the Statue of Liberty?

Commentary

President Trump’s lawyer is trying to convince a judge that not only did President Trump, as a tenant, have the power to tear down a large part of the White House, but that President Trump has the power to “bulldoze the Statue of Liberty.” As we approach July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the 13 British colonies declaring their independence from the King of England, has Trump declared our independence from what the Statue of Liberty stands for? Here is the poem at the base of the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe ...