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Opinion

Go slow on battery storage city site

Commentary

An article in the OBSERVER and another in The Buffalo News has brought information about a battery storage facility meant for an area off Brigham Road across the street from the entire west side of Dunkirk. Less than a mile away sits the Dunkirk Junior-High School, and the School 5. I’m all for progress for the city. We all know we need development. But I am NOT in favor of desperate measures. Those of you unsure what such a facility is should Google it to get a clearer picture of what it entails. Let’s remind ourselves of other rushes to building — or tearing down. Without ...

Schools: Smooth start for merger talks

The OBSERVER’s View

After almost a year of kicking the tires on a potential merger, support for a combined Clymer, Sherman and Panama school district remains strong among those who are engaging in the process early. Voters on the 2025 school budgets in the districts approved starting the discussion process with 73% approval in May 2025. Almost a year later, results from a community survey distributed to households in the three districts showed 78% of the 798 households responding still supporting the idea of a merger. That’s an encouraging sign as the talks head into the merger study phase. Residents ...

Heaven is even better than you can imagine

Commentary

Father Dan Walsh and Father Bob Owczarczak are the two best priests I have ever known. They are both huge Bills fans. So I will put it this way. Father Dan is like the Jim Kelly of priests. A wise, old, retired superstar. Father Bob is like Josh Allen. The new, young, dynamic superstar. Father Dan has helped me so many times during my life that I can’t thank him enough. Father Bob came on the scene locally during my last few years as the principal of Northern Chautauqua Catholic School. I have a hard time calling him Father since I am old enough to be his father. Father Bob has ...

Big money factoring into U.S. decisions

Commentary

It’s OK to change your mind. When you’re faced with overwhelming evidence that you’ve been lied to, it’s OK to admit that you were misled, especially by a world-class con artist. There is no shame in that for you, only for the liar, who unfortunately is incapable of shame. Before you let the cognitive dissonance that must be existing in your brain, affect your mental health, relieve the pressure by putting the blame squarely on the deceiver; the one who made the promises that it has become evident were not meant to be kept. Denial and excuses only cover up so much, then reality ...

FREDONIA: A need for law, financial order

The OBSERVER’s View

We all know it takes forever to get things done — in New York state and in Chautauqua County. Change never comes easy. For decades the old Fredonia police station has been a source of frustration. It is antiquated, outdated and built for the 19th century. There is no question officers and staff deserve better. That being said, we are at a point where two municipalities are scrimping by — the village as well as the city of Dunkirk. Last week, Mayor Michael Ferguson pinpointed a possible location near the Fire Department for a new station. Do not do it. Once a new station is ...

Turbine recycling not always in plans

Commentary

Hopefully this commentary will be eye-opening regarding the disposal of wind turbine blades in New York state and a red flag warning regarding the many variables, unknowns and uncertainties regarding wind project decommissioning costs. It reveals how wind-hosting townships may be at grave risk of major underfunding. After the 10-year Production Tax Credit federal subsidy expires and with the increasing, mandated costs of proper waste management (especially for blades), it is more likely for owners to abandon the project. It is concerning that decommissioning cost estimates in New ...