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DUNKIRK: Eyesore hotel reflects city’s woes

The OBSERVER’s View

There is no denying the abundant number of decaying structures and homes within the city of Dunkirk. Yet, within the last month, officials are seeking court permission for emergency demolition of a dilapidated former motel just off Route 5. The city filed a petition with state Supreme Court Dec. 29 to demolish a building on Point Drive West behind the Dunkirk Motel. The structure belongs to Dunkirk Motel owners Mahalaxmi Enterprise LLC. City officials have sought its removal for years. The building has 18 motel units and was constructed in 1956, “but based on property records, the ...

China has the edge on electricity

Commentary

As Americans we believe that we are always the leaders when it comes to infrastructure and technology. That is not the case with electricity. China already consumes twice as much electrical energy as the United States and is way ahead of us when it comes to the efficiency and capacity of their electric grid to transport energy, including renewable energy, across their country. The most efficient way of transporting electricity anywhere is with high voltage electric lines. The higher the voltage, the more electricity that can be transported. It is hard to build such lines in the ...

SPORTS: Spotlighting strong hoop starts in area

The OBSERVER’s View

Many in the area have their attention in the sports world on the Buffalo Bills after the exciting win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wildcard round. But there is reason to be excited when it comes to boys high school basketball in the north county. Both Fredonia and Dunkirk are off to fantastic starts — and have brought renewed energy to a rivalry that played out more than a week ago. For the first time in eight years, the Marauders were victorious over the Hillbillies. Sixto Rosario, longtime advocate and youth basketball enthusiast, is the Dunkirk coach. His emotions came ...

U.S. must avoid trap of socialism

Commentary

Editor, OBSERVER: Why are a lot of people beginning to side with the philosophy of socialism, and where is America going if that continues? It’s very tempting to be a socialist. It’s very tempting to want someone else to pay for something you might want. Free sounds good until you have to pay for it. If you think it’s expensive now, just wait until it’s free. We’ve seen time and time again, leaders try to paint society as utopias, that man can be perfected, and that government as a central body, can then fix the ills of society. What would happen if America continues to ...

State minimum wage values work

Commentary

As of January 1, New York State’s minimum wage for Upstate is $16, up from $15.50. New York State’s minimum wage was the same as the Federal minimum wage of $7.25 as recently as 2013, 13 years ago. Beginning in 2014, the State Legislature put in place increases in the State minimum wage that has brought us to $16 now. The United States Congress, in contrast, has not raised the $7.25 Federal minimum wage since 2009, 17 years ago. In the face of Federal inaction, at least 30 states have enacted state minimum wages above the Federal $7.25. That means, however, that 20 states, ...

New York State Affordability is a perfect focus

The OBSERVER’s View

We appreciate Gov. Kathy Hochul’s stated focus on affordability. We know, as do most New Yorkers, that it isn’t as easy to make ends meet these days as it was 20 years ago. Hochul has focused her affordability agenda on things like wage increases, tax cuts or tax credit expansions, including her most recent push to eliminate state income taxes on up to $25,000 of tipped income in tax year 2026, which follows federal guidance. A recent World Population Review study showed New York's cost of living index is 148.2, the second highest in the country, with housing costs that are the ...