People’s Column
Remembering
a city ‘angel’
Editor, OBSERVER:
This is a most unusual way to express a condolence to the family of Veronica “Ronnie” Ginley.
I could easily call it a tribute to a dear friend who if she had wings she would have been an angel! I am presently spending the winter in Arizona and will be unable to attend Ronnie Ginley’s funeral. A lady with a big heart overflowing with love and care for those in need is one of many ways to describe her.
My testimonial to her began in 1952 when I was in Korea during the war. My wife and child lived in an apartment below the Ginley’s on Townsend Street. The allotment she received, from the government, plus what I could send her was far from being adequate even at that time. My wife always said she did not know what she would have done with out the gracious help she received from Ronnie.
Besides the food needed to sustain life for her and the baby her friendship was undaunted. She is one of many from the Greatest Generation who survived by helping each other and she is special to my family. Ronnie was our special guest at our 50th wedding anniversary and at my wife’s funeral.
May God bless you Ronnie.
JACK BENSON,
Colden,
former Fredonia resident
Drug demand
is not slowing
Editor, OBSERVER:
Despite the heroic efforts of our law enforcement and drug task force the problem continues to grow.
The reason is simple, the resolution of the situation is not. The law of supply and demand are at work in this instance as they are in any economy.
As long as there is a demand, the supply will follow. Law enforcement focuses on the supply side. Many significant “busts” have resulted yet the supply continues to flourish.
Until and unless the demand goes away, there will be a supply network. Take away the demand and the supply dries up overnight. The solution then is to eliminate the demand. Much has been tried with some success. What more we can do is the answer that I do not now have.
ROGER G CHAGNON Jr.,
Westfield
People’s Column
Generosity earns a thank you
Editor, OBSERVER:
On Saturday, Nov. 1, a member of our community shopping in a local supermarket generously and anonymously contributed to an event at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Dunkirk.
Who she is I do not know – but who she is, she knows. To her, I say, many thanks for your kind generosity to St. John’s Episcopal Church!
THE REV. HELEN SAM,
Fredonia
State lags again in new study
Editor, OBSERVER:
This is from the Oct. 27 Wall Street Journal. “On Tuesday the Tax Foundation releases its 2015 State Business Tax Climate Index and once again Wyoming leads the nation in welcoming commerce. Last year the state’s economy recorded real Gross Domestic Product growth of 7.6 percent, according to the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis”.
Now the kicker. “You won’t find growth like that in New York or New Jersey, the high-tax locales that once again finished 49th and 50th among the states. New Jersey eked out real GDP growth of 1.1 percent last year, while New York’s economy grew an anemic 0.7 percent.”
So New York state is dead last in real economic growth. The least friendly business environment in the country helped New York to earn this dubious distinction. Could the local, county and state tax departments please get out of the way so the state has a reasonable opportunity to compete for business with the rest of the nation? I hope our county executive and Legislators take note when they consider handing out raises next year. This county needs to attract business and it won’t be done by making government fatter.
DAVID HOSMER,
Brocton
People’s Column
Editor, OBSERVER:
Hello friends and strangers.
Sunday would be my best friend’s 44th birthday. Seven years ago, three days after her 37th birthday, she passed away. My best friend was Mary Czysz.
For those of that never got a chance to meet Mary, you missed a wonderful opportunity to know a beautiful person. Mary was a very special person; she was born with a rare disappearing bone disease. The doctors thought that she wouldn’t live to see the age of 10. Through her determination, stubbornness, strength and courage she lived to see 37.
For those of you who did get a chance to meet her, you all know how awesome she really was. I know that she was and still is my inspiration.
I am asking, if you are reading this to do something to honor my best friend. One thing. One Random Act of Kindness. One Random Act in Honor of Mary Czysz.
After you perform your Random Act of Kindness I am asking that you send me an email to let me know what you did. Send these emails to: marysrandomactofkindness@gmail.com
TRACY L MacDONALD,
Cassadaga
People’s Column
Pain remains from town’s loss
Editor, OBSERVER:
Joyce and Gordy Skinner were friends and neighbors of mine. Hats off to Judge John Ward, District Attorney David Foley, police investigators and the jury for all their time and efforts spent to bring Davide Coggins and the others to justice.
Hopefully the little community down here will get over it and move on, but it’s going to take more time than the four hours the jury spent on their decision.
CAREY FAUST,
Frewsburg
Are businesses awaiting district?
Editor, OBSERVER:
I’d like to comment on the latest proposal for a regional water district.
I understand County Executive Vince Horrigan has said with this water district we will be able to attract new businesses to the area. But the closing of Carriage House facilities has nothing to do with water problems: Carriage House closed because ConAgra, the parent company and multimillion dollar business that bought all the competition, closed them down.
Every election cycle we hear of the need for jobs, jobs, jobs. Where are they? Now we are being told we need a water district with Dunkirk and Fredonia being the lead providers and a possible 60 percent rate increase.
I am from the Brocton-Portland area. We have a great reservoir. It is well maintained and we have never had a problem with water even with the hottest days of summer. Now people are telling us to shut it down and mothball it? I hope local leaders in Portland stay with Brocton. Let’s not worry about a water district that will not lower rates but raise them!
How many companies are just waiting for a water district to be formed before they move into the area? The public would like to know.
PETE MUSSO,
Portland
People’s Column
Sharing not always an answer
Editor, OBSERVER:
Two weeks ago, you listed the Fredonia Village Board as “Worst” (Oct. 26) because they refused to listen to Trustee Marc Ruckman’s suggestion that we consider sharing a roller rather buying a new one.
The idea of sharing should always be considered; however, and this is in no way meant to criticize Trustee Ruckman, but he never brought it up during our budget process, at our Monday night workshop or during our meeting. I would suggest that you check with your reporter who covers our budget meetings, workshops and meetings. He takes outstanding notes and recordings, and it would make sense to check with him before branding us the “Worst.”
If the question of sharing a roller would have come up at our meeting, it would have been pointed out that our roller was not in operation and we were using the town of Pomfret’s roller. Unfortunately, during that week, as our DPW was paving a municipal parking lot with a load of hot patch, they were notified that the town needed their roller, which is understandable.
There are certain pieces of equipment that we may be able to share, and there is much sharing that takes place among our municipalities, but not everything is appropriate for sharing that are needed for seasonal purposes.
I think an apology to our board is appropriate, but certainly is not anticipated.
STEPHEN KEEFE,
mayor,
Fredonia
Coverage assisted food challenge
Editor, OBSERVER:
I want to thank the newspaper for its support of the Feeding Fredonia Challenge. We exceeded our goal of raising 5,000 pounds of food because of the generosity of the community, and the excellent coverage of the OBSERVER during the whole effort.
The professionalism of the staff and the careful reporting were appreciated and vital to our success. Many thanks.
CYNTHIA WICKWIRE LUNDQUIST,
Fredonia
‘Foundling’ piece
deserves praise
Editor, OBSERVER:
George Sebouhian’s piece “A Foundling during the Depression” (Oct. 18) was absolutely riveting. My heart aches for the abuses he suffered as a child, including the fact that he was never given an explanation for what was happening to him.
We’ve learned so much in years since about what caring for the whole child means. I also appreciate so much how the dire social need for some way to care for Civil War era foundlings – another casualty of war we don’t usually hear about – was responded to by some group of caring persons … one supposes, anyway.
I can hardly wait for the next installment.
RIANNA MOORE, Ph.D.,
Fredonia