Thirty years ago — 1994

“Stunned” was the word used to describe the condition of Chautauqua County Republican Party officials this morning following the announcement that their candidate for sheriff has withdrawn his nomination. Sheriff’s Lt. John Runkle, in a brief announcement, stated that he is backing out because he is “very concerned about a recent attempt to split members of the Sheriff’s Department into political factions.” Runkle was picked by Republicans over four other candidates at their nominating convention in June. Everyone had predicted the race between Runkle and another veteran officer, Sheriff’s Sgt. Joseph A. Gerace, would be a close one.

Forty years ago — 1984

Ground is expected to be broken in early November for the planned 60-unit public housing project in Dunkirk. This project originated in the 1970s when the city cited a need for 100 units of public housing as part of an application for several million dollars in grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grants were received, but the city failed to come up with acceptable sites for the housing.

That resulted in lawsuits being filed against the city and Dunkirk Housing Authority by the NAACP and the Department of Justice. In addition, HUD declared the city ineligible for any of that department’s many grant programs.

Fifty years ago — 1974

William Craig, president of the Fredonia Rotary Club, presented a check for $5,000 to Mayor Charles St. George as the club’s donation for the “Rotary Grove” picnic area at Russell Joy Park in Fredonia.