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Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1993 Phil D. Julian Sr. of Dunkirk has found a unique way to deliver a message to his state legislators. In response to what he believes to be inexorable state tax rates, a dying economy and a series of layoffs from his job at a local steel plant, Mr. Julian decided to share his sentiments with all residents of the Empire State, or as he prefers to call it, the Vampire State. He turned his truck into a traveling billboard about three weeks ago. The painted-on message? “Taxed to Death in the Vampire State.” Forty years ago — 1983 A book-length manuscript ...

Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1993 Seven candidates will compete for the two five-year terms on the ballot this year for the Dunkirk School Board election. Superintendent Terry Wolfenden said nominating petitions from Keith Ahlstrom, April Brown, Luz DeJesus, Roosevelt Haynes, Charles Marvin, Michael Mitchell and John Murphy were received prior to the deadline. Board members Carole Jakubczyk and James Webster, whose terms expire this year, will not be seeking re-election. Forty years ago — 1983 A new “tearless” variety of onion means cooks won’t have to embarrass themselves by ...

Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1993 The trembling hand shown on the late night “infomercial” touting Dura Lube belongs to Pete Millspaugh of Angola. He owns Nu-Tech Competition Engines, the small machine shop on Route 5 in Angola where the commercial was filmed in April 1992. His trembling hand is shown on camera seconds after an oil-free engine treated with Dura Lube reaches full power. Forty years ago — 1983 Julia Krzal, one of the first employees hired at the M. Wile Co. in Dunkirk, was honored at a retirement party held at the Town and Country Restaurant. She was presented with a ...

Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1993 The Dunkirk Urban Renewal Administration held its first meeting in over a year to discuss the last few remaining items of agency business and to make plans for abolishing the agency. DURA no longer owns any property in the city and just about has all its business wrapped up. Forty years ago — 1983 Bicycling is only one exercise enjoyed by LaMar Schnur, OBSERVER photographer for 43 years. Now semi-retired, he remains at the newspaper as part-time photographer which affords him time for such exercises as biking, bowling, walking and weightlifting. “The ...

Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1993 This is moving day for a large contingent of Chautauqua County Department of Social Services workers being shifted from Mayville to new offices in Dunkirk. Two moving vans were being loaded in Mayville this morning to carry equipment from offices in the Hall R. Clothier Building to the newly-renovated 1 Liberty Square building in Dunkirk. The move will provide a marked savings for the county in, among other things, mileage payments for travel from Mayville to their largely Dunkirk-based clients. It will also make it more convenient for clients to obtain a ...

Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1993 Awards for valor have been presented to two Chautauqua County sheriff’s deputies, Lawrence S. Klajbor of Dunkirk and James Rensel, both of whom risked their lives to save citizens from possible death. Deputy Rensel helped save residents of a burning apartment house in Jamestown while Deputy Klajbor rescued a victim from a burning car following an accident on Pecor Street in the town of Portland. Both officers received bound certificates and special bars to wear on their uniforms. Forty years ago — 1983 The fate of the Westfield Depot on English Street ...