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The OBSERVER’s View

NORTH COUNTY: Still going our separate ways

We’re all in this together, but we still want to go our separate ways. That best describes our northern Chautauqua County community that allows the proliferation of government while population trends keep declining. A most recent example was a potential partnership between the towns of ...

THANKSGIVING Celebrating spirit of holiday

This week kicks off the busy holiday season, although, considering the many Early Black Friday sales that have enticed shoppers in recent weeks, many people no doubt wonder whether the holiday season somehow expanded to a quarter of the year, rather than having remained confined to about a ...

New YORK STATE Take out red tape for sharing services

We have no doubt that the state Legislature will pass legislation that is needed to free up more than $600,000 the former Mayville Fire Department has in reserve funds for equipment and a new ambulance. Mayville Mayor Rick Syper said the state does not permit the village to give that money to ...

Elections Those engaged went at the polls

Roughly a quarter of registered voters took part in the Nov. 4 election. It’s disappointing, of course, to see so few participate in the election of local leaders who will decide the future of Chautauqua County and its cities, towns and villages. We’ve made it easier than ever to vote, but ...

DUNKIRK: One more reason to examine costs

Dunkirk’s double-edged sword in the payments in lieu of taxes provides some added angst for city taxpayers. Refresco, an important business and community partner, has a 15-year agreement in exchange for redeveloping a Talcott Street building formerly used by Kraft and ConAgra. That deal made ...

Westfield: Village continues at improving

It is obvious that downtowns across upstate New York are desperate to reinvent themselves. Small stores are in short supply and without foot traffic, restaurants can suffer. Then there is Westfield, an energetic village that has seen a renaissance in recent years. This weekend, its ...