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The OBSERVER’s View

Is county budget plan realistic?

County Executive PJ Wendel is proposing a 58-cent tax rate decrease and no tax levy increase in his 2027 budget. Not increasing the levy is due, in part, to increased use of the county’s surplus while the county’s tax rate decrease is due, in part, to a 14% increase in the value of property in the county. It’s a good position for the county to be in - because we are pretty sure when we see budget proposals from Jamestown and Dunkirk in a couple of weeks the pictures won’t be nearly that pretty. In addition, the county plans to spend an additional $100,000 on Chautauqua Lake ...

Encouraging news from south county

We are encouraged by the news that Carroll and Kiantone are creating a committee to examine additional shared services between the towns. It's early, and we don't know where these discussions will go in the future, but for now the fact that the towns are brainstorming more ways to collaborate is a positive development. Something Tim Burkett, Carroll town supervisor, said during the August Carroll Town Board meeting is worth examining as we look for more ways to provide better services and save taxpayers money. Burkett said it makes sense for the two towns to share services since many ...

Town business proves its partnership

It is not often that area residents see community improvements from agreements with the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency. While the businesses and employees remain inside the building — with maybe a bit of an expansion, it is often rare there is a trade-off. In the town of Dunkirk, that is exactly the case. Thanks to Supervisor Shari Miller voicing her objections to an Americold exemption agreement on behalf of herself as well as other members of the Town Board, the company is stepping up its contributions. "Since Americold has been in their location, we've had ...

The OBSERVER’s View: State effort promotes lakes, outdoors

With autumn officially underway, New York state is offering residents a taste of the outdoors this weekend. State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton this week announced Saturday as a Free Fishing Day. During any of the six designated Free Fishing Days, the fishing license requirement is waived for fishing on New York’s fresh waters. “Fishing in New York is better than ever,” Lefton said. “Whether it’s chasing salmon on a Great Lakes tributary, pursuing bass on a scenic lake, or casting a line in a local stream, there’s something here for ...

The OBSERVER’s View: Recent history shows county runs red

It was in 2018 when the tide officially turned in Chautauqua County. At that time, the Board of Elections released the official voter registration enrollment totals for 76,447 residents. For the first time since 2008, there were more registered Republicans in Chautauqua County than Democrats. Numbers that year had Republicans at 25,775 and Democrats at 25,235. It was a close margin, but the dominoes began to fall. By 2023, red was driving the results. A Post-Journal article noted then that even though there’s only 5% more registered Republicans than Democrats in Chautauqua County, ...

Successor to WCA Home a proper fit

A significant site on Temple Street in Fredonia is getting a new lease on life, thanks in part to an agreement worked up between two organizations. Last month Aspire of WNY and the WCA Home Board of Directors announced the finalization of the historic property, transferred to Aspire of WNY as a generous gift. Aspire of WNY says the WCA will remain with the location and stand for “We Connect All.” The naming pays homage to the legacy of the WCA Home and modernizes it to fit Aspire of WNY's nonprofit mission supporting children and adults with intellectual and developmental ...