Highs and lows: Some of the best, worst of the week
Here are some of the best – and worst – of the week:
BEST
FAIR CHANGES -Every year the Chautauqua County Fair Board of Directors makes changes to the upcoming fair week. This year was no different. We’ve had new shows, new grandstand events and a new company providing rides. If you haven’t been to the fair yet this year, it’s not too late. The fair will continue to be open both today and tomorrow. Gates open at 9 a.m. and rides are open at 1 p.m.
SUPREME COURT VISITS – When was the last time Chautauqua County had not one, not two but three different current U.S Supreme Court Justices make personal visits? We don’t know if it’s ever happened before, but that is the case this year. Earlier this year Justice John Roberts visited Jamestown as part of the Robert H. Jackson anniversary. On this past Monday Justice Anthony M. Kennedy visited Chautauqua Institution and this Monday, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will speak at Chautauqua Institution.
MEALS ON WHEELS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – The Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels has a new executive director. Sarah Hornbostel is taking over for Joan Houck, who retired after 26 years of continued service to the community. Hornbostel has worked in the field of eldercare for more than nine years. She was the previous home delivery meal coordinator for Niagara County’s Office for the Aging. She has an associate’s degree from Niagara County Community College in business administration and a bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo in social science interdisciplinary with a focus in gerontology. We wish her the best as the new executive director.
WORST
PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS – The week of the Chautauqua County Fair can be very dangerous for pedestrians crossing Central Avenue, Dunkirk. In the past, a temporary stoplight was put up to help with the traffic. Perhaps in the future the city should either bring back that stoplight or put up a stop sign or a crosswalk sign, similar to what you see in Westfield on Route 20.
Highs and lows: Some of the best, worst of the week
Here are some of the best – and worst – of the week:
BEST
SHARING THE NUMBERS – On this page, we have been critical of officials with Lake Erie Regional Health System of New York Interim CEO J. Gary Rhodes for not being open about layoffs taking place at Brooks Memorial Hospital and Lake Shore Health Network in Irving. On Thursday, Rhodes met with the OBSERVER to discuss the changes they’ve made and why they’ve made them. We applaud him for his openness and we believe he, as well as all officials at LERHSNY, are in the process of making a plan to strengthen our area hospitals, even with drops in Medicaid reimbursement and a drop in population.
LIBRARY ASSISTANCE – We applaud the Friends of the Dunkirk Free Library for all of their hard work, raising funds for the Dunkirk library. The library is important to the city, but with the current economic state, it is difficult for city officials to fund it like they have in the past. Groups like Friends of The Dunkirk Free Library make it possible for the library to operate.
A GOLFER’S DELIGHT – It’s been great having the 51st Annual Polish National Alliance National Golf Tournament back in the area. Opening ceremonies took place Thursday at Shorewood Country Club in Dunkirk, with the tournament beginning on Friday. It concludes today followed by an awards dinner at the Kosciuszko Club. It may be hot outside, but it’s not too hot to golf!
WORST
U.S. SENATE SUPPORT – State Sen. Cathy Young, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, and U.S. Rep. Tom Reed have been very vocal about the proposed $500 million NRG natural gas plant in Dunkirk. They understand both the financial as well as environmental benefits for such a project. But where are U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand on this issue? On July 12 Reed, Young, Goodell, County Executive Greg Edwards and various other officials held a news conference in Dunkirk talking about the project. That same day Gillibrand was in Jamestown discussing farmers markets and how they can help fight hunger. We realize the importance of the Farm Bill, but while in the area, she could’ve made the trip to Dunkirk and thrown her support behind the project. It’s not too late. We ask both U.S. senators to send letters to the New York State Public Service Commission supporting the project.
Highs and lows: Some of the best, worst of the week
Here are some of the best – and worst – of the week:
BEST
HEARING OPPORTUNITY – It is not often the Public Service Commission makes its way out of Albany to hear from the public. But that is exactly what is happening Monday. Residents in the county have the opportunity to share their thoughts about the proposed $500 million project for NRG to construct a natural gas facility. We applaud the PSC as well as State Sen. Cathy Young, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, County Executive Greg Edwards and other officials who were able to make this happen. Don’t miss this opportunity.
GLENN COLTON CONCERT – It was a special concert last weekend at the Dunkirk Free Library as Glenn Colton performed his last show for area children. Colton is well known in this region for performing at numerous family fun events. We wish him the best as he heads into retirement.
AMARA-CAN RETURNS – This weekend marks the 20th year for the AMARA-CAN Walleye Classic fishing tournament. The tournament, which takes place in Dunkirk, draws many visitors to the region. We hope for the best for those who are participating and for those who are making a visit, we hope to see you again!
WORST
MANUFACTURING REPORT – The Conexus Indiana 2013 Manufacturing and Logistics National Report gave New York an F in two categories – tax climate and manufacturing industry health. The report also gave New York a D+ in global reach, which ranks states in manufacturing exports per capita income. New York ranked a C- in human capital, which measures education and skill level. The reality is our state is king when it comes to exporting our young educated people. Even Gov. Andrew Cuomo admitted as much during his visit to Jamestown.