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Highs and lows: Some of the best, worst of the week

Here are some of the best – and worst – of the week:

BEST

HELPING ALICE – On Friday, the Fredonia Lady Hillbillies’ alumni game had special meaning. Part of the proceeds from the event are going toward “Alice’s Army: Winning the battle against leukemia.” Alice Moore, a 2012 graduate and former Lady Hillbilly, was recently diagnosed with leukemia. As coach Carol Zirkle stated, “Once you’re part of this team, you’re always part of the program.” We wish Alice the best and know she is in our thoughts and prayers.

MUSICAL FINALIST – Students and parents of Westfield Academy Central School know how good music teacher Kent Knappenberger is. Pretty soon the entire country could learn this as well. Knappenberger has made it to the final elimination round as one of 10 finalists selected from across the nation to win the first ever Music Educator Award – presented by The Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation. Because he’s a finalist he’s already won $1,000 for both himself and the Westfield Academy Central School District. Should he win the award, it will mean a $10,000 honorarium. Congratulations and good luck to Knappenberger.

MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT – Dunkirk/Fredonia native Sean Patrick McGraw will shortly be releasing a new album. Titled “Hard Way to Make an Easy Living,” the album is expected to be released in January. The first single “I’m that guy” is currently available on iTunes. We look forward to his new album and look forward to seeing him play when he is able to make it back to the area.

WORST

UNFINISHED ROAD WORK – On Washington Avenue in Dunkirk, at the intersection of E. Second Street, workers recently dug a trench all along the street. The problem is the road isn’t closed, so when vehicles travel on Washington Avenue, they don’t realize this roadwork until they’ve hit the trench. Some vehicles have even gotten stuck. Officials should have either finished the work or put up blockades to prevent vehicles from hitting this trench.

Highs and lows: Some of the best, worst of the week

Here are some of the best – and worst – of the week:

BEST

GIVING SPIRIT – We applaud residents and community members who have been giving generously to those in need this holiday season. The Chautauqua County Town and Village Highway Association collected around 600 toys and gave $500 to the Salvation Army. Acts like this ensure children in our area will indeed have a Merry Christmas!

SNOW BREAK – After three large storms this month, Mother Nature is giving us a break. It will be nice to be able to clean out roads, driveways, parking lots and sidewalks before the next storm hits. Hopefully, though, the warm weather won’t melt away all our snow and we can still have a white Christmas!

SMALLER LEGISLATURE – We say good-bye to a 25-member Chautauqua County Legislature. For years, we, along with residents, have been advocating for a smaller legislature board. The new 19-member board goes into effect Jan. 1. Although we could easily argue that 19 members is still too large, at least it’s a start.

WORST

BAD ENDING – Unfortunately for the Dunkirk Lady Marauders, the varsity team came up on a losing effort to the Silver Creek Black Knights, following a bad decision by the referees. The two basketball teams were entering their third overtime, when the officials declared that the game would be concluded by “sudden death” – the next team to score a point would win the game. Both coaches argued against the ruling, but the officials insisted this is the rule. Later after the game it was determined that this rule is in place for modified basketball, not varsity. We don’t want to be too hard on these officials, but in the end, they got the rule wrong. Hopefully this won’t happen again.

Highs and lows: Some of the best, worst of the week

Here are some of the best – and worst – of the week:

BEST

STANDING FIRM – Last weekend was a busy weekend. Many people were participating in community festivals, others were shopping, and it was also the last weekend for regular deer season. But even in the midst of all the business, hundreds of community members braved the elements and gathered at the Dunkirk Pier to show their support for NRG to become a natural gas plant. Gov. Cuomo, are you listening?

FREDONIA ‘MIRACLES’ – We want to applaud those who helped plan this year’s “Miracle on Main Street” in Fredonia. It was a great time for young and old alike. We also want to acknowledge Hospice and its role with the festival. New this year, the annual lighting of the village tree took place with Hospice Light A Life and a Hospice presentation. Christmas is a difficult time for many people who have lost loved ones. The tree helped the community remember those who have passed on in a positive way.

ELEMENTARY SINGING – For the past two years, Cassadaga Valley has not had an elementary chorus concert for parents and community members. But this year with the return of Nicole Zenns to the school district, a concert took place at the Sinclairville Elementary School. It’s important to teach children when they are young about music. We say good job to the children who participated and good job to school officials for helping to make this happen.

LOSS

FORMER OFFICER PASSES – Ann Marlene (Brooks) West of Fredonia died Dec. 5. She was well known in the community for her years as a member of the Fredonia Police Department. In 1983, Ann joined the Fredonia Police Department and was the first female officer in Chautauqua County. In 1996 she became the first woman in the Cattaraugus-Chautauqua County region to be elevated to the rank of sergeant. Her specialization was family and children’s issues which continued until her retirement in 2003. Ann was a great role model for young women and paved the way for other female officers in the region. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

Highs and lows: Some of the best, worst of the week

Here are some of the best – and worst – of the week:

BEST

PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE – We applaud those organizations which continue to remember the lives lost on Dec. 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor. Today, a commemoration and memorial service will start at 11 a.m. at the Samuel Cimino VFW Post 6472, 13 N. Main St. Silver Creek. A second service will take place at Dunkirk American Legion Post 62, 211 Central Ave. in the Legion Hall.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM – This past week, Raymond “Sam” Weber turned 105 years old. A World War II veteran, he resides at St. Columban’s on the Lake in Sheridan. He gave some excellent advice as well when he said, “God put you on earth to enjoy it, so enjoy the world, love everyone and don’t be mad at anyone.” May we all take Sam’s words to heart.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY – As Black Friday and Cyber Monday continue to grow, so has Small Business Saturday, a push for residents to support more than just the big box stores and on-line sales. It’s important for the local community to shop locally. Small businesses are the backbone of our nation. Money spent here stays here, so buy locally this holiday season.

WORST

MAKING VOGTLI WAIT – Residents in the town of Collins elected Janet Vogtli in the November elections after former town Councilman Robert Gaylord resigned. But the Collins Town Board voted against swearing Vogtli in before January in a 2-2 vote, with Councilmembers Ken Martin and Mary Stelley voting against bringing her on now. Martin believed the position should remain vacant so the town could save on the salary position, about $800. If you’re interested in saving salary, have town officials serve without pay, like school board members. You could also look at reducing the size of the town board. But if someone has won the election, the spot is vacant and that person is willing to start immediately, just have her start. There’s no sense in waiting.

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