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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

LAKE SHORE HEALTH CARE – About 300 employees and the greater Silver Creek area are breathing a sigh of relief. TLC Health Care Network, the parent company of Lake Shore Health Care Center, has rescinded its plan to close the hospital. Citizens and local politicians have been lobbying hard to save the hospital since the closure plan was announced last October. Although the hospital still needs to make changes to its operation and stop losing money, this is great news for the area.

MEDAL OF HONOR – Earlier this week, the White House announced that Lt. Alonzo Cushing, who was born in Wisconsin and grew up in Fredonia, will receive the Medal of Honor for his bravery in the Civil War. Lt. Cushing died at age 22 while standing his ground against Pickett’s Charge during the pivotal three-day Battle of Gettysburg. This is a well-deserved honor.

FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT – The Dunkirk city Fire Department used to use the James J. Murphy Firemen’s Training Grounds on Brigham Road until the building there was in such poor condition that it had to be demolished. Firefighters had to go to Jamestown for training. Now, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded the local area $360,000 for a mobile burn simulator. Not only will Dunkirk be able to use it, but so will volunteer fire departments from around the county. Training firefighters is important, so we’re glad they will be able to do this now close to home.

WORST

JAMMERS TO LEAVE – An end of an era is taking place in Chautauqua County. The Jamestown Jammers, a professional short-season Class A baseball team, is relocating to Morgantown, West Virginia. Attendance had been reported to be around 750 people a game, the lowest in the New York-Penn league. It ends 75 years of professional baseball in Jamestown. This is the place where a young Randy Johnson got his start. Andres Galarraga, Delino DeShields and Marquis Grissom who helped keep the Montreal Expos near the top of the National League East for years, started in Jamestown. It was Jammers’ alumnus Dave Roberts who stole second base in the 2004 ALCS that changed the course of Boston Red Sox history. Giancarlo Stanton, who played for the Jammers in 2007, is now one of the most noted power hitters in all of baseball. For those who would like to see the team one last time, the Jammers play on Sunday at 4 p.m. and Monday at 1 p.m. in Diethrick Park.

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

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

BEST

FOOTBALL SOLUTION – We’re certain that people in the Pine Valley Central School District are disappointed that their school won’t be able to field a football team this fall. At the same time, we applaud Gowanda Central School for agreeing to allow Pine Valley students to join their team. This will ensure that those Pine Valley students who want to be able to play football this fall will be given the opportunity.

MAKE A WISH – We applaud those with the Make a Wish Western New York Foundation that were able to make a special evening for 4 year old Cassidy Monroe recently. The young girl, who is battling cancer, attended a Princess Gala at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens in Depew recently. The local Make a Wish Foundation is seeking volunteers. Those interested can call Lisa Johnson, at 810-WISH or attend a volunteer information session on-line on Sept. 3. A New Volunteer Orientation will take place Sept. 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Jamestown. For more information visit www.wny.wish.org.

LIBRARIAN RETIREMENT – We wish Nancy McIntosh, the Ripley librarian, good luck in her retirement. McIntosh had worked for the Ripley library for 14 years, the last six as the librarian. During a party in her honor, McIntosh noted how things in libraries are changing, including more e-readers. “It doesn’t really matter if it’s a reader or a book, so long as they are reading,” she said. We agree.

WORST

WEBB’S PROJECT PROTEST – A new 60-foot tall lakefront hotel is being proposed by James Webb, near Lakeside Park in Mayville. Some residents have gone on record opposing the project. “The peace will be gone, all for one family’s monetary profit …” said one local resident. We’re not ready to take sides on the proposal. There are questions that need to be addressed. But let’s not oppose the project simply because of “one family’s monetary profit.” Development brings jobs. Jobs keep people in our community. It increases our tax base. Projects like this one bring tourists to the region. Yes, the Webbs stand to benefit financially should the project take place, but then so also will local residents.

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

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

BEST

GROWING CHARACTER – The Fredonia Hillbillies varsity football team has had its share of success in the last few years. But as we all know, there’s more to life than just football. That’s why we want to applaud assistant coach Bob Brown. This summer he has gotten the team to do some community service projects and heard from role models like former NFL player Mike McCoy about the importance of developing and demonstrating good character. “… empathy, integrity and living a life of service to others are more important than points on a scoreboard,” said Brown. We agree.

MAKING DONATIONS – The Elks Club and the Dunkirk Volunteer Firemen’s Association donated about $4,500 toward a new thermal imaging camera for the city of Dunkirk’s Fire Department. The camera, which costs about $6,000 total, is used for search and rescue. The fire department now has three cameras, one for each shift. “We take this in on every call. If we have a call that a smoke detector is going off we take the camera with us,” said Fire Chief Keith Ahlstrom. We’re glad that organizations like these two are able to help make our community safer.

REDUCING TAX RATE – We applaud the Dunkirk School Board of Education. Board members, along with the administration, have come up with a plan to lower the tax rate for most of its property taxpayers. The city rate will drop by 71 cents per thousand dollars of assessed evaluation, while the town of Dunkirk tax rate will drop by 10 cents. School officials note with the difficult local economy and a high reserve, it only made sense to lower the tax rate and help the community.

WORST

WACS LEADERSHIP – Westfield Academy and Central School officials seem to have forgotten what leadership is all about. They’ve been holding surveys trying to figure out if they should hold a second vote on merging its school with Brocton. They’re hearing things like residents want “a return to glory days” when more opportunities were available. Tell residents that in today’s economy, a return of the good old days isn’t going to happen, but merging the two districts will improve educational opportunities for students. Don’t just survey; get out in the community and explain why a merger is best for students and the community in the long run. Find a way to get more people who want what’s best for students to the polls. Don’t give up on merging the school district. It’s not too late.

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