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

BEST

UNITED EFFORT – Nearly 400 people attended the Public Service Commission’s hearings in Fredonia on Thursday. Even though the hearing was to give the public a chance to hear about the proposed gas routes, it was important that Chautauqua County again state that we are in favor of the conversion of the NRG plant in Dunkirk from coal to natural gas. The strong showing made that point loud and clear.

IMPROVING SILVER CREEK – Silver Creek has at least five eyesores in the village – Seegert’s Dairy, the old Main Street School, the Moose Club, 305 Central Ave. and the Revere Inn. The village has gotten approval to demolish Seegert’s Dairy. Now the village has learned the house located at 305 Central Ave. has been purchased from the county landbank by a man who reconditions bank-owned properties. We’re glad to hear progress is being made on at least some of these dilapidated structures.

SUHR MONUMENT – It was announced recently that a monument of Jenn Suhr will soon be placed on the grounds of Fredonia Central School. Suhr (nee Stuczynski), a Hillbilly alumna, won the Olympic gold medal for pole vaulting in 2012. An exact location of the monument has yet to be determined. Fredonia Central is proud of Suhr and the statue will be a great way to keep younger children of the school informed of her accomplishments, as well as remind them that when it comes to being a success, the sky is the limit.

WORST

LISTENING TO RUCKMAN – Anyone who follows local government can see there is tension between Trustee Mark Ruckman and the rest of the Fredonia Village Board. Ruckman is the most likely trustee to go against the rest of the elected leaders when it comes to decisions, especially involving money. The concern is that Ruckman’s opinions seem to get lost. He voted against Fredonia spending $47,000 for a double-drum vibrating roller. “I just don’t think we exhausted all efforts to look into borrowing (a roller),” he said, advocating for more sharing of equipment. That’s a good point. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem other elected village officials are interested in hearing his opinion.

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

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

BEST

RAISING AWARENESS – As noted in this corner on Tuesday, many area residents have stepped up when it comes to breast cancer awareness, which is being observed this week. Area athletic teams have been sporting pink on their uniforms and money has been raised. Forestville’s efforts have been tremendous. Over the years, the volleyball team has raised more than $20,000 in its spiking out cancer event. That’s a net gain for everyone impacted.

STATUE PROTECTION – After Peter Wolf Toth restored the Whispering Giant, something needed to be done to protect it from the weather. The Seneca Nation of Indians has designed an enclosure for the statue, which sits on Route 5 in Dunkirk. At least a plan is in place. Donations are needed for the enclosure to be constructed. Those interested in contributing can send their gifts to the NCCF, c/o the Whispering Giant, 212 Lake Shore Drive West, Dunkirk. All donations are tax deductible.

BILLS PURCHASE – This week Terry Pegula, along with his wife Kim, officially took control of the Buffalo Bills. Three years ago the Pegulas purchased the Buffalo Sabres. Pegula has a heart for Western New York and its sports teams. For years, questions swirled about where the Bills would end up after team founder Ralph Wilson died. Now we know the team won’t be going anywhere.

WORST

VACANT HOUSES – Cassadaga is the latest village dealing with a vacant house that is in disrepair. On Maple Avenue, next to the library, is a house that has been unoccupied for a number of years. There have been a slew of cats living there. A village official notes he is concerned about dead limbs falling from trees on the property. In Brocton, officials there have been struggling with what to do with 10 E. Main St. Perhaps the county or the state could come up with a plan to help smaller communities with these issues. The buildings are not going away anytime soon.

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

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

BEST

NOT BACKING SIERRA CLUB – We want to give Congressional challenger Martha Robertson credit for being willing to stand up to the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club has filed a lawsuit to get the state to stop the conversion of Dunkirk’s NRG plant from coal to natural gas. “While I understand the Sierra Club’s position, I also know that these jobs need to stay right here at home. I don’t think this lawsuit is in the best interest of the working people of Chautauqua County,” she said. Robertson is challenging Rep. Tom Reed for the 23rd Congressional District. Reed has long championed the NRG conversion project, knowing the impact the plant has on Dunkirk and Chautauqua County overall. It’s good to know Robertson isn’t following the opinions of the Sierra Club, which has donated to her political campaign.

LOTS OF LAUGHS – It was good to see Fredonia resident Pete Correale on TBS’ “Conan” this past week. Correale, a SUNY Fredonia graduate, does stand-up and has a popular comedy podcast called “The Pete and Sebastian Show.” He also has a deal with CBS to write a sitcom. He did a great job on the show; just don’t take him fishing, especially if it’s ‘catch and release.’ He’d rather just stay in a city, drive around and go “parking.” If you don’t know what that is, it’s when you drive around, find a parking spot, pull in and pull out, talking about how great it was to find that spot!

YOUTUBE STAR VISIT – Ask someone who is Austin Mahone and your odds of finding out are a lot greater if you’re asking someone under 21. Mahone is a teenage singer who started out as a YouTube sensation, became popular on MTV and later toured with country/pop music star Taylor Swift. Mahone visited Gowanda Central School recently to meet Alysha Gassman, who won the visit in a contest sponsored by Allstate, regarding safe driving. The teenage singer reminds all students to not text and drive. “I’m a new driver too. I just got my car a year ago. I just want to basically help teens. You just got to put your cell phone down, be smart about it. Be safe,” he said. Hopefully young (and not so young) drivers listen to Mahone’s advice.

WORST

TAX BUMPS – Pomfret has a “tiny” hike in property taxes. Chautauqua County is calling for a small hike in property taxes. Many local schools are increasing the tax rate, but keeping it under the tax cap. The problem is all these “small” hikes ending up hurting our wallets in a big way. Politicians, especially town and county ones who are working on their budgets now, need to do everything possible to eliminate these hikes, no matter how small. We’re not saying we’re going to “cut our way into prosperity,” but at the same time, when you’re overtaxed even the smallest increases add up.

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