highs and lows Some of the best, worst of the week
Here are some of the best – and worst – of the week:
BEST
MUSICAL HONORS – Thursday was an exciting day for Fredonia High School. Students were able to hear 10,000 Maniacs perform at the school. Also, Fredonia alumna Mary Ramsey, who is now the band’s lead singer, was inducted into the Fredonia High School Wall of Fame. It was a special day for all involved.
AMBULANCE SUCCESS – When Fredonia announced it was going into the ambulance service business, many, including the OBSERVER, were skeptical. But during the Fredonia Village board meeting, it appears, at least for right now, the service is paying for itself. Since Sept. 1, the fire department has collected nearly $23,000 and still has about $64,500 that has been billed out, bringing the total to $87,500. According to Fredonia Fire Department Lt. Randy Butts, those revenues are more than covering the cost of having two additional full-time firefighters come on board in January. We hope the numbers continue to bear out in favor for the fire department.
SHARING SPORTS – Silver Creek announced this week that six students are joining Gowanda Central School’s modified girls lacrosse program. In our region, lacrosse is not offered at many schools. In fact, only Gowanda and Silver Creek have lacrosse programs at the varsity level. By combining forces in middle school, it should help strengthen the programs for the future. Otherwise, there would not be an opportunity for these younger Silver Creek students to play.
WORST
WHEN TO ABSTAIN – Cassadaga Trustee Mike Lehnen had some concerns about a proposal to address some flooding problems on Dale Drive. According to engineers, a culvert pipe beneath Park Avenue needs to be replaced. Lehnen said he wanted to see the state contacted before moving forward so he abstained from voting. The project is still moving ahead because three other officials cast a “yes” vote. We’re not saying we’re in favor or opposed to the project. The issue we have is with Lehnen voting to abstain. Abstention votes should be cast when there’s a conflict of interest, or you simply don’t have enough information to cast a vote. If you have concerns over a resolution, then vote no. Don’t say you’re abstaining. That’s not what the vote is for. All political officials, from local level to the federal government, should follow that same rule.
Highs and lows: Some of the best, worst of the week
Here are some of the best – and worst – of the week:
BEST
MORE MUSICALS – We mentioned previously that musicals are taking place this weekend at Cassadaga Valley (Mary Poppins), Silver Creek (Little Women), Fredonia (Anything Goes) and Westfield (Tarzan). Pine Valley is also holding its school musical this weekend, “All I really need to know I learned in Kindergarten” and Northern Chautauqua Catholic School will be showing “Peter Pan.” PVCS show is tonight at 7 p.m. Cost is $6. NCCS’s show will take place at 6 p.m. Cost is $3. Once again, support your local school and see our students on stage!
HELPING OUT THE SENIORS – The following was received from one of our subscribers earlier this week: “A big thank you to the six gentlemen who helped me dig out of a snowbank in Fredonia along Central Avenue two weeks ago Sunday. – A grateful senior citizen.”
TASTY TIMES – Maple syrup has returned! Today and tomorrow, as well as next weekend is officially Maple Weekend in Western New York. Some of the local participants include: Fairbanks Maple Products in Forestville, Sprague’s Maple Farms in Portville, the Maple Glen Sugarhouse in Gowanda, Harrington Maple in Westfield and Big Tree Maple in Lakewood. Get your fresh maple syrup, see how the syrup is collected and made, and see what other maple products are available for purchase. Also, the Gowanda Fire Department is holding a pancake breakfast both weekends. Visit www.mapleweekend.com for more information and a full list of participants throughout the state.
WORST
UNHAPPY IN GOWANDA – There was only one name on the ballot for mayor in Gowanda – Heather McKeever – but she didn’t even get half of the vote. According to the Cattaraugus County Board of Elections, a total of 63 residents participated in Wednesday’s village race. McKeever, the incumbent mayor received 30 votes. Nineteen write-in ballots were cast and 14 people didn’t vote for anyone for mayor, only selecting trustee candidates. Perhaps it’s because of McKeever’s conflict with the police department, perhaps it’s the increase in water rates, or perhaps it’s something else. Whatever the reason, when more than half the people walking into a ballot won’t select the only name available for mayor, it seems your constituents are not content with your work.
Highs and lows: Some of the best, worst of the week
Here are some of the best – and worst – of the week:
BEST
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL – Last night, Fredonia High School performed Cole Porter’s long-time musical “Anything Goes,” which continues tonight and also runs next weekend. Starting Thursday, the Cassadaga Valley Central School will perform “Mary Poppins” (which will reportedly include a “flying” Mary Poppins and Bert). The show will have four showings over three weeks. Westfield Academy and Central School, meanwhile, will be performing Disney’s “Tarzan” on Friday and Saturday. These students have been working on these shows since before February break. Get to a performance. You won’t be disappointed.
FREEZIN’ FOR A REASON – When the calendar says it’s March, it’s definitely not swimming time. Yet about a dozen people last weekend jumped into Lake Erie for a polar plunge. The event was sponsored by the NCCYHA Steelers and all proceeds from the event went to the RO Foundation. It was a cold day, but definitely fun to watch!
HOOPS SUCCESS – Last weekend was a tough one for our area in high school basketball. Both the Fredonia girls and boys teams lost, as did the Silver Creek boys. The teams lost in the B1 and C2 finals. But even though they are all out, the Chautauqua Lake girls team went on to win the Class C title. Tonight they’re playing in the Far West Regionals. Last year the Thunderbirds won the school’s first ever state title. Perhaps they’ll repeat. Good job to all the those who played this past year and go Thunderbirds!
WORST
STUDENT THREATS – Some Fredonia Middle School students are learning the hard way you can’t just say something online and think it will be ignored. Earlier in the week, Fredonia Police were twice alerted about posts on Facebook that could be interpreted as threatening. Meanwhile, Silver Creek is still calming parents after a student there made a list of student he “wished to harm.” Threats like these can’t be taken lightly. School officials were correct in taking immediate action. In this day and age, more emphasis needs to be made in the schools about how to act online and the dangers of saying something threatening. In 1940, the U.S. Public Health Service strongly advocated sexuality education in the schools. Seventy-five years later, it’s time we addressed online behavior in public education. It’s something our society sorely needs.
Highs and lows: Some of the best, worst of the week
Here are some of the best – and worst – of the week:
BEST
COLD PRACTICE – Last weekend, when the outside temperatures were at minus 16 degrees, area firefighters went and dug a hole in Cassadaga Lakes at the State Board Launch off Dale Drive. They practiced pulling people out of the water. Make no mistake – these are volunteers. They’re not getting paid for this. They held this drill to make sure that in the event of an emergency, they know what to do. We applaud those volunteers who are willing to go out in a moment’s notice in the event of an emergency.
NEW LACROSSE COACH – good luck to Amy Simon. The all time leader in goals with the SUNY Fredonia Blue Devils (242), Simon is now the head coach of the team. When she graduated, many considered her to be the best player in the program’s history. Now we’ll see how she is at coaching. We wish her the best in her new role with the team.
THAWING PIPES – Thanks to the Seneca Nation of Indians, some Silver Creek residents were able to get water after going days without it. The Seneca Nation has a steam machine which was loaned to Silver Creek to thaw the frozen water pipes. The village has discussed purchasing its own steam machine, but even if they did that today, it would be three to six weeks before the machine would arrive, making it useless for this year. For now, at least, it makes sense to ask our neighbors for help in times of need.
WORST
PASSING STOPPED BUSES – A family on Fredonia-Stockton Road in the town of Pomfret said that she has seen vehicles passing stopped school buses that have their stop lights activated. Police have stepped up enforcement. Passing a stopped school bus can result in a $250 to $400 fine and/or 30 days in jail for the first offense. But bigger than that, passing a stopped school bus can result in injuring or even killing a child. No matter how much of a hurry you are in, it’s not worth risking human life to save a couple of minutes, passing a stopped school bus. Don’t do it. Life is too precious.