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The OBSERVER’s View

UNITED WAYS Merger would help end divide

We commend the boards of the United Ways of Northern and Southern Chautauqua County as they discuss a merger of the two organizations. It only makes sense to have one United Way. Merging the organizations reduces overhead, meaning more of the community’s dollars are spent on programs. The organizations were already sharing staff and had shared services agreements, but perhaps the most public of the organizations’ shared services has been the combined Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. And, many programs funded by the United Way organizations in each end of the county have ...

D-DAY Many took part in historic action

Today marks the 80th anniversary of World War II’s D-Day invasion. According to the National D-Day Memorial, which is located in Bedford,Va.,: “While the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, usually termed D-Day, did not end the war in Europe — that would take 11 more months — success on that day created a path to victory for the Allies. The stakes were so great, the impact so monumental, that this single day stands out in history.” Many in our region had a role in that mission. One man from Fredonia, Leslie “Bud” Morrison who died Oct. 14, 2023, was drafted in January ...

COUNTY Hospital is proof we’re stronger as 1

Northern Chautauqua County is still buzzing over Monday’s significant announcement by state Gov. Kathy Hochul to release funding for a new Brooks-TLC Hospital System. Just as important was the support at the event. More than 350 elected officials, community members and business leaders were in attendance for the high-profile happening in the Williams Center on the State University of New York at Fredonia campus. Even though the $74 million took too long to become reality — a more than eight-year wait, it was likely needed to happen. For starters, Brooks-TLC needed a better plan ...

IDA Local ownership support a positive

County IDA officials recently announced their support of the purchase of Dahlstrom Roll Form by two members of the company’s leadership team. The sale comes at a time when the company’s foothold in Chautauqua County was weakening. Robert White, the company’s previous owner, had decided to retire and put Dahlstrom Roll Form up for sale. There had been at least one serious offer from a German company that could have ended up moving the local company to Kentucky. So kudos to Jeremy Blum, current Dahlstrom Roll Form CEO, and Brad Renwick, current Dahlstrom Roll Form COO, for ...

BUDGETS Voters seem happy with tax increases

It should come as no surprise that all local school budgets were approved last week. There wasn’t much controversy on the ballot. Thanks to continued state aid increases and aid remaining from the federal government’s COVID largesse, there weren’t huge tax increases to be voted on. That meant there weren’t major layoffs of teachers or staff, nor were there program cuts - all of which are usually what drive people to vote down school budgets. Eventually, that will change. Gov. Kathy Hochul tried to begin tightening the public education spending belt this year with a focus ...

MERGERS: Town suddenly forgets benefits

We know Dunkirk Town Board member Phil Leone was speaking from his heart because he certainly was not using his head. During a recent meeting, Leone discussed his lack of enthusiasm for government mergers. While speaking, Leone highlighted the current financial state of both the city of Dunkirk and the village of Fredonia. The city is facing an $18 million deficit while the village is more than $1.5 in the red. He claimed, “We seem to be the only fiscally responsible town in western Chautauqua County.” There is no debating that. What we do disagree with Leone on is the statement: ...