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The OBSERVER’s View

BROCTON Big-buck schools won’t fix playground

As warmer temperatures graced the region earlier this week, thoughts of spring cannot help but enter in the minds of many. It certainly was what Brocton Village Board members were thinking about when it came to one of the playgrounds. A windstorm in January continues to leave its mark on ...

SCHOOLS State finances start to impact districts

Dunkirk City Schools financial adviser Richard Timbs made his annual appearance earlier this month at a recent board meeting. Timbs, who is always looking out for the districts, gave his usual spiel that taxpayers are not paying enough. But he also issued a warning. He noted what is obvious ...

BARCELONA Coming together to solve a problem

There is a lot of talk about the need for bipartisanship in Congress. And while we struggle to come to agreement on major national issues like immigration reform, abortion and the environment, there are glimmers of ability to work across the aisle on matters of local interest. That came ...

FREDONIA: Non-fest details need team effort

Village of Fredonia officials find themselves in a difficult position. Within two months, the notorious non Fred Fest will take place within the municipality. For those living inside the limits — and especially near downtown — this is a real disruption. In the bigger picture, however, it ...

HIDDEN COSTS: Time right to look at the ‘junk fees’

You just bought those two concert tickets at $200 each. You go to check out … only to find that your real price is $250 each thanks to hidden fees. A recent survey by Consumer Reports found that most Americans have been confronted with hidden fees, and 96% find them to be very annoying. A ...

SCHOOLS: State, federal gifts of funds dries up

What happened earlier this month in Forestville will be taking place at many of the 18 schools in Chautauqua County. As costs increase — and the American Rescue Plan Act funds run dry — district leaders are going to begin lamenting the lack of aid from the state. According to Forestville ...