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The OBSERVER’s View

Building tab disturbing in Pomfret

We must admit our lack of surprise regarding rising government costs. In this case, the top story in last weekend’s OBSERVER focused on the growing expense for Pomfret of its new town hall. During its meeting last month, Supervisor Dan Pacos told the town board the estimated price tag now stands at $3.46 million. That’s more than double the last reported estimate, and more than eight times the original $400,000 estimate that Pacos said was made “years ago.” And just how did Pomfret get the funds to acquire the former church on Chestnut Road? American Rescue Plan Act funds that ...

Music Fest helps in hunger fight

Through the years, Chautauqua County Rural Ministry has assisted thousands of residents who are in need. This weekend, the organization is looking for community support. To raise funds, a Rock for Hunger Music Fest will take place Saturday at Vibe On Five on Lake Shore Drive. The event begins at noon with lon Sky and will run throughout the day, concluding at approximately 11 p.m., uniting local and regional talent for a full day of live performances aimed at supporting the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry. Event organizer Lorie Mets said the festival was created not only to celebrate ...

Our view: Closure hits county hard

More than 200 people woke up last Thursday to find their services were no longer needed at Bush Industries. It’s a gut punch to longtime employees, some of whom have worked decades for the Jamestown manufacturer, and for those who thought they had shepherded Bush through lean years in the 2010s prior to the company’s purchase that led to the formation of the eSolutions Furniture Group in 2020. For decades Bush Industries had been one of the south county’s major employers and, despite prior tough times, had always found a way to bounce back. Post-pandemic business has been tough, ...

Our view: Magical ride continues for Sabres

Who could have imagined pro hockey in May in Western New York when the National Hockey League season began? As we’re all aware, it is an exciting reality. A storybook year for the Buffalo Sabres marches on starting Wednesday night when the team opens the second round at home against the Montreal Canadiens. Buffalo dispatched a scrappy Boston team on Friday night to win the series — its first in 18 years. This next round promises to be compelling. Montreal plays a lot like Buffalo. They are fast, use their defensemen for offensive rushes and have received great ...

NEW YORK STATE: ‘Vacation home’ tax is a bad idea

Democrats are proposing to extend a bad idea in New York City into a bad idea statewide. Assemblyman Andrew Molitor, R-Westfield, and Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, have concerns about extending the proposed pied-à-terre from New York City to the rest of the state. We, too, have concerns. A quick examination of real estate sales transactions over the past couple of years shows only one sale that would qualify for the pied-à-terre as proposed by state Sen. Patricia Fahy. We do think that such a tax will have an impact on Chautauqua County at some point, though the effect likely ...

District’s plan finds a balance

After weeks of meetings — and number juggling — the Fredonia school budget is official and right at the tax cap. During a meeting last month, the district proposed a tax increase of 2.44% — the maximum allowable tax levy increase without requiring supermajority approval. “I appreciate all the work around this (Board of Education) table over the last five years to keep our programs strong and to keep the quality of what we’re doing in our building at a high level,” said Superintendent Dr. Brad Zilliox during the meeting. His comments also are a testament to the community. ...