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The OBSERVER’s View

The OBSERVER’s View: Balancing act with winter heating

There is good and bad news when it comes to potential costs for heating during the coming winter months. In October, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. said it expects the typical residential customer to spend approximately $742 to heat their home this winter, nearly 5% less than last winter’s average cost of $780. The projected decrease reflects lower natural gas supply costs, the impact of strong storage inventories, and National Fuel’s long-term gas purchasing strategy, which helps reduce exposure to market volatility and seasonal price spikes. The lower supply costs are ...

The OBSERVER’s View: Special library tribute built ‘relationships’

A tradition at Anderson-Lee Library will pay tribute to a former employee who was part of the idea. This Saturday, a special one-day event in recognition of Native American Heritage Month begins at 11 a.m. at 43 Main St. “From the beginning, one of the most important parts of the program has been the opportunity to build relationships and collaborate with members of the Seneca Nation,” the library said in a statement. “This year's celebration will be especially meaningful as we gather not only to honor Native American heritage and culture, but also to remember and celebrate Huff ...

The OBSERVER’s View: One last chance to vote

Thousands of residents have already taken the time to cast their ballot during Early Voting, which was Oct. 24 through Sunday. If you have not, there’s one day left — that’s Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. That remains a heavy turnout day. Even with the Early Voting, there is a large contingent of the population that hits the polls on the traditional day. As usual, we urge residents to be part of the process. This year’s races have important implications on the future. If you’re not happy with how things are being run in Washington, Albany and here at home, complaining is not ...

Proposal again proves council’s lack of power

Over the last two weeks, there has been plenty of banter regarding the city of Dunkirk budget proposal — both on social media and during the most recent Common Council session. Overall, the plan calls for a 11% tax increase with spending totaling more than $32.2 million. Is that fair or responsible? That’s not the question that needs to be asked. For taxpayers, especially those who have complained about the burden and the hardship of living in Dunkirk, the most important issue is this: how do we stop the pain? The answer: You cannot. Dunkirk, like many other municipalities in ...

Lots of treats in seasonal happenings

In terms of consumer popularity, Halloween is becoming a real treat for retailers. In a survey conducted for the National Retail Federation’s annual consumer survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, it’s expected that $13.5 billion will be expensed in America in preparation for the Oct. 31 day. “Consumers continue to make Halloween a spending priority, but they are also approaching the season with affordability in mind,” NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Allison Zeller said. “For more than two decades, NRF’s Halloween survey has tracked how ...

Attorney general needs to stick to law

Saritha Komatireddy isn’t a household name for many New Yorkers. And that’s too bad, because she could be your next state Attorney General. We know all too well what we will get statewide by electing Letitia James as attorney general - more lawsuits that are so tinged by party politics that it’s hard to discern whether or not the case makes sense. That happens, in part, because James has been smacked down by courts often enough in her attempts to fill her prior campaign pledges to make life hard on President Donald Trump that it’s hard to tell where a case actually exists or ...