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The OBSERVER’s View

The OBSERVER’s View

We'd say New York should throw out its recycling data, but we're not sure if the paper would be recycled or end up in a landfill. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office found the state DEC lacks reliable information on how much material is recycled across the state. Part of the problem is recycling facilities have submitted only about two-thirds of the required annual reports from January 2021 through December 2023. The facilities that did submit reports couldn't always verify the information they did report. And, perhaps most troubling, of the reports that were submitted, nearly ...

Housing effort brings proven partner

In a Dunkirk-Fredonia region, where the poverty rate is nearly 25%, we cannot understand the criticism that comes with the affordable housing projects. One of the most recent to be announced is tied to the Downtown Revitalization Initiative that offered the city of Dunkirk $10 million to build up its business district. Earlier this month, Gov. Kathy Hochul was in town to boost the Homesteads at Dunkirk Landing $38 million projects — one that will be built near the Save A-Lot plaza on Fourth Street and another on Washington Avenue. Regan Development Corp., which is handling the ...

The OBSERVER’s View: P-TECH proving its worth with Westfield firm

A major $3.2 million upgrade to a Westfield manufacturer is worthy of plenty of praise. Besides the company investment with state assistance, there also is an effort to maintain a younger generation within the region. According to an article in last weekend’s edition, Renold Westfield at 100 Bourne St. is actively marketing itself to prospective hires. The company has hosted factory tours for students enrolled in P-TECH, an Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES program for high school students that offers career and technical education and certifications in skilled trades, engineering ...

The OBSERVER’s View: Some bright spots for Blakeman campaign

As November gets closer, so do the polls for governor in New York state. Earlier this month, a Siena Poll found Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul leads Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman 49-39%. "With less than three months till Election Day, Hochul holds a 10-point lead over Blakeman, 49-39%, not crossing the magic 50% mark. In June, among registered voters, Hochul's lead was twice as large, 52-32%," Siena pollster Steven Greenberg said. "At this point four years ago, August 2022, when Hochul was just finishing her first year as governor, she led her opponent, former ...

The OBSERVER’s View: Village always appreciates Farm Fest

Ready or not, the largest Fredonia event is ready to fill Barker Common this weekend. Starting Friday, the annual Farm Festival will get started and continue through Sunday. "We're excited, we have a lot of new things coming in this year," said organizer Lauren Boyle at a recent village meeting. "We have a street square dance coming in, we have a petting zoo coming in. We have a ton of presentations throughout the weekend." One event Boyle mentioned was a live performance of "Hamlet" in the gazebo by Main Street Studios. Co-organizer Greg Krauza also noted the Fredonia Farmers ...

The OBSERVER’s View: State can take lead on e-bikes, scooters

An increase in the number of serious accidents involving e-bikes and standup scooters in New York City is prompting calls to better regulate the personal mobility devices in the city. That regulation should extend statewide. So far this year, 12 people have been killed while riding e-bikes in New York City with another nine killed while using stand-up e-scooters. Only three have been killed while riding regular pedal bicycles. Which compares to three who died while riding old-fashioned pedal bikes. Last year those figures were 17 dead on e-bikes, six from e-scooters and four on ...