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The OBSERVER’s View

Airport: Finally someone questions financing

It strikes us as a bit funny that fiscal common sense is finally starting to dawn on some county lawmakers when it comes to spending on the Chautauqua County Airport at Jamestown. Fred Johnson, R-Westfield, questioned the $212,000 cost of designs for a terminal apron and $469,920 for 34 new airfield guidance signs, both at the Jamestown airport. The projects come with a local share of $5,300 and $11,748, respectively. We give Johnson credit for his opposition. Most local officials would look at the relatively low local share of these projects and rubber stamp the receipt of federal ...

EVENTS: Fire chief’s suggestion on event approval makes sense

A suggestion by Josh Myers, Fredonia fire chief, to get department approval on event applications before they go before the Fredonia Village Board for approval makes a lot of sense. So much sense, in our opinion, we have a hard time believing that it wasn’t the procedure already. Myers wants most events that are expected to draw large numbers of people to go through an approval process that includes an approval from the Police Department, Fire Department, the Code Office and then the Public Works Department before the Village Board takes a look at the application. Myers wants to ...

FREDONIA: Can village walk the consolidation walk?

Fredonia Mayor Mike Ferguson is saying all the right things when it comes to consolidation and sharing of services. The mayor said during a recent Fredonia Village Board work session that consolidation is a necessary effort to keep village government financially viable in the wake of a 2025-26 budget that increased taxes 54% to $61.09 per $1,000 assessed value. Most taxpayers saw a roughly $540 tax increase. No one wants to see that happen again – least of all Ferguson and Village Board members. “I want to talk about the fact that we are still in the first quarter of our ...

SUNY: Positive ‘measures’ for a new year

Crisp mornings signal the return of students at the State University of New York at Fredonia. This year, the institution is upbeat as 3,156 are enrolled for the start of the fall semester. That is ahead of last year’s total at the same point in time, the university says. The incoming class includes 990 first-year, transfer, and new graduate students. Total graduate enrollment is up 17% compared to last year, and almost 50% from three years ago, reflecting Fredonia’s growing strength in advanced degree programs. “This year’s enrollment demonstrates encouraging stability at a ...

LAKE ERIE: Wave of success with fishing

When it comes to fishing this year, Lake Erie has not disappointed. For those who follow our regular outdoor columns by Forrest Fisher, readers will note he has done a number of articles regarding walleyes. That is with good reason. During this summer, walleye fishing has been in the spotlight on numerous weekends through tournaments and national contests. In late August, Fisher wrote about a trip he took with three anglers. In the write-up, he noted the amazing fishery that is Lake Erie. “The eastern basin … includes Buffalo, Sturgeon Point, Sunset Bay, Dunkirk and Barcelona, ...

ARKWRIGHT Wind subsidies buoy town funds

Arkwright is being proactive regarding a new town hall. That’s a credit to current town Supervisor Brian McAvoy. But it is clear that the price tag and timeline associated with a new structure has been getting out of whack. To many, it seems as though the project has dragged along and the cost could go up to $1.5 million. As the plan moves forward, the Town Board is asking any residents with questions or comments about the project to attend the next meeting for a public discussion on the matter. That will feature time for public discussion pertaining to the project. The meeting ...