Breaking News

The OBSERVER’s View

BROCTON Village generous on spending limit

Brocton village Trustee Drew Ransom is exactly correct to question an increase in a spending limit in the small municipality. This month, despite his concerns, village leaders upped the threshold from $1,500 to $5,000 for purchases that do not need prior approval. Discussion on the topic began after village Clerk Scott Jagoda made the initial suggestion due to the rising cost of goods and services due to inflation. Waste Water Treatment Supervisor Rich Lewis highlighted an example of a recent emergency purchase he made after calling Mayor Craig Miller for authorization that totaled ...

FREDONIA: Deja vu all over again in water study

Despite numerous reports over three decades regarding water in the village of Fredonia, there was a lot of talk, but no action. This evening, another report will flow at 6 p.m. before the Village Board meets. Last week, Mayor Michael Ferguson announced the LaBella Associates engineering firm will report on its study of Fredonia joining the Northern Chautauqua County Water District. The meeting will be on the third-floor courtroom in case the study is to draw a crowd. Without question, water is a divisive issue in the village. It also has been very destructive. By doing nothing for ...

MEMORIAL DAY: Show gratitude for the sacrifices

Here we are, in the midst of a three-day weekend that serves for many as the end of the school year and the beginning of summer. For some, it will be their first getaway of the season. For others, it will be the weekend on which they open their pool. For some, it will be the day on which they remember and honor loved ones lost in service to their country. That is, after all, the real reason for Monday’s observance of Memorial Day. For 156 years our nation has paused for just this one day to honor and grieve the men and women who have died while serving in the armed ...

AIR TRAVEL: FAA must start to address worries

Until the midair collision that claimed 67 lives on Jan. 29 near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, followed soon thereafter by a number of other incidents involving planes, some of those incidents also resulting in fatalities, members of the flying public generally had exuded great confidence regarding their safety while using that mode of travel. Now, however, many of those same travelers do not feel quite as secure, due to what has been happening during recent weeks on the air travel front. It is clear that the level of confidence that had existed in the past will not ...

SUNY FREDONIA: Getting a grip on fiscal picture

It appears as if the State University of New York at Fredonia has found the right person to right the financial ship. During the recent College Council meeting this month, Wayne Lynch spoke frankly about a troubling deficit that is being whittled down. “Current expenses are not reflective of current enrollment,” said Lynch, vice president for finance and administration. “Expenses are probably more aligned with about 1,000 more students, give or take. We have to right-size the expenses to the revenue line, there should be no mistake about that. If not, we will lose faith from ...

BEMUS POINT: Hotel gets chance for a rebirth

Recent news that the court-disputed sale of the Hotel Lenhart is, we hope, a good development for the village of Bemus Point and those who look forward each summer to spending lazy summer evenings on the iconic rocking chairs of the venerable lakefront hotel. The Hotel Lenhart has has been a major fixture on Chautauqua Lake since the summer of 1882, when the hotel opened. An 1891 fire destroyed the original building with the current hotel built in its place. Since then hotels on the lakefront have come and gone - but the Lenhart and Chautauqua Institution’s Athenaeum have remained. ...