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The OBSERVER’s View

NEW YORK STATE: Lawsuits could have been avoided

Four lawsuits have been filed across the state from groups and municipalities concerned about the effects of the state’s Freshwater Wetlands Act. Concerns are nothing new to our readers. We’ve been reporting on them long before they were a concern throughout the rest of the state. While the lawsuits wind their way through the court system — three in state Supreme Court in Albany and one here in state Supreme Court in Mayville — it’s worth remembering that the lawsuits shouldn’t have been necessary. The state Legislature could have headed off many of the concerns raised ...

LAW ENFORCEMENT: Regional policing excels in Fredonia

Last weekend was not as rambunctious as expected. From what we can see in the lack of police reports and scanner activity, the notorious Not Fred Fest was much tamer than what happened in 2024. There were no stabbings, fires or shootings. Some inebriation did occur, but that is to be expected when large groups of 20-somethings gather to party. Leadership in the village deserves credit for its actions. From the start, Mayor Michael Ferguson and the trustees were proactive in trying to take a lot of the troubles out of the unofficial weekend event that normally occurs on the first ...

SAFETY: Another journey in transportation

North county motorists will likely have an opinion on future changes that will impact Vineyard Drive. On Tuesday at the Quality Inn Hotel, 3925 Vineyard Drive, a presentation will take place to outline what is being proposed. As part of the Complete Streets initiative, the plan aims to redesign Vineyard and Millard Fillmore Drive with a focus on safety, mobility, and equity. The conceptual design includes improvements such as enhanced pedestrian crossings, bicycle lanes, traffic calming measures, and transit-friendly features. The goal is to create a street environment that supports ...

ENVIRONMENT: Another way to reduce waste

Landfills across the nation are growing too fast. Americans have a habit of buying stuff — and then discarding it. That’s why the state Department of Environmental Conservation is noting Compost Awareness Week through May 10. It encourages local communities to explore the benefits of composting. The 2025 New York State Compost Awareness Week is “Sustainable Communities Begin with Compost,” which highlights composting opportunities, including backyard home composting, local composting programs, and large-scale commercial facilities. “Composting is something all New Yorkers ...

SPORTS: Buffalo team has winning ways

For five decades, Buffalo’s major league sports teams — the Bills and Sabres — have never been able to win the big one. Unfortunately, there has been no Super Bowl or Stanley Cup championship parade though both have come close. One team that does have a winning DNA plays at KeyBank Center and qualified for the finals this weekend for a fifth straight year: the Buffalo Bandits. On Sunday evening, Buffalo’s indoor pro lacrosse team knocked off Vancouver, 11-9. It will host the first game of the best-of-three finals starting the weekend of May 18. Buffalo has won the title the ...

Silver Creek Village, county have finish line in sight

We know seeing is believing but we have a lot of faith in those who have worked tirelessly for years to take down a decades-old eyesore in the village of Silver Creek. While demolition could begin as early as this month on the site, it is the final result that matters most. Last month, Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency Chief Executive Officer Mark Geise told IDA board members that the property title of 60 Main St., the former Silver Creek School, was transferred last week. He noted it was a long process. “There were probably 25 different entities involved,” Geise ...