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The OBSERVER’s View

FREDONIA BUDGET: It’s too late to avoid short-term pain

Fredonia’s tax hike is now 65.3% – and Village Board members are finding themselves between a rock and a hard place. During a meeting this week, board members looked at nickel and dime cuts – cutting board members’ pay, talking about eliminating the mayor’s cell phone plan from the village budget, cutting a police car purchase and looking at the village’s phone service through DFT. All told, the tax increase has gone up from what was originally proposed by Mayor Mike Ferguson. If board members find themselves stuck, just think about taxpayers who are looking at not ...

FREDONIA BUDGET: It’s too late to avoid short-term pain

Fredonia’s tax hike is now 65.3% – and Village Board members are finding themselves between a rock and a hard place. During a meeting this week, board members looked at nickel and dime cuts – cutting board members’ pay, talking about eliminating the mayor’s cell phone plan from the village budget, cutting a police car purchase and looking at the village’s phone service through DFT. All told, the tax increase has gone up from what was originally proposed by Mayor Mike Ferguson. If board members find themselves stuck, just think about taxpayers who are looking at not only ...

Silver Creek: Even small village sees higher costs

Even smaller entities are facing troubling times when it comes to costs. Last week, Silver Creek Village Board presented its budget proposal for 2025-26. Its tentative plan showed an increase of approximately 65 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. That exceeds the tax cap of $1,145,000 by $14,192. “The village will be working diligently to reduce this,” Mayor Jeff Hornburg said of the proposed rate increase. Silver Creek is lucky. Years ago, it eliminated its police force and contracted with the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department for patrols. If the department was ...

POMFRET: Sharing offer full of benefits

Pomfret’s purchase of a former church on Chestnut Road is not something we would normally praise. Government — already too encompassing in our county and region — needs to get smaller, not bigger. But Pomfret has a vision for the location: a potential to share it with the town of Dunkirk as its new town hall. Supervisor Dan Pacos made the offer during a board meeting last week. “The proximity to the town makes it perfect for it,” Pacos said at the April Pomfret Town Board meeting. “We think it would be great for a shared municipal building.” Dunkirk Town Board has ...

COUNTY: Shelter program is short-term fix

For the second time in two weeks, Chautauqua County officials have announced a program that will help deal with the county’s homelessness problems. The county Social Services Department last week announced the Public Assistance Shelter Supplement initiative in an attempt to bridge the gap between public assistance shelter allowances and real-world rental rates. The supplement temporarily solves one of the issues that has helped drive the number of families struggling to stay in their apartment to all-time highs. By reducing reliance on emergency hotel placements and supporting up ...

DUNKIRK: Eliminate post of city treasurer

At least one city of Dunkirk resident opposes the abolishment of the treasurer position in city government. During a council meeting this month, Thomas Taylor defended Mark Woods — who currently holds the post — noting he is “probably one of the most honest people I’ve ever met, and non-judgmental.” We believe that is a fair critique. But we also know that to seek election for the office of treasurer in Dunkirk — a position that is rare elsewhere in New York state — the candidate’s education and background does not matter. That means an elected city treasurer can have ...