Breaking News

The OBSERVER’s View

NATION: Deficits, energy must be priorities

As time passes, the excesses of President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act become more and more clear. Recent analysis by the Competitive Enterprise Institute confirms that the cost projections for the law when it was passed were woefully — perhaps even deliberately — inadequate. The institute’s studying of the costs places its expense to the American taxpaying public at between $936 billion and $1.97 trillion over 10 years and between $2.04 trillion and $4.67 trillion by the year 2050. For a nation already struggling with a national debt of $34 trillion, we believe this ...

COUNTY: Legislators stuck in mud on lake

Chautauqua County legislators have finally taken a firm position on the state’s Freshwater Wetlands Regulations. Let’s be clear from the outset that legislative resolutions carry no weight and, for the most part, do absolutely nothing. We hold no illusion that the state would have reversed course on its Freshwater Wetlands Act had the Chautauqua County Legislature passed a resolution last January opposing the regulations or asking for a delay in their implementation. But, waiting until three months after the regulations took effect to pass a resolution asking for a delay in ...

DUNKIRK: Showing up helps build partnerships

One of the simplest ways to discourage dissension is just by showing up. Last month, those efforts ended a dispute between the town and city Dunkirk that revolved around police coverage. After town of Dunkirk officials were critical of a proposed contract, city Police Chief Chris Witkowski and Lieutenant Doug Switzer attended the March meeting to offer any assistance the Town Board asked of them. Witkowski explained the Dunkirk Police will respond to calls as the closest agency, even though the Town is out of the City’s jurisdiction. While Dunkirk Police does not actively travel ...

DUNKIRK: Necessary detour is about progress

Is closing a city street worth the investment? Absolutely when it comes to Dunkirk and the work being done by Wells Enterprises. Anyone who has been by the site in recent weeks can see the progress that is taking place as part of a $425 million effort at the plant. In the end, it is expected that 270 more jobs will be at the location. It will be a bit inconvenient for a while, however. Dunkirk Common Council is expected to take action to close a portion of Main Street while work continues. Randy Woodbury, Department of Public Works chief, sees no problem in that noting Wells will ...

NEW YORK STATE: Good reason for late budget

It won’t be long before we hear about all the problems caused by a late New York state budget. The budget itself is bad, increasing operational spending 11%, increasing some taxes and failing to deal with out-year structural budget gaps. Spending on education and Medicaid continues to balloon. Rather than rein in the governor, the state Senate and Assembly one-house budgets push spending even higher. That should be more than enough reason to hold up the budget, but this holdup isn’t about dollars and cents. It’s about policy that should have been dealt with outside the ...

DUNKIRK: City needs less talk, more action

Dunkirk is currently facing a $20.5 million budget gap, according to the New York state comptroller’s office. Unfortunately, that issue rarely comes up during the Common Council meetings. Talking points at the two monthly meetings, instead, focus on personalities, grievances or an elimination of a position. How’s that for a lack of priorities? But this is ultimately what got the city of Dunkirk into this position over the last five years. Never mind how much the city government was spending, make sure the theatrics at meetings grab some attention. What council can do, since it ...