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The OBSERVER’s View

GOVERNMENT: Fly-car operations can be expanded

Chautauqua County started its fly-car system in 2017 with a focus on nontransporting emergency medical service vehicles that respond to and provide emergency medical services without the ability to transport patients. Municipalities who have their own responders — including Dunkirk and Fredonia — are paying for this service. Starting with the village — where trustees say they are staring at a tax increase of 68% for next year if they don’t do anything for 2025-26 — there is an opportunity for a consolidation of sorts. Why not have the fly cars — not the village Fire ...

Other voices: Trump could learn from Washington

Though rarely honored these days exactly on Feb. 22, his actual birth date, “Presidents Day” is officially still Washington’s birthday. And that’s entirely right and proper, as every American should happily honor our first chief executive. Washington was a man for the ages. Born a Virginia aristocrat, he carefully cultivated his virtues — self-control, moderation, civility; his strengths physical and moral — to become the most widely admired presence first in the 13 colonies, then in the new nation. As president, he also set the future course of the US government ...

County: Solving murders was team effort

In September 2021, our region — and especially the town of Portland — was in shock. On consecutive days, remains were found along the Chautauqua Rails to Trails along Woleben Road. A quiet and scenic portion of the north county had become a crime scene for days as numerous police vehicles made the trek to the location. More than three years later, this community and Buffalo families have some closure. Last week, the second victim found was identified in a press conference in Buffalo. A team effort led to a second murder charge for Richard Fox. “As a result of the diligent and ...

New York: ‘Dangerous’ job in the spotlight

New York has no one to blame but itself in regard to the strikes that are taking place in Collins, Brocton and other incarceration facilities across the state. On Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul said she would call in the National Guard today if worker actions continue. Corrections officers on strike carried a list of more than a dozen demands. First among them is the reversal of the HALT Act, which has limited the ability for officers to use disciplinary actions against incarcerated individuals. Second on the list of demands is the elimination of 30% staffing reductions. Most officers ...

New York: Hochul’s smart step on nixing rate hike

Gov. Kathy Hochul did the right thing last week by pulling a proposed New York Power Authority rate increase for hydropower. The authority was asking to triple its hydropower rates from $12.88 per megawatt-hours to $33.05 per megawatt hour over four years as well as make some other changes that concerned organizations like the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier and the state Association of Public Power. “Today, I'm calling for an end to the Power Authority's unacceptable proposal to raise electric rates on its customers statewide,” Hochul said. “Too many New ...

NEW YORK STATE: Slumbering over prison dangers

Attacks on law-abiding correctional officers by inmates are becoming all-too-routine news items across this region and New York state in recent months. This week’s lockdown at Collins is one more example of leadership needing to take steps to have those who are employed to keep the peace safe. Unfortunately, high-ranking officials are not doing enough. How many more lockdowns and injuries are needed before action is truly taken? State Sen. George Borrello has been outspoken in the last month regarding the situations. Other incidents in January, at Brocton and other state locations, ...