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The OBSERVER’s View

SOCIAL MEDIA: Americans can send platform message

ByteDance, a Chinese firm that the federal government says is essentially a front for the Chinese government, owns the popular social media platform TikTok, which is used by an estimated 170 million Americans. That’s a national security threat, says Congress, which last year passed a law giving ByteDance until Jan. 19 to sell the platform or shut it down. ByteDance sued to stop the ban, but the U.S. Supreme Court this month upheld the ban. President Donald Trump, who took his oath of office this month, vowed to use executive authority to save the app. The government was wrong to ...

WINTER: Snowmobiles are out in full force

Though winter has seemed to overstay its welcome, there has been some great news for those who savor the season, particularly those who back outdoor activities. Besides the boon for the ski resorts, local snowmobile trails have been buzzing all month. Across the state, there are more than 1,000 miles of trails, spanning 775,000 acres of State Forests. Some of these trails are part of the New York State Snowmobile Trail system, while others are part of the more local State Forest Trail Systems. As noted recently in an Outdoors column by Forrest Fisher, in Cherry Creek, in Boutwell ...

NFL: County native, Eagles in spotlight

In a few weeks, Nick Sirianni will add the title of Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame member to his already glowing resume. The Southwestern High School graduate has another prize in sight. We’re talking, of course, about the title of Super Bowl champion. Buffalo Bills fans had hoped the hometown team would be playing in the big game on Feb. 9. Their hopes were dashed — again — by the Kansas City Chiefs. Sirianni has his own history with the Chiefs, having lost to the two-time defending Super Bowl champions back in 2023 by a 38-35 score. Whatever happens in New Orleans on Feb. ...

HEALTH CARE: More quiet progress for Brooks-TLC

A recent announcement by state Gov. Kathy Hochul touting Kaleida’s partnership with regional hospitals, including Brooks-TLC in Dunkirk, is more positive news for the local facility that was struggling mightily four years ago. With $74 million in funding approved from Albany, there is a strong indication the timetable for building is on track. “This investment allows us to move forward with the previously announced plans to build a new Brooks-TLC Hospital System Inc., in Fredonia,” said Ken Morris, president and chief executive officer at Brooks-TLC. “Preliminary work is well ...

COMPTROLLER: Some balance on stress report

New York state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli issued a report last week noting that Fredonia Central Schools could be facing troubles in the coming months. According to the news release, the district is “susceptible to financial stress.” According to the Comptroller’s Office, “DiNapoli’s Fiscal Stress Monitoring System was designed to identify those school districts, counties, cities, towns and villages that are having difficulties with budgetary solvency, or the ability to generate enough revenue to meet expenses. School districts receive a fiscal stress score that is based on ...

DUNKIRK: ‘22 audit details path to a crisis

Give the city of Dunkirk credit for its transparency. Its 2022 audit, that gives insight into the worsening financial plight of the city, is available on its website at this address: https://cms9files.revize.com/dunkirkny/2022%20Audit.pdf What readers will find is a history that portrays a deteriorating bottom line that has led to the 84% property tax increase this year for city property owners. For instance, a fund balance that stood at $5.9 million in the plus in 2018 was underwater $101,000 by the end of 2020 — when COVID funding was coming in almost full throttle to ...