Breaking News

The OBSERVER’s View

GOWANDA: District incorrect with taxpayer funds

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office is correct to call out the Gowanda Central School district for not properly managing its fund balance and reserves. Gowanda, like so many other districts, builds up those savings for a rainy day. In the process of doing so, they continue to place an unnecessary burden on residents who help fund the district. DiNapoli’s report spans July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023. The audit claims the district consistently overestimated general fund appropriations from 2020-21 through 2022-23 by a total of $13.1 million and appropriated nearly $6.7 ...

COUNTY Quick action revives winter fest

Reaction was swift last week when the CHQ Chamber canceled the annual Mayville Winter Festival. Concerns over costs for insurance and lack of volunteers made hosting the festival too difficult - until the cancellation sparked a community reaction and renewed community involvement. A full schedule will be released this week, but for now it’s known the festival will take place Feb. 14-16 with a castle and food vendors in Lakeside Park. It’s good to see the festival come back. It’s a long-cherished event that helps break up the midwinter monotony with something fun for families. ...

COUNTY Homeless issue sparking concerns

Jamestown’s homelessness issue during the past summer was almost in your face. Within two blocks of the National Comedy Center, there were camps of individuals who were living near the Chadakoin River. It ultimately led to a State of Emergency being called by Mayor Kim Ecklund. In the north county, the problem is not as evident but it is definitely growing. During a Zoom conference that discussed code-blue shelter planning, the topic was addressed by Liz Cardona, who heads the Dunkirk Housing Authority. “We’re having homeless individuals sleeping in our stairwells, on ...

COUNTY: Still awaiting answer on airport

We’re glad to see the public didn’t have to wait long to see the latest study regarding the future of the Chautauqua County Airport at Jamestown. After a public presentation at the Chautauqua County Legislature’s December meeting, however, we’re left asking what the fuss was about. For the short-term, the consultants recommend pursuing a partner airline under the EAS program, focusing on hub connectivity, with other options to restore air service including collaboration with major carriers like American or United for consistent hub services or exploring an ultralow cost ...

RIPLEY: Small district big on unneeded posts

They did it again. A small school district in Chautauqua County insists on wasting taxpayer dollars. Last month, the Ripley Central Schools appointed a new principal to oversee grades kindergarten to six. While there is nothing wrong with the premise, the problem comes down to enrollment at the school. There’s only about 130 pupils. Does a district that small need both a principal and a superintendent that likely costs $350,000 in salaries and benefits for that population? Probably not. But it’s taxpayer dollars — not private money — so that gets spent more freely. By the ...

Health: Decision about weight loss drugs not easy

Americans elect their leaders on the premise that those individuals will be capable of making the right decisions on difficult, as well as easy, issues. An issue on which members of Congress might have to render a decision, possibly in the early weeks of the new legislative session, is the kind of topic that could generate opposition and trigger anger, no matter how the decision making shakes out. The issue is whether Medicare and Medicaid should pay for popular anti-obesity drugs for many more Americans than those already eligible for that benefit. The Biden administration ...