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The OBSERVER’s View

2025: Welcoming a new beginning

Here we are, at the dawn of a new year, a time to put the year 2024 behind while we look forward to the joys and challenges of the coming 365 days. Though the kids may not be thrilled that their return to school is fast-approaching, there is excitement in the air as we wonder what will come after the symbolic reset we experience each time we start the new year. Some were ready to leave 2024 behind. Others may be looking forward to letting the good times continue to roll after experiencing a year of plenty for themselves and their families. All of us are hoping for that happy and ...

COUNTY: Possible move to mall raises Questions

Chautauqua County officials are mulling an offer to move most of the county’s Jamestown offices into the Chautauqua Mall. The fact that such a move makes financial sense for the owners of the Chautauqua Mall speaks volumes about the state of retail businesses in Chautauqua County right now. There are seemingly as many restaurants and service agencies in the mall as retailers, a sign that big box retailing in Chautauqua County just doesn’t pay like it used to. But the county’s move is a curious one on one front. For years the county kept offices in Dunkirk and Jamestown ...

WESTFIELD: Vacancy offers chance to save

The Westfield Academy and Central School District is looking for a new superintendent. This shouldn’t be a lengthy search. In fact, one could argue the district shouldn’t even post the job. In this age of sharing services, the resignation of Michael Cipolla to take a different job is an opportunity for the Westfield Academy and Central School Board of Education to possibly save money by looking to its neighbors to the east, west and south and share a superintendent. It’s an 8.6 mile drive from Ripley Central School to Westfield Academy and Central School, an 8.2 mile drive ...

education Math hysteria starts to add up

For far too many students in the American public school system, the math has stopped mathing. There is new concern about the subject of mathematics — and that evolving concern should be regarded seriously. According to an article in the Dec. 5 edition of the Wall Street Journal, a closely watched international exam has produced the conclusion that American students’ math scores took a bigger hit from the pandemic than their peers overseas. The exam in question is called the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, or TIMSS. It is touted as a broad math and ...

FREDONIA Finances offer dose of reality

Despite the bleak situation facing the village of Fredonia, there is wisdom from its mayor. For decades, village leaders have ignored the issues — whether it be the water problems, high taxes and fees or the overspending. Consider these comments from Michael Ferguson during a special meeting earlier this month regarding a loss of village population while government operations grew. “Expenses have increased, in some places, 15 to 40% within our government. You cannot expect brand new and shiny when you have lost over 2,000 of your constituents. … “We are certainly not in the ...

CHRISTMAS Season is reason for hope in world

On this oftentimes dreadful planet, it is hard to imagine how the words “Peace on Earth” have any true relevance anymore. To many people on this Christmas Day, that phrase is considered obsolete, just a minuscule remnant of a better time, although looking at this planet as a whole, there never has been a time of absolute peace, happiness and joy. Belief in the meaning of Christmas and all that it represents is far from being universal. Many people don’t believe that there ever was a Christ Child or that Jesus came to Earth on behalf of salvation for mankind. But for those who ...