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The OBSERVER’s View

The OBSERVER’s View: Government purchase raises questions

The OBSERVER’s View: Government purchase raises questions There doesn’t seem to be much commercial interest in land on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in Mayville where a controversial condominium project was once planned. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing for Mayville residents who fought the condo project tooth and nail over the course of years before the project fell apart. For now, the open views of Chautauqua Lake are preserved. Mayville Mayor Rick Syper has approached the Mayville Village Board about possibly purchasing the parcel. The 1.2 acre parcel is currently ...

Data centers creating dilemma in state

There are a lot of questions regarding the siting of data centers in New York state. It didn’t seem like the questions were local ones until last week when the former NRG power plant in Dunkirk was sold to Genover, a company that repurposes old power plants. One of the uses the company has found in the past for mothballed sites like Dunkirk’s is data centers. We don’t know if a data center is Genover’s end use for the former power plant in Dunkirk, but it is, at the very least, a possibility. That means Chautauqua County now has a very real interest in a one-year moratorium ...

Big pay hikes don’t reduce expenses

Here is one more example of how the government frivolously spends your money. It happened — unsurprisingly — in the village of Fredonia that two years ago increased taxes 54% after years of overspending. In the spring, to the surprise of many, by a 3-1 vote the trustees terminated Department of Public Works Supervisor Dave Bird. No reason was given for the decision, which is a standard practice, but then costs for the village went up. How? Bird was earning in the position around $57,000 per year — considerably less than the $92,138 paid to Scott Marsh who held the post until ...

The OBSERVER’s View: Voicing concerns on public comment

Public comment is making the news in the north county following concerns in both the town of Arkwright and the village of Fredonia. Within the last month, the municipalities — for better or worse — have addressed the issue. Fredonia took the most drastic step. For at least three months, trustees and Mayor Michael Ferguson have said they will still allow comment through written statements, but no longer for speakers in a 3-2 vote Monday. “Our thin skinned mayor doesn’t like being corrected, fact checked or criticized for his missteps. He especially does not like being ...

Can council, mayor get on same page?

Even though Mayor Kate Wdowiasz does not have to be at city Common Council meetings, according to the city charter, observertoday.com poll respondents are not of the same opinion. In answering our weekly poll question, “Even though not required, should the Dunkirk mayor attend Common Council meetings?” 85% want her there with 15% saying she can take a pass. Wdowiasz decided in May she would no longer be attending the twice-monthly gatherings, stating she does not believe enough business is getting done. After witnessing the last council meeting — with only three members in ...

The OBSERVER’s View: Using caution during summer drives

Days into the summer season and motorcycle safety must be on the minds of motorists. Within the last month, a pair of fatal accidents in Erie County have taken place — in the towns of Evans and Collins. Erie County Sheriff’s Department noted the most recent investigation involving a 23-year-old is under investigation that took place Saturday afternoon in Collins. How unfortunate. Recent statistics find motorcycles continue to be overrepresented in serious traffic accidents, according to Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data ...