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The OBSERVER’s View

COUNTY: No reason to rush bus options

It’s funny how bad decisions keep coming back to haunt you. Six years ago Chautauqua County needed to find a new home for its bus system after National Comedy Center officials asked that CARTS not use the area in front of the center as its downtown hub – even though that was one of the transportation-related uses the former Erie-Lackawanna Railroad Station was originally renovated to house. County officials made their way down Third Street and purchased the former Ray Nelson Service Station at 215 E. Third St. to be the new CARTS hub. We weren’t crazy about the move at the ...

SCHOOLS Full classrooms good for all of us

School starts next week - but for too many students that doesn’t mean vacation days will be a thing of the past. Dr. Kevin Whitaker, Jamestown Public School superintendent, told school board members recently that the district is making strides reducing rates of chronic absenteeism in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendance is typically between 90% and 91% in most city school district schools, though the district is still working to increase attendance at Jamestown High School. More troubling is chronic absenteeism rates. The state Education Department defines chronic ...

SUNY: Early numbers go in right direction

It is a reassuring start to the fall semester at the State University of New York at Fredonia. Last week, the institution announced an uptick in new students — the largest in three years. “We are pleased to see the increase in new students this year,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management and Services Kathryn Kendall. “Despite the ongoing challenges, such as demographic shifts, economic pressures on families, and the complexities introduced by changes to the FAFSA process, we are thrilled that so many students have chosen SUNY Fredonia for its strong academic programs ...

BUFFALO VA Langworthy gets immediate action

There is no denying the apparent troubles at the Buffalo VA Medical Center. Within the last week, U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy has called for immediate action and transparency from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs following alarming reports of potential mismanagement at the location. In a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, Langworthy expressed concern over reports provided to the House Veterans Affairs Committee that disclosed veterans may have experienced significant delays in receiving critical cancer treatments due to administrative failures. “The Buffalo VA’s ...

DUNKIRK Marina news is a major splash

With all the uncertainty that surrounds Dunkirk’s finances, it is reassuring that one of the waterfront’s assets will be in good hands. On Tuesday, council members approved the sale of Chadwick Bay Marina, LLC to Steve St. George, Alan Steinberg, and John Atzrott, who run Triple S Marina, LLC. Previous ownership turned out to be a disaster after criminal charges and troubles that led to a disqualification in a city fishing tournament. But this action brings about a new beginning — and some optimism. During the county Industrial Development Agency meeting where the deal was ...

CONGRESS Aid delays already failing students

Remember the struggle last academic year as students and their families across the country struggled to figure out the new “simplified” Free Application for Federal Student Aid? Well, the U.S. Department of Education is at it again, this time announcing a phased rollout for the 2025-26 form. That means it will be available to some students on Oct. 1, but not to everyone until Dec. 1. And that means some families likely will be dealing with delays and other issues as the college decision day nears. According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, the phased roll-out is an ...