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No Easy Road To U.S. Independence

As the year grows closer to July of 2026 and we recognize that we have remained a country of democracy and freedom from the oppression of an intolerant king, we can reflect on the events that led to our declaring independence from England in 1776. For several years prior to our signed affidavit that was taken to England demanding our freedom from the British Empire, the fires grew brighter, and the heat from that flame started a collective anger amongst many in the American colonies. The overtaxation, the seizing of property by the crown and even the enslavement of men on the high ...

What Happens To Health Savings Account After Retirement?

Question: I currently have a HDHP and an HSA, but I will be retiring later this summer. What happens to my HSA account? Answer: Great question, but first, for those that don’t speak insurance, let me clarify these abbreviations! HDHP are High Deductible Health Plans. They are an insurance product, usually offered by an employer to their employees, and they tend to have lower premiums. However before major medical bills are paid, you are required to meet a high deductible, as the name suggests. The lowest deductible for an individual you can see on a HDHP is $1,650 but it’s often ...

A Way To Beat The Heat!

Years ago, I learned how to do Swedish weaving from my grandmother and grandfather. We called it huck towel weaving. I had no idea it was an old Swedish craft. I am not sure how my grandmother got involved doing it, but she did. On a day that my grandfather did not have to work we went to Forestville to a small store that sold huck material. They had it in all colors at the time. I remember making towels of red and green with a Christmas theme. I still use them for Christmas – more than fifty years later! I also had some light green, some yellow, and white. I also made some ...

Boat Cruise Under The Bridge

They say that about 90% of an iceberg you don’t see - it is underwater. The same thing might be said for a bridge. Most of it is underneath the bridge surface. What you drive on which is visible to the eye, is just its surface...a lot is going on underneath to support the pavement you are driving on. Thus, it was with some interest the other day, that we took a boat ride with some friends under the Chautauqua Lake Bridge to see what was going on. What we found is that you couldn’t see much of the reconstruction work because a huge shroud is now draped over much of the ...

Lack Of Transparency Threatens Dunkirk’s Fiscal Recovery

At the June 17 meeting of the Dunkirk Common Council, City Attorney Elliot Raimondo was quoted in the Observer as saying, “Obviously, this city does not have money for the $13.6 million.” He was referring to the Revenue Anticipation Note (RAN) taken out by the city in 2024 that is due on July 24 of this year. What is troubling about Mr. Raimondo’s statement - that it’s “obvious” the city cannot meet the obligation - is that it conflicts with what he and Mayor Kate Wdowiasz had relayed to me and Assemblyman Andrew Molitor just a couple of weeks earlier, on May 30. The ...

County Could Lose $17M If Job Corps Closes

Donald Trump is trying to eliminate Job Corps, saying the move will save taxpayers money. He has instructed the Department of Labor to shutter all 99 centers across the country by June 30th. Here in Chautauqua County this means 100 people will lose their jobs and 190 students currently enrolled will lose access to job training, housing and health care. Job Corps was established more than 60 years ago to help poor and disadvantaged youth between the ages of 16 to 24 learn a trade. It has provided a stable environment where basic necessities of food and shelter are met. It connects ...