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City clerk, treasurer pay hike criticized

DUNKIRK - Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz defended a $15,000 pay raise for Clerk/Treasurer Amy Dobek after city resident Albert Dawson demanded its cancellation. “When the elected treasurer position was eliminated, the city clerk salary jumped 37.5%, from $40,000 to $55,000, with total compensation even higher,” Dawson said at a Common Council meeting. “That’s a $15,000 raise while Dunkirk taxpayers are absorbing an 84% property tax hike. We were promised that department consolidation would save money. Instead, savings are immediately followed by a pay bump. The justification given ...

N. Harmony, Chautauqua sharing code officer

North Harmony is going to contract with the town of Chautauqua for additional help with code enforcement. Rick Walzak will be paid $37.50 an hour for the roughly 12 hours a week he is expected to help handle inspections in North Harmony, with part of that payment to pay for Walczak's benefits that the town of Chautauqua pays into. Walczak will also be paid mileage by North Harmony. Dick Sena, Town Board member, asked why the town didn't explore a shared services contract with the town of Busti for $25 an hour. According to minutes from the meeting, North Harmony had been looking for ...

Switzer confirmed as Dunkirk police chief

OBSERVER Photos by M.J. Stafford Douglas Switzer is congratulated by fellow city of Dunkirk department heads Tuesday after the interim police chief got the the job on a permanent basis. By M.J. Stafford mstafford@observertoday.com DUNKIRK - Capt. Douglas Switzer was appointed chief of ...

Summer soaring for Ripley programs

RIPLEY - At their meeting this month, Ripley Central School Board of Education members heard reports about action plans for both ELA and math for the coming school year. Michelle Waters, director of curriculum and pupil services, said that while student reading levels and foundational letter ...

Two Decades Of Growth: Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center celebrates 20 years

 MAYVILLE - The Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center took center stage Saturday in Mayville with a four-hour open house celebration attended by families, community leaders, educators, former staff, alumni and supporters to celebrate the center’s 20 years in operation. Held at the center's ...