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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 ...

Sanctuary City, Or Sanctuary Sewer?

If you are reading this article you have witnessed the bastardization of the principles of our country and many of our states and cities. You also will witness ( if you haven’t already) the downfall of the once beautiful state of California. There will be many more to follow. Fortunately this last election gave many of us a glimmer of hope and is putting America first. What is happening to our country is a testimonial as to what greed, corruption and propaganda will do unless we wake up. Just what is a sanctuary city? It’s not what most people think. In general sanctuary cities ...

Strassel Sees American Political Realignment

CHAUTAUQUA - Alaskans understandably cherish summer months, when days are warm and long, much longer than elsewhere in the country. In fact, Kimberly Strassel, who lives near Anchorage, told audiences at Chautauqua Institution on June 23 and 24, that since moving to Alaska eight years ago, she has never left the state in June or July. The Wall Street Journal editorial-board member and weekly columnist light heartedly told those gathered at a reception at Chautauqua Institution on June 22 that she may never leave the state again in June or July. Yet she was happy to make an ...

The Unexpected Visitor

About a week ago I was sitting on my porch when I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. Since I have many chipmunks, I thought it was probably one of those. Then I saw more movement. I got up to have a look. There was a fawn in my flower bed. I went inside to get my phone to take a picture. Its coat was a beautiful shade of tan and it was filled with spots. By the time I got back the little thing was on its feet. I captured a good photo of him. I am calling it a him, but I have no idea what its sex is. It was very small. It was about a foot in length and about 15 inches ...