The OBSERVER’s View
It is time for Fredonia to end a longtime and ridiculous tradition: the mandatory bundling of branches with twine when it is time for the Department of Public Works to pick them up at the curb. For years, the village has asked residents to tie those branches that have come down from wind storms or just fallen off trees. If that resident did not, the department would punish that resident by not picking up those remnants. ‘‘Brush, shrubs and larger limbs must be bound in bundles with twine and are not to exceed 4 feet in length, 18 inches in diameter or 65 pounds in weight,’’ a recent news item stated. What sense is that? Residents who receive this service are paying for it through their taxes. Why should they have to do extra work for it to be picked up? It’s time the Village Board put an end to the bundling and twine that goes with the brush pick-up in Fredonia. Homeowners this year are being charged more — through higher taxes — for the services they receive. This is one of them
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WATER
Meetings regarding a regional water district seem to be showing positive results.
Last month, community leaders met again to discuss options for the regional project and hear support for the idea. Before this meeting, we knew Dunkirk May
COMMUNITY SPORTS
Seneca Nation officials are taking action on something many in our area keep hoping will happen.
Last week, the nation broke ground on a new sports complex in Jimersontown in Cattaraugus County. The 144,000-square-foot, two-story sports a
Highs and Lows
Here are some of the best — and worst — of the week:
BEST
• ANGOLA HONORS — Last Saturday, we saluted the Great Lakes FX who took part in the International Beach Clean-up. Little did we k
Economy
It is going to cost about $700 billion for the government to “bail out” financial institutions. That is the plan, at least. Some analysts warn the cost could top $1 trillion.
U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D- Mass., will have substantial influen
Bailouts
Even as conservatives and liberals in Congress were engaged in a tooth-and-nail battle about bailing out financial institutions, many of them were engaging in rank hypocrisy.
Opponents of the $700 billion proposal to help financial instit