Dunkirk Observer

0:00of another print disability which makes reading holding a book or turning a page difficult or impossible. The content is copyrighted by the respective publishers. For more information, please visit us on the web at nfradioreading.org. Hello, this is Erin and for the next hour, I'll be reading from the current issues of the Dunkirk Observer and the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service. First article is from September 4th, 2026. City sets hearing for Water Rate Hike by MJ Stafford. The City of Dunkirk set up public hearing for September 15th at 530 PM on its planned changes to Water Rates. The Common Council scheduled the hearing Tuesday. It will

1:00be held before the Council's next meeting and the second floor chambers at City Hall. The proposed changes would raise the minimum usage fee from 20 to $30 and boost the price of water used over a gallon benchmark to $5 per 1000 gallons from the current $4.33. The benchmark after which users get charged to the per 1000 gallon price would be raised to 3,000 gallons. It's now 2,000 gallons. The proposal also removes the declining black rate system that charges large industrial users less for big quantities of water. I've consistently supported the elimination of the declining black rate, particularly because our existing structure provides increasingly favorable rates to our largest users as a consumption increases. Councilmen at large, Nick Weiser, said at the same time I think it's important that any changes to the rate structure be based on a clear understanding

2:03of the financial impact, both on the city's finances and on the people and businesses who pay these bills. Weiser said the Council received financial projections associated with the proposed rate changes earlier that day. He asked new city controller Tracy Smith-Dangler to walk us through those numbers and explain the rationale behind the proposal. She said water rates is a subject that was brought to me on my very first day on the job, adding, we've done a pretty deep dive into where we are and where we've come from, Smith-Dangler, repeated earlier statements that city water rates haven't changed since 2017 and we can't be sure they haven't changed since 2014 based on some of the information that we see. The controller said the declining black rate means industrial customers are paying far less to buy our water. To buy our water, then it costs to produce our water, which means

3:08our enterprise fund, which is designed to do nothing other than raise revenue for the city, has failed in that objective. She went over the monthly minimum increases in the fee hikes, stating that the new $5 per 1000 over 3000 gallons rate will apply to all customers due to the elimination of the black rate. We do understand that this is not a one and done. Subsequent to this, we will also be looking at sewer rates. We'll be talking with our partners with the North County Water District. There have been concerns raised from those participating partners about the formula we are using and whether perhaps there can be a more manageable system, rather than this very complex formula that we have inherited for that. Smith-Dangler went on to reiterate Dunkirk officials' contention that our rates to all of our customers will still be substantially lower than the neighboring communities. She said state officials, including those from the office of the state controller, that directly

4:08watch city finances exclaim, what the heck are you doing you're giving your water away? Smith-Dangler said city projects $5.6 million in 2027 water revenue. Councilwoman Natalie Lusco-Eak asked how that would compare to this year's projected revenue. Randy Woodbury, Department of Public Works, Supervisor replied that this year's revenue would project to about three-quarters what the 2027 total would be if the rate changes pass. Next article from September 4, 2026, County O.K.'s law regarding motorists and bicycles pedestrians by Gregory Bacon. There are three counties in the state that require motorized vehicles to leave a minimum of three feet when passing non-motorists. Should talk with

5:10county will not be the fourth. During the recent legislator meeting, county lawmakers voted 16 to 1 to approve a local law requiring operators of motor vehicles to maintain a safe distance of three feet when overtaking non-motorists. Non-motorists include bicyclists, pedestrians, those on horses, amishbuggies and more. According to legislator Tom Nelson, Democrat from Jamestown, there are 33 states that have the three feet law as well as the District of Columbia. In New York, he said, a bill has been introduced but it is apparently installed. Currently, New York motorists are required to use due care when passing non-motorists. In New York versions of this three-feet local law are in effect in Monroe, Suffolk and Courtland counties. Before the vote, Sheriff Jim Quattroen said he does have some concerns regarding the enforceability of the law. It's difficult to measure that three feet and

6:11I want to make sure we're going to be able to enforce it and if this law passes tonight that we do as a county, a good job of advertising and making sure the public understands what the law is, he said. County legislator Fred Johnson, Republican from Westfield, said he was concerned about both enforcement and prosecutorial discretion. The road to tradition is paved with the bricks of good intentions. I admire the good intentions but I think the overall consequences here, negative consequences outweigh the positive intention, he said. But Legislator Bob Mkowski, Democrat from Dunkirk, said he supports the local law. Whatever we can do to make the roads safer, we can never have enough safety mechanisms in place, he said. When the time came to vote, Johnson was a sole no vote. The local law states that any person found guilty of failing to comply. She'll be subject to a fine, not to exceed $225 for a first offense, $325 for a second offense and $425 for a third or any subsequent offenses.

7:17During the meeting, there were also discussions about e-vacicles and the challenges they can create for both law enforcement and the general public. No proposals were made in regards to legislation addressing e-vac safety. Next article, September 4, 2026, Editor's Corner, Economic Silver Lining's Evident Near Labor Day. Over the last three months, despite a slightly higher jobless rate in July at 4.6%, there is reason for optimism when it comes to this, should talk with county economy. In the weekend before the Labor Day holiday, it appears major projects that bolster the region are working out. Last week, area officials celebrated one of the largest investments in this region at Wells Enterprises. A ribbon was cut to signify the completion of phase 2 of a four phase project transforming the Wells plant in Dunkirk and to one of the world's elite ice cream manufacturing plants. A $425 million investment in the city of

8:23Dunkirk, what makes this project even more meaningful is that we did it while continuing to operate. Wells Enterprises chief operating officer Nicholas Nikov said, We kept our team working. We continued to contribute to the local economy and we continued producing ice cream. We maintained reliable supply for our customers. This is what commitment looks like and I couldn't be prouder of our team for doing so. An impressive three-story employee center was unveiled that includes office spaces, a conference room, training spaces, a sizable break room and employee lockers. It replaced a structure that was over 75 years old and failed to meet the needs of the employees of the plant that currently totaled about 380. Wells's ambitions were first announced in 2019. It was a bumpy road and getting to where we are today, but there is no denying the dedicated workforce and leadership in the company for getting these efforts completed. Want more update news regarding investment and development? How about these? Progress is visible on East Main Street and

9:26Ferdonia for the $223 million new hospital. On August 13th Governor Kathy Hoko made a stop at the site in Ferdonia to celebrate the construction while later heading to Dunkirk to showcase the $37 million homestead at Dunkirk Landing Projects. There's $20 million and grape juice purchases coming from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Area Farmers. The deal was announced last week by Senators Charles Schumer and Christian Julebrand as well as U.S. Representative Nick Langworthy that some relief after a refresco would not agree to a contract with hardworking and dedicated area farmers. Electroviac continues to be a spark plug of activity in the town of Ellickep and recent months the company announced a partnership with Amazon which was its largest customer in 2025 when the company reported $63.8 million

10:28in revenue that year up from $44.6 million the prior year. Revenues for 2020-6 are projected to be more than $80 million while the company works to finish building out its gig effectory and elegant. Small downtown such as Westfield Mayfield, Mayville and Lakewood are a hub of activity in the summer months thanks to the draw of Shatakwa Institution, Shatakwa Lake and Lake Erie. Casted day go with its lakes also has renewed energy during the season. Continued success at Cummins at the Jamestown location with an uptick in profits and productivity reported company wide. Finally, the CHQ Chamber is always ready to celebrate area's success stories with small and large businesses that are celebrating grand openings and milestones. A recent view of their social media channels shows there's plenty to be proud of throughout the county.

11:28You are listening to a reading of articles and features from the Dunkirk Observer and the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service. Next article from September 4th, 2026. France records its hottest summer since measurements began over a century ago. France recorded its hottest summer since measurements began more than a century ago. The Environment Minister said on Thursday, firefighters relentlessly tackled wildfires throughout the summer, even in normally cooler and wetter regions in the north and Brittany as France experienced one of its driest years ever. A historic fire devoured forest near Bordeaux and forced a quarter of a million people to evacuate from their homes. We have experienced the hottest summer over record since measurements began. In 1900, Environment Minister said at the presentation of the Climate Report, covering the months of June, July and August, according to National Weather Agency,

12:34media France, the summer of 2026 recorded an average temperature of 24 degrees Celsius or 75.2 degrees Fahrenheit, covering a day at night time, it's 3.6 Celsius, 6.5 Fahrenheit, above the normal average in the higher than in 2003 when temperatures were 2.7 Celsius, 4.9 Fahrenheit above normal. Millions in France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, and elsewhere in Europe experienced extreme temperatures this summer. Europe is the world's fastest warming continent. The temperature is increasing at twice the speed as a global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Media France said the summer was marked by very low rainfall with a deficit of nearly 40%, making it the second driest since records began. Next article, September 4, 2026, Silver Creek Hires new Spanish teacher, by Braden

13:39Carmen. When you know you found the right person for the job, the hiring process can move quickly. Sarah Carle recently got a call from Silver Creek when she was in her happy place cooking dinner for her family. That conversation led to Carle's appointment as the newest Spanish teacher at Silver Creek Central Schools at the latest Board of Education Meeting. At the meeting, medical school principals Sydney Newbar said, how excited she was to have Carle join the district. Newbar has said to Carle, I'm really excited to have you as part of the team. I knew when we had the phone call, it was just so comfortable and so easy I was so excited. Carle holds professional certification in Spanish grades 7 through 12 and permanent certification in pre-K, kindergarten and grades 1 through 6, with a bilingual education extension. She begins a three year probationary period on September 1, ending on August 31, 2029. For the 26, 2026, 2027 school year, Carle earned a salary of $66,553 in recognition of 12 years of prior experience. Superintendant Dr. Katie

14:46Ralston said to Carle, welcome to Silver Creek, it was a treat to interview you and it was an honor to have you accept the position and join us here. The Board also appointed two teacher aides, Courtney Newbar and Lauren Wood, to probationary positions at a rate of $16 an hour, beginning September 1st. Several substitutes in summer school employees were also approved along with the list of extracurricular advisors, coaches and tutors. The district also finalized its department chairpersons for the upcoming school year. Five district employees successfully completed their probationary periods of employment with the district and earned permanent status for the upcoming school year. Those five employees are Kathy Kelly, registered nurse Melissa Hyatt, clerk 2, Wes Bolton, teacher aides, Lindsey Allen, teacher aides and Tanner Templin cleaner. Samantha Scanlin was authorized to complete an uncompensated educational studies internship from Arizona State University for the 2026, 2027 school year under the supervision

15:54of Amanda Austin, Native American Educational Program Coordinator. Laura Labyrin and Michelle Valentine were appointed as the co-site coordinators for the West New York Food Bank Backpack program for the 2026, 2027 school year. A contract for mentoring services for the business manager with Katherine Blackman Enterprises LLC for the 2026, 2027 school year was also approved. The board approved the district's revised code of conduct. The district, wide safety plan and the 2026, 2027 tax warrant, a series of budget transfers were also approved. The next silver creek board of education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 10th at 7 p.m. Next article, area students head back to school. September 4th, 2026, Observer Staff Report. Class is officially back in session as local students return to school this week.

16:57Dunkirk City Schools open the school year on Thursday including K through 2 elementary schools, Dunkirk's intermediate school which houses grades 3 to 6 and Dunkirk Middle High School which houses grades 7 to 12. Shatokwaleig Central Schools and the West Field Academy and Central School District also began classes on Thursday. The Ferdonia Central School District began classes on Wednesday as did Brockton Central Schools. Goanda Central Schools gotten an early start on Tuesday. Silver Creek Schools hold off until Labor Day weekend passes. With the first day of school coming on Tuesday, September 8th, Forestville Central Schools and the Cassadega Valley Central School District also open on Tuesday, September 8th. First days at local school districts, very much more than usual this year because of Hally and the Month Labor Day follows this year on September 7th. Districts head to configure schedules with minimum days of instruction and contractual language in mind. Article Americans, Canadians, our losers and

18:01escalating trade wars. September 4th, 2026. The 50% tariffs announced Monday by President Donald Trump on all cars, trucks, automotive parts and steel from Canada would crush manufacturers in the United States and raise prices in both countries. The silver lining is that Trump said these import taxes would not take effect until January 1st, leaving time for negotiators to just arm an economic landmine. A bilateral deal appeared close last week before talks broke down at the 11th hour. Neither Trump nor Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wants to look as if he's succumbing to the bullying from the other. So the escalation has been predictable. Early Saturday, 50% US tariffs took effect on Canadian alcohol, cement, hockey equipment and dairy products. Canada Vodu retaliate with dollar for dollar reciprocal tariffs set to kick in on September 8th. Overheated rhetoric won't help find an off-ramp. Carney said the US attacked Canada and that the

19:03neighbors are at war on social media. Trump said Canada was among the worst nations in the world to deal with. There's no love loss between Trump and Carney. The Prime Minister owes his come from behind victory in last year's election to the President's saber rattling, but for the good of their respective countries, both men need to pull back from the brink. For a generation, the US and Canada offered a case study of the mutual benefits that come from globalization, free trade led to car parts moving back and forth several times before a complete a vehicle headed shore and for. The US and Canada share electricity grids. Canada supplied American refineries with more than four million barrels of crude oil per day in 2024. The US is Canada's largest export market by far and Canada is the largest export market for 32 American states. Canada sold $454 billion in goods and services to the US last year and the US sold $426 billion to Canada. One Trump announced his Liberation Day tariff last year, China and Canada vocally

20:08refused to negotiate unfavorable new deals. But Chinese President is about to be fitted at the White House next month. With Canada, Trump has apparently decided it's easier to punch down into antagonize another superpower. This is part of frustrating pattern. Trump antagonizes America's friends while placating adversaries. Last week he anchored South Korea by scaling back joint military exercises to avoid provoking the dangerous and erratic dictator of North Korea. That came shortly after the President threatened to bomb Oman. The spat with Canada is another needless provocation. Kanye says the old relationship is a relic and will never return. Let's hope he's wrong about that. Just over two months from the midterm elections this trade war with Canada could cost a GOP in several house races and Senate battlegrounds including Maine, Michigan, Ohio and Iowa. Woodpaying an electoral price for protectionism, push Republicans back toward their free market routes. As welcome as that would be, it's more important for the sake of consumers,

21:11workers and businesses on both sides of the border to sort out a new trade arrangement before November from the Washington Post. Americans should be concerned about the fine print on Trump's new oil deal September 4th, 2026. So it was a war for oil after all and social media Friday President Trump announced that the United States and Venezuela have struck an agreement for the biggest oil deal in world history. The whole thing is appalling starting with the oil caps. I have no love for the Venezuelan regime run by in Trump's words. The highly respected interim president Delcy Rodriguez. But this is a deal that Rodriguez couldn't refuse. We invaded her country, abducted her criminal dictator boss Nicholas Maduro and made her our set trap. According to the Wall Street Journal, Venezuela and the U.S. will work through two intermediaries to get the oil flowing. The Venezuelan partner head of North American blue energy partners.

22:15He's been investigated though not charged for money laundering in Spain and Switzerland. He's also one of the most famous young businessmen who's gotten rich from their ties to the socialist murderous criminal dictatorship. And who is the American partner? Well, the Pentagon, of course. Trump couldn't get American oil companies to invest billions in Venezuela's to crepe oil industry. So the commander in chief tapped the Pentagon's office of strategic capital to take a 35% stake in Benta Cork's firm, securing the right to buy 20% of all production at cost. Created in 2022, the OSC was intended to use loans and loan guarantees to help develop vital industries. Now it's the primary backer of the history's biggest oil deal. We'll see how legal this is. You can be sure someone will be going to court over it. After all, the U.S. government will be working with the criminal regime under implausible statutory authority to buy oil at below market rates while undermining our own oil producers. I won't shed money to

23:18us for the oil companies, even if the administration pulls us off. Then again, I don't think they will. At least not anytime soon. Trump boasts that this will help lower gas prices maybe someday. But even this scheme's biggest boosters acknowledge that if it all goes swell, it will still take years to get the relevant oil fields producing in years to retrofit American refineries to take Venezuela's subpar oil. So I've Trump thinks prices at the pump are coming down before the midterms, or even during his presidency, he should think again. But my primary objections to this imperial smashing grab are constitutional and moral. The constitutional problem is pretty straightforward. Trump lied to Congress and to the public about his scheme from the get go. He claimed operation absolute resolve as a mission by law enforcement to capture Nicolas Maduro, the same indictment for Maduro and his wife, including members of the regime. We left them in place because law enforcement was a pretext. Roughly 11 hours after apprehending Maduro, Trump boasted that the US

24:19was going to run the country by working with the criminal regime. Did Congress authorize that? Congress definitely didn't authorize the Pentagon to get into the oil business. Trump has a long, long history of claiming that America should take the oil from countries we go to war with. And once before the steal, he bragged that oil revenue from Venezuela has paid for the attack many times over, I always used to say, to the victor belongs the spoils. Ironically, this phrase comes from a defense of the corrupts' oil system and US politics, not some time dishonored rule of war. The Constitution does not empower the president to unilaterally launch wars, even brief ones, for the purpose of seizing or extracting a nation's wealth. It's worth noting that although the fighting in Venezuela was brief, the Iran war is dragging on, and that was his plan for Iran too. If I had my choice, what would I like to do? Take the oil, because it's there for taking. Trump told reporters in April he also posted in social media, with a little more time we can easily open the hormone straight, take the oil and make a fortune.

25:23Then there's the whole democracy thing, the administration vowed to restore Venezuela's democracy eventually. We were supposed to be liberators bringing Venezuela freedom, according to the White House. Now we've signed a century-long agreement with the corrupt, unelected murderous regime. Do you think Trump is going to be in any kind of hurry to bring democracy to Venezuela now? You are listening to a reading of articles and features from the Dunkirk Observer and the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service. Articles from September 4, 2026, a pair of spacecraft draw closer to Mercury after nearly decade-long voyage by Marsha Dunn. Two Mercury-bound spacecraft left their mother's ship behind on Thursday and headed down the home stretch of their nearly-decade-long voyage to the solar system's smallest and closest to the Sun planet. The link to European and Japanese spacecraft separated as planned from their cruiser, but controllers had to wait two

26:27anxious hours to receive confirmation via radio signals. The crucial operation was broadcast from the European Space Agency's Control Center in Germany more than 124 million miles away. It's a brilliant moment, said lead project scientist, Geriat Jones, a fog goes well, the conjoined spacecraft known as Bepi-Colombo will enter orbit around Mercury in November and split from each other in December to map and study the entire planet from different altitudes. As of Thursday, the space craft still had two million miles to go before reaching its destination. Launched in 2018, the Bepi-Colombo mission is named for the Italian mathematician who took part in NASA's Mariner 10 mission to Mercury in 1970s. Only one other spacecraft, NASA's messenger, has explored the puzzling, scorching planet that is just a little bigger than our room. How tiny Mercury is and still holds some of the biggest mysteries of our solar system.

27:29Mission manager Santa Martinez said earlier this week added Jones, there's a huge amount still left to be learned. Article from September 3, 2026. Fredonia Restores Public Comments at Meetings by MJ Stafford. Public comments are allowed again at Fredonia Board of Trustees meetings after the board voted Monday to restore them. The move came with the support of trustees Ben, Brockler, and Paul Wendell along with Mayor Michael Ferguson. The trio supported the original suspension of comments a few months ago, citing concerns about the tone of some of them. Mondays vote to restore the comments period within meetings was 40, with trustees Leanne Lazaroni and Tim Mollhallen also voting I. Trustee Christine Cruz-Keefe. Did not attend the meeting. Ferguson commented that if he had a vote, he would also vote I.

28:33The mayor wrote the 22 board tied to suspend the comment session. The formal Holland was a member. Cruz Keen and Lazaroni voted to keep the comments while Brockler and Wendell supported the hiatus for them. Mollhallen read out the open resolution to reopen commenting. It stated that the public period should be conducted according to reasonable and consistently applied rules that allow participation while preserving orderly conduct of village business. The comment period will occur before board votes as it did before. Any member of the public may speak. People can speak about village business and agenda item or another matter reasonably within the authority of village government. There will be a three-minute time limit for all comments and each person can speak. Only once unless the presiding officer permits additional comment for purposes of clarification. A news time cannot be shared with anyone else. A speaker may criticize village policies, decisions, operations, employees or elected officials. However, conduct that materially

29:34had disrupts the meeting as prohibited. Examples include shouting over another recognized speaker, refusing to stop after a lot of time has expired. A threat of violence, blocking access to the meeting room or otherwise preventing the board or the public from hearing or proceeding with the meeting. In addition, no person shall receive preferential or unfavorable treatment based on the person's identity, political position, support for or criticism of the village or relationship with the member of the board. Wendell said, I see a responsibility here. I see a responsibility on the side of the public to engage with the board and are respectful in civil manner at the same time and conversely that the board will listen, but also to exercise the rules and regulations we have set forth here. Sating that he has a notebook full of notes taken when public speakers were allowed. Wendell added, I'm not against public comment, however we needed a period where it was beneficial to suspend it. Leseroni commented, I hope that now that the resolution was passed to stop public comment and it now that we're bringing it back, that everybody stays respectful,

30:40let's just be respectful. We all live in this community. We're not always going to agree, but we should try to at least listen to everybody in a respectful manner. A few minutes before voting on the measure board, members read out four critical letters sent by residents. They generally needled Rockler, Ferguson and Wendell for suspending public comments in the first place and supported the restoration of an open speaking period. One letter writer called Ferguson a tyrannical maniac and a buffoon and bully. The woman asked that her name be withheld suggesting that after the behavior she is observed from the mayor, she is afraid he might retaliate. Next article, successful season, Brockton Portland, pleased with summer rec program from September 3, 2026, by Brady and Carmen. The village of Brockton is thrilled with the success of its summer recreation program Cynthia Furman, recreation director, provided updates to the village board at a recent meeting. Furman, a physical education teacher, brought in central school to go over the program this year.

31:40The program is supported by the village of Brockton in the town of Portland. A total of 90 children were registered this summer with an average of 45 to 50 children attending each day. The program partnered with the Shuttakewak County Sheriff's Office for a canine demonstration as well as Brockton Fire Department for a summer cool off day. The Brockton Portland Little League provided slushies and the program also partnered with the Padding Zoo and a clown for face painting. The program utilized the school facilities, including the fields, playgrounds, and school pool with lifeguards provided by the school. A big sale raised approximately $370. And end of the season survey was offered to all of the families that participated in the program of the 25 families that took the survey. 23 gave the program 5 out of 5 stars and the other two families gave it 4 out of 5 stars. The community feedback was very positive with suggestions to provide more communication year round with more pop-up events throughout the year. We appreciated the support from the village from the town. The kids loved it. Furman said,

32:42you did awesome. You did above and beyond. Trust you drew ransom side to Furman. Thank you for everything you did during her report. Furman was asked to return next year. She said she is open to returning in the same capacity and spoke of her roots in the community. My plan is to stay here and help give back to the community Furman said, Tammy Thompson, a town of Portland board member said, I loved what you did. I loved how you communicated it as a community person. I got to see what they were doing and I thought that was great. Thompson said the program is a selling point for families to make the Brockton and Portland community their home. It was awesome to see a blossom. I think we need to keep the spark going. Trustee Kerry, Dono said, Trustee Brandy Smith added the Furman as a good person to keep it going due to her relation ships with the local children and connections with the school. The village board also spoke highly of the feed more food truck visits throughout the summer, held in conjunction with the Aria Hall Memorial Library.

33:42There are still two visits scheduled in September from 12.30 p.m. to 130 p.m. at Reikman Park, September 11th and September 25th. Feed more, accepts cash and credit debit cards as well as ebt and snap benefits. Up to 50% off, all food available is certified and locally grown and I'll probably step $5 or less. Judge Schedule's argument in 3rd kind of lawsuit article September 3rd, 2026 by John Whitaker. A 3rd lawsuit filed by Duetville residents seeking to stop a condominium project at Chautauqua Point will be heard by State Supreme Court Justice Grace Hanlon. Hanlon recently ruled against the town of Chautauqua's request for a summary dismissal of the 3rd lawsuit, Esther Hanlon had ruled in the town's favor on two prior lawsuits, rather than may by attorney Stephen Daly, who is representing the residents in all three cases, Chautauqua County projects alleges that the Chautauqua Town Zoning Board acted in violation of

34:45lawful procedure with the way it handled its April 21st, 2026 decisions regarding the maximum density requirement for planned unit developments that the zoning codes subdivision regulations were not applied to sunset view and the board's ruling concerning sunset views public dock and the anti-fondling requirements included in Hanlon's second ruling. The board issued one bulk determination while Daly argues the zoning board of appeals should have issued three separate and distinct decisions on each of the challenges. Chautauqua project raised during the April 26th meeting, Chautauqua project is asking the State Supreme Court to vacate the April 21st decision denying Chautauqua protects interpretive appeal declared the three zoning board interpretations as unlawful and descend of the decisions back to the zoning board of appeals for further proceedings and to direct the zoning board to issue specific decisions of each interpretive ruling or render

35:45determination supported by reasoned elaborations. Oral arguments happened scheduled for Monday, August 11th, but Daly sent a letter to Hanlon on August 4th saying he was waving oral argument and asking Hanlon to decide the case based on memorandums that have been submitted by Daly and Joel C. Crest. The Town's Attorney because Hanlon was familiar with all of the issues raised in the May lawsuit, C. Crest had also filed a motion asking the third lawsuit to be dismissed because it was similar to the prior lawsuits, but on August 28th, Hanlon ruled against the motion to dismiss. The Town's motion to dismiss must be denied. Hanlon wrote in her decision. The Town's motion to dismiss must be denied. Hanlon wrote in her decision. The Town argument that this Court's prior decision mandates dismissal as a matter of law is incorrect since this case involves a different administrative body. The zoning board of appeals. The Court made its prior decision based on the record and

36:47must also make this decision on the full administrative record. Whether the administrative record supports the ZBA's decision is a question of fact, which needs to be reviewed after a jointer in the production of the record. Both Shuttaka Protax and the Town have been ordered to appear via Microsoft Teams for oral argument on October 19th. That issue is a $70 million development that will include condominiums, townhouses, single-family homes, and a restaurant tap house. The development now costs for 174 residential units among the condos, townhouses, and single houses. The restaurant tap house will be open to the general public. New roads would be constructed. There would be walking trails, tennis courts, and 40 seasonal boat docks open to the public. Residents of the point Shuttaka area are appealing in July State Supreme Court ruling denying that residents attempted to stop a new condominium project near Dewitville. The notice of appeal was filed in the State Supreme Court on August 4th. The case will not proceed to the fourth department

37:52appellate division in Rochester. Article County to House September 11th ceremony from September 3rd, 2026. Shuttaka County will host a remembrance ceremony on the 25th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. The ceremony will be held at noon on Friday, September 11th, and the front steps of the Shuttaka County Court House, three North Eerie Street, Mayville. The public is invited to attend the Salam observance. 25 years later, we continue to remember the forever changed on September 11th, 2001, said County Executive PJ Wendell. We remember the nearly 3,000 innocent people who lost their lives that day. The brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice during the global war on terror and those who have since lost their lives due illness is connected to 9-11. We also remember those who continue to struggle with the physical

38:54and mental health consequences of that day and of their service. The public is encouraged to join county officials, first responders, veterans, community leaders, and fellow residents for the Salam remembrance. For those unable to attend in person, a live stream will be available on Shuttaka County's YouTube page. The 25th anniversary provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on the impact of September 11th, 2001, and to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who responded, served, and continue to live with the lasting effects of that day. May we never forget Wendell said, and may we continue to support one another and those who still carry the visible and invisible wounds of September 11th in the years of service that followed. Opinion the observers view tough to decipher state test numbers September 3rd, 2026. 10 years ago, almost to the day, we lamented the difficulty in comparing results on state tests from year to

40:00year because New York's education department changed testing and assessment guidelines more than most people changed their socks. We noted at that time that proficiency rates in English language was 37.9% in 38.1% in math, truly depressing when one considered that meant only a little more than one third of students were performing at any acceptable grade level. The state recommended at the time not to try to compare 2016 data to prior years, which would have been helpful to determine if the poor results were a one year of lip or a trend. Having some basis for a true comparison would be particularly helpful when reviewing scores like those released a couple of weeks ago by the state education department because limiting an analysis to one year of data is depressing we noted. We were reminded of those words this year when looking at the state's 2026 test results. While local school districts results won't be released publicly until November, the states at 48% of third through eighth graders were proficient in ELA and 57% were proficient in math.

41:06That sounds great until you realize that things have changed so much we don't know whether or not we've actually made progress or not over the past decade. It would be one thing if we could go back 10 years but the state has tweaked and twaddled with things enough then that true comparison can only be made from 2023 to 2026. The three years the state has been using its next generation ELA and mathematics learning standards. The three year data is a mixed bag from which it's hard to draw conclusions particularly for ELA. Overall ELA proficiency for all students was 46% in 2023, 2024 increased to 53% in 2024 to 2025 and then decreased to 48% in 2025 to 2026. The story is butter for math proficiency which increased from 52% in 2023 to 2024 to 55% in 2024 to 2025 and 57%

42:07in 2025 to 2026. Ironically in the 2016 editorial we used a bit of hyperbole to make the point that it was going to make serious gains in student proficiency. For math it will take 12 years for the state to have half of its students proficient in math and a whopping 37 years until 75% of students are proficient and that is only if the Paltry 1% gains seen in state students is actually again in proficiency and not a gain caused by simply changing the state's tests in the way the tests were administered. We wrote the state ended up getting to a 50% proficiency faster than we thought but because the state has made so many changes over the years we have no idea if the state has made real gains or just gained the system with easier tests different cut scores or a combination of both. In our opinion the state doesn't want the public to be able to draw a thorough line from one decade to the next when it comes to student performance. The shifting sands of students proficiency means

43:09the state's public disclosures of student performance may as well not happen because unless you're part of the education establishment you have no idea what the state statistics mean and we think that's how the state wants it. Article saying goodbye to summer September 3rd, 2026 by Marceo Ryan. I needed to issue just thinking about it sniff sniff. It wasn't until I realized that Labor Day Week is this weekend that it hit me summer is almost over how did that happen? Wasn't it the first of August just last week when the sun setting year earlier suddenly the evenings have become cooler and it's actually been too chilly to sit outside for our normal supper hour about 730. We've enjoyed dinner and a deck for over two months and now suddenly verr. Donning a down jacket to slip corn on the cob is not my idea of dining al fresco. The hardest part of the winding down season is saying goodbye to my buddies the plants. Many of the

44:10large pots of annuals are still chugging along showing off their hot pinks rich reds and deep purples although the perennials have done their best they are abiding the dusted and alarming rate. Rets I was just getting into the swing of things with regular watering, weeding and deadheading. Pop up rainstorms helped the answers to prayers along the way but my daily inspections had finally become routine now it's Labor Day and those laborers are winding down it all went too fast. Too fast. Looking back at the early spring tests of getting the garden going I blinked and it was June many of my main plants still weren't in the ground then in the wink of an eye sticky with humidity it was July. I have finally learned that July is high summer with the blossoms at their fullest bestest and most wonderfulest. This July was also lots of company and family while additionally working in a few lunches with friends. I love gathering around the umbrella table on lazy sunny days with a chicken salad plate and maybe a stemmed glass of something very cold. It was at one of those lunches that a friend asked what are those really tall

45:13yellow plants at the back of the garden. Without a lot of conviction I told her they were Jerusalem artichokes. Oh do you get real artichokes from them she asked yikes. All I knew about them was the name I received a clump of them years ago from an old friend and only asked him how much sun does it need. I never thought to ask about the phantom artichokes. I guess the clump landed in a happy place that first summer. Now three large yellow plants are going strong and are the tall men the mainstay along the back fence line. My question about the possibility of artichokes drove me to some online research. It's been nine or ten years that I've admired these effortless giants and their easy flowering habit. One visitor commented that they reminded her of some flowers. Another said they were like long, like it black eyes Susan's. One Google article identified the Jerusalem artichokes this way. They are not artichokes and they are not from Jerusalem. Okay then. A little more tracking disclosed this speculation that a neopolitan word pronounced close to Jerusalem is

46:14how they got their name. They were grown profusely in Europe but Native Americans also ate the chokes the roots for centuries. The official name for the plant is Helenethus tuberosis, a distant cousin of the sunflower. From the looks of them I would say a third cousin twice removed. Only their height and their color identify them. As from the same clan and some parts of the country they are called sun chokes. So another summer is hudded down the lane and I have learned two things. I now know a tiny bit about my Jerusalem artichokes and I know three more plants to never pod again while the ravenous deer still chew up our neighborhood. The rabbits haven't been as destructive this year but I think I know why. Last year I determined that their maternity war was directly under my deck. Those mama rabbits must have heard me talking about weapons and anti-rabbit food stuffs. I am pretty sure they skiddattle to parts unknown, thinking it would be easier than guessing what would my next weapon be. A few stragglers did some early damage that had it for the hills. The next set of labors is shutting the garden down by mid-October. I have promised myself not to be

47:19transplanting in the snow and not to be dragging in cement angels on an icy path. Please mother nature just a couple more suffers on the deck without the puffy down vest. I'm praying for a few more golden evenings before those dreaded pumpkins arrive. You are listening to a reading of articles and features from the Dunkirk Observer and then I have her front to your radio reading service. Next article. District Attorney grilled on Fredonia Flock cameras by MJ Stafford from September 2nd, 2026. Shatokwa County District Attorney Jason Schmidt vigorously defended his office's use of Flock safety cameras in Fredonia. The village residents who jammed the Fredonia board of trustees room to hear him speak Monday were not impressed. Schmidt said the cameras helped catch criminals and their data is safely securely stored. Fredonia reported that the data might not be

48:19as secure as he thinks. Schmidt started his presentation held at the beginning of a lengthy village board of trustees meeting. By noting he is a Fredonia resident he compared it to Mayberry and the Andy Griffith show when he moved there in 2003. He called it a place where you could keep cars unlocked. Each citizen looked out for each other. However he said that in 2026 as guinea for donor residents are you still leaving your doors unlocked in the keys in your cars? The unfortunate truth is times have changed in the 23 and a half years that I've lived here now. Statistics publicly available on the state website data.newark.gov. In an index of crimes reported by New York's police agency since 1990 offer room to question Schmidt's assertion. The times have changed. They showed that in 2003 there were 293 crimes reported at the village not counting the SUNY Fredonia campus which has its own police department. Crimes in this data include murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary,

49:21larceny and motor vehicle theft. Fredonia has seen its reported crimes top 293 just four years than according to the state's data site. There were 381 crimes reported in 2009, 327 crimes in 2010, 320 and 2012 and 314 and 2020. For the latest year available in 2024 there were 163 crimes reported and 2023 the number was 218 for 2022. That's a 189. How do we get further? Schmidt went on to go over some of his work career, noting that he was elected District Attorney in 2021. But he also worked as a defense attorney. Schmidt said he enjoyed being David to the government's goiath when he was a defense attorney. However, I was in for shock when I became District Attorney. Pendulum had swung where all of the money now is invested at least from the New York State standpoint and the defense bar and our public

50:21defenders office. Schmidt said the number one problem we have is we don't have enough money to finance proper law enforcement. One of the problems we tried to resolve is how do we get further with less money. He mentioned that a 2024 fatal shooting in Dunkirk is not necessarily unsolved. But remains unchanged because residents are afraid to turn over doorbell camera footage for fear of retribution. And response to such issues with private cameras about a year ago I started looking to answer to programs for cameras to watch public places. He said, Schmidt initially looked at a rain camera program which provides them to local businesses. We can't get enough cameras here to solve some of these crimes. So we were looking into camera systems. That's when we became aware of flock safety. Schmidt said using grant money his office determined that we were going to create a pilot program of 10 units. We have the ability to see if they flee police in Fredonia wherever they go. If we have cameras and license plate readers to point in the right areas we could possibly catch them with minimal expenses to everybody. Schmidt said, Schmidt spoke of the

51:24deterrent effect stating criminals don't want to be caught on film. He said only four people have access to the Fredonia flag data himself to investigators and an IT person. Police agencies must request the data from his office. It's not as if you can go just willy nilly into the system and your cost free from it. There's oversight at least here in our community because there's only four of us who have access to it. Schmidt said someone asked how flock guarantee that no one else could see the camera data. Another audience member asked what prevents flock from selling the data to car insurance companies for example. This is master valence of a massive scale. He said none of our elected officials were told about it when this was put in. That's scary. You're not telling us the full thing. Schmidt responded, I started off by saying to you that there is going to be a balancing of interest here. You can shake your head and I guarantee if you were the victim of a crime you would want to see that crime solves and more than that you would want some type of deterrent so it doesn't happen to someone else not at the cost of liberty the man replied. Schmidt stated

52:29that courts have ruled people have no right to privacy from cameras and public places. There was some grumbling in the meeting room. Trustee Tim Mahalland directly asked Schmidt about the security of the camera data. Were relying on their policy and it's built into our contracts as well. Schmidt said flocks contract with the US with us says it can only be used for crime solving purposes for law enforcement purposes. Are there opportunities for an abuse of power in any situation? The district attorney went out. I want to push back on this idea that we are somehow impinging on rights. He noted that flocks assured its video retention period from 30 to 7 days. When your Michael Ferguson continued to downplay the use of the flock cameras in Ferdonia reiterating that the village has its own cameras on village hall. Former Trustee James Lindon spoke up at those cameras were out there in specific response to mischief and barker comment. We would not have done that if the public said no. This is not that. Why was it done in a quiet

53:33kind of way? Lindon later said we are not all criminals. I realize you're looking out for the best of us. Looking out for someone who committed a crime but there's got to be a better way. We don't want to be in a police state. Yes, we highly respect the job police officers do but this is not the kind of community we want to live in. Schmidt said he apologized that the village flag program came out in this fashion to the trustees. On the other hand he said it was difficult for me to listen to these blanket statements that this is surveillance. It's targeted. He repeated that courts have ruled that there is no right to privacy on the streets. After 70 minutes of chatter, Mayor Michael Ferguson limited the discussion to two final speakers, Pongfret Town Board member, Mike Lee said he supports law enforcement and my concern is not for local abuses specifically. My concern is about other jurisdictions outside Western New York having access to these systems and tracking folks without our knowledge and consent. Lee said use of a local close

54:33circuit camera system would be a guarantee against abuse from afar. The town councilman backs those but stated that the flag counter track with Shuttakrick County has no guarantee about control of local data or that it can't be shared. We can look across the entire United States and audit who is looking at our footage. Schmidt replied we do have the ability to correct abuses of this technology. We live in a community with very limited resources. The crime is increased substantially and we are dealing with a lot of criminal incidents. A person wondered if he could submit a freedom of information request about whether a flag camera has picked up his plate. Schmidt said he didn't know if he could even access data at all if the man is not accused of a crime. But what consult the county law department? The cameras are observing but we haven't pulled the information from flag safety until an incident has approached Schmidt said. Ferguson concluded the discussion lending called out to village trustees and they should pass a resolution demanding that Schmidt's office turn off the cameras. You have been listening to a reading of articles and features

55:40from current issues of the Dunkirk Observer. We read from the Dunkirk Observer every Saturday at noon. Your reader has been Aaron and thank you for listening. Coming up next to the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service we have a reading of our North Town B papers which includes Amherst Clarence, Cheek DeWaga, De Pew and Lancaster. At two o'clock we have our South Town papers which is the East Shore or B. West Ender could be in Hamburg's Sun. Felling that

59:35the following program is intended for listeners who are blind, have low vision or have another print disability which makes reading whole-