‘Rants & Raves’ Archives
Erroneous Tax Bill Sends Town of Ellicottville Couple on Long Journey
by Chris Chapman Someone once said that the only things that are certain in life are death and taxes. When the Geschwender's bought a house in the Town of Ellicottville, they had no idea how much of a battle those taxes could be. In December of 2010, the couple bought a home in the town knowing there would be taxes to pay, but an error [...]
Freedom Of Education
By Chad Neal Do you know what causes problems? People cause problems. Life is a struggle and since the first conscious thought by man, another man complained about it. The philosophy of utopia seems far fetched, but if the idea of life was less narcissistic it'd be more visible. All of the “deadly sins” are basically the reasons man can [...]
Emergency Medical Services: The Spirit of Volunteerism Parts 1-4
Dear SPECIAL.E.FECTS Staff I wish to commend you on the recently published articles entitled “Emergency Medical Services: The Spirit of Volunteerism Parts 1-4”. After a medical incident occurred at Kazoo II, and was reported in your paper, you took the initiative to write very informative editorials that explained to the residents [...]
Thank you on behalf of Donald E. Davis & family
The family of Donald E. Davis of Somerville Valley Road in Ellicottville would like to thank the community for all their prayers, love and support during his illness. Don passed away surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, August 26, 2010. Don’s wife, Mary Grace, is so appreciative of her many neighbors, who spent countless hours at her [...]
Don Pritchard
Don Pritchard Sept. 23, 1936-Oct. 17, 2009 We miss you so much, but we know you are with us everyday. With loving thoughts on your birthday, Your wife, Cathy...and all of our children and grandchildren. Our thanks to all of our dear family and friends who have donated to the Donald J. Pritchard Mesothelioma Research Fund. Your generosity [...]
Special Surpise at a Grave Site
Last week I attended a funeral memorial mass for my brother in law Joe Halloran. When everyone arrived at the grave site a surprise was awaiting us. Joe had died on June 11, 2010 so it had been several weeks before we could have the actual funeral. In the meantime someone had planted pumpkin seeds in front of the Halloran head stone so there [...]
Youth Football
Recently the Olean Times Herald has had a number of articles on area schools and their football programs. A number of schools have low numbers and difficulty getting enough kids to play football. I am sure this happens for a number of reasons but I would suggest that we look at our area youth football programs as one reason for a lack of [...]
Special Standpoint: The Empire State is Grasping at Straws
I don't ever want to be recognized as an antidisestablishmentarianism advocate but New York State, aka the Empire State, is becoming more of an evil state of bureaucracy, and more government calls for more taxes and fines; I want no more part in it and I am not leaving. Trying to break a treaty is a call for war and New York is bounding for [...]
