In just a few shorts weeks, thousands of avid skiers, snowboarders and outdoor enthusiasts will make their annual pilgrimage to the quaint Village of Ellicottville in Western New York’s southern tier for some excitement on the slopes. And for those not interested in conquering the hills, the shopping, restaurants and nightlife aren’t too bad either!

But Ellicottville isn’t completely about the snow season. In fact, there are some fantastic sights and sites to be enjoyed year-round, especially during the cool and crisp autumn months. From incredibly colorful fall foliage to a variety of roadside stands selling produce, pumpkins and other seasonal favorites, Ellicottville is a treat 365 days a year!

Buying a home is an important investment. Some people save for years and years before finally pursuing their dream of being a home owner. Therefore, it’s extremely important to properly protect your home.

Purchasing homeowners insurance can be somewhat confusing and stressful, but there are some basic guidelines that can help you in your decision-making process. Following are some examples:

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) joined fellow House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee member Candice Miller (MI-10) in introducing an amendment to H.R. 1309, the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011, which would terminate the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). 

“The Flood Insurance Program is fundamentally flawed and economically broken,” said Higgins.  “In Western New York and other communities across the nation it levies a mandatory flood tax on homeowners who are at virtually no risk of flooding and see absolutely no benefit.  It hinders small business growth, negatively impacts property values and is driving up our national debt.  We need to lead with common sense and eliminate, rather than extend, this unfair program.”