Editor, OBSERVER:
On Wednesday, Sept. 26, I attended a meeting of the Chautauqua County Legislative. Having permission to speak, I spoke about the Deed to the Land for the Chautauqua County Home, procured from Henry J. Lesch. On that deed, the buyer for that land was not listed as the supervisors or County Legislature but was listed as Chautauqua County and County Welfare District. Now welfare is usually taken care of with state money.
Is, therefore, state money involved in the sale of the land and perhaps also the building? This would make the state the buyer rather than the County Legislative. Has the County Legislative a clear title to the land and building?
Secondly, I spoke about the law of 1824, which compelled the supervisors to support the poor house, which later became the Chautauqua County Home. Would this law of 1824 apply to the County Legislature?
Would they, under the law, have to support the County Home? Remember the County Legislature took over the supervisor's job.
I am asking Greg Edwards, County Executive, to answer my questions.
There is no answer as yet.
JOSEPH J. CARRUS,
resident,
Chautauqua County Home
'True Autumn' has arrived
Editor, OBSERVER:
Autumning
Leaves will fall
Red, gold, and yellow
Smell of apples fill the air
At dusk will bring the harvest moon
As grandma stands and stares
she cools her pumpkin pie
in the evening breeze
As October brings in the true Autumn
She sweeps another leaf
And thinks about tomorrow
... she's seen her share of seasons
Holidays come and go
she's seen the rain turn into sleet,
The sleet turn into snow
But soon again it will be spring
and summer by its side
She pulls the shade
Sits in her chair,
And eats her pumpkin pie.
MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER,
Fredonia
Photo was 'incredibly sad'
Editor, OBSERVER:
Can you please explain to me why you and the staff felt a picture of a dead dog in a ripped open garbage bag needed to be shown in the Sept. 30 edition? I am a pet owner of cats and two labs over the years and I understand animals die by various means. I've been there making the tough decisions for them.
I understand the animal control officer's job is a thankless, tough job and he doesn't have much of choice of where to dispose of the bodies, even though a private dumpster, being watched, wasn't the best decision on his part. But all that added together doesn't explain why you felt a picture of a dog with his tongue hanging out, dead, needed to be shown to all of your readers.
I can't get that image out of my head. It made me incredibly sad that the dog had to suffer such an indignity not once, but twice. We all deserve better.
The dog should have had a decent burial and we, the readers, should not have been subjected to an image burned, at least, in my mind.
CHERYL CONNELLY,
Fredonia
Thumbs down on picture
Editor, OBSERVER:
Two thumbs down to the OBSERVER. I have been a loyal reader of the newspaper for many years, and have enjoyed reading articles - good and bad. Never have I seen a more unnecessary photo than the one in the Sept. 30 newspaper. It was the picture of a deceased dog lying in the trash.
The OBSERVER would never put a picture of a deceased person in the paper, if not only for the respect of the family. Most people feel their pets are part of the family, and that picture was heart-wrenching at best, and completely uncalled for. The article told all that was needed. Shame on you OBSERVER.
GRETA JONES,
Westfield
Coughlin seen 'highly capable'
Editor, OBSERVER:
A few years ago I was summoned for jury duty. As I was the last name drawn from the pool after two days of selection, I had considerable time to watch William Coughlin as public defender examine prospective jurors.
During the proceedings, Coughlin handled himself very professionally even through some challenging moments. At no time did I witness an angry or unruly outburst or comment from Mr. Coughlin.
Although I was not selected from that pool for the scheduled trial, I was pleased to have fulfilled my duty as a citizen within a legal system which provided the accused at the time with a highly capable Public Defender in William F. Coughlin.
TOM HEBEISEN,
Portland
