Breaking News

Commentary

Rounding Third: Big dream of exercise machines

Dream was the word I associated with exercise machines in the old days. Not the dream of ownership, but the dream of possibility. The machine promised the ultimate transformation. I was going to become the new me. Now, at my advanced age with dashed dreams, I am giving up. I decided that this old me will not be owning a new-me machine. Ever again. Although I can’t say I didn’t try. In my late 40s, I decided that I was starting to slip. A few pounds a year had crept on and I wasn’t liking the side view in the full-length mirror. What to do? I went to Weight Watchers – for ...

Hanover Center company in limbo

In 1959, Hanover Center firemen were part of Silver Creek Fire Department. A group of members who lived in and around Hanover Center became Station 2 setting up a Fire Hall in the old one-room school building in Hanover Center. Later, we became Hanover Hose Company 1 and was formed as an individual Fire Company. In 1969 a new fire hall was built on land donated by Bill and Tessie Miller on Hanover Road. We held Tractor Pulls, Mud Bogs, Chicken BBQ’s and donations from the residents to fund the fire dept. Hanover Hose has always supported the other four fire departments in the ...

Welcoming a new pope

In the midst of the daily swirl of bad news from across the world, last week brought some good news—the election of a new Pope. I am not a Roman Catholic, but it is always exhilarating to experience the spiritual uplift that comes when a new pontiff is selected. It is good to have a world leader who brings spiritual perspective and continuity and who is not caught up in the day-to-day political battles that are always occurring between nations around the globe. The Pope, as leader of his church, stands for something more. There was elation in this country that the new Pope was ...

‘Callous’ council not serving city

As a Chautauqua County native and resident and mental health advocate, I was beyond appalled to read the callous comments made by the Dunkirk City Council in the article on May 10 OBSERVER, “Destitute man vexes city officials.” I must admit I had to read the article three times to convince myself that anyone, especially elected officials, would make these kinds of statements about a fellow human being, and in an open forum, no less. Assumptions were made by Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak about the homeless man’s ability to live a normal life without the knowledge or ...

Fixing Medicaid to protect it for the vulnerable

For months, Democrat leaders in Washington and across the country have been pushing a false narrative: that Republicans are slashing Medicaid and targeting vulnerable Americans. It’s a lie. Here are the facts: House Republicans are protecting Medicaid for those who truly need it—pregnant women, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families. We are ending abuse of the system by cracking down on waste, fraud, and ineligible enrollees. That includes removing dead people, illegal immigrants, and able-bodied adults who refuse to work from the Medicaid rolls. That’s ...

Higher education’s importance: County benefits from strong SUNY

As someone who’s never been shy about calling out what’s broken in Albany, I believe it’s just as important to recognize when we get something right. In this year’s state budget, we made a smart investment in the future by strengthening our SUNY system including a meaningful boost in support for SUNY Fredonia. As a Fredonia native, I have a personal stake in the success of this campus. It’s more than just a local institution, it’s been a part of my life and the lives of so many friends and family who’ve studied, worked, and built careers through SUNY Fredonia. ...