Breaking News

Peoples column

Veterans set example for all of us

By RAY LENARCIC A huge shout out to our veterans. Thanks for your service to this country. To begin with, I’m not a veteran. But I am the person I am today because of them. My Uncle Bob, one of the four “Fightin” Van Slyke brothers from Little Falls, was my role model growing up. Along with several friends, the star basketball player and scholar forwent his senior year to enlist in the Army Air Corps. Between 1944 and early 1945, he flew 41 missions as a Navigator-Bombardier in a B-26 Marauder with the 454th Bomb Squadron. At 20, 1st Lieutenant Van Slyke returned home with a ...

Those who make America great

November is a time to remember our military, our veterans, and the birthday of the US Marine Corps. November 11 is Veterans Day and we remember all our veterans and those currently serving in the US Military. And November 10 is the 246th birthday of the US Marine Corps. It was November 10, 1775 when the US Marine Corps was founded in Philadelphia. PA. Indeed, this is a time to remember. The story of America has been written, in large part, by the selfless and noble deeds of hard working and dedicated men and women committed to liberty and justice in a free society. Our American ...

Tax tilt likely going to the middle class

The bad news is that taxes in America are tilted in favor of the rich. The best news is that we could be only weeks away from a tilt in favor of the middle class: the reforms President Biden is urging to help balance the Administration’s $3.5 trillion budget bill. The changes won’t be going as far as the president first proposed. Congress writes the laws, and House Democrats have already dialed back on Biden’s wish list. Even so, the bill will almost certainly reflect a sharp shift in America’s priorities. As Biden himself puts it, “My tax policy is based on a simple ...

One party letting county down

Editor, OBSERVER: Chautauqua County has the highest unemployment, is the poorest county in the state, lowest per capita income, and the largest exodus of residents leaving a county. This has all occurred under Republican administrations. When you do the same thing over and over again and get the same results, its called insanity. Time for a change. FRANK PAGANO, Fredonia

Create standards in redistricting

Editor, OBSERVER: In 2013 the Supreme Court of the United States struck down many provisions of the 1965 voting rights act reasoning that enough progress had been made in certain areas that statutory protections were no longer needed. This decision has had the effect of essentially changing from an environment where the lawmakers had to make the case that their legislation did not negatively effect voters access to the power of their vote, to a new situation where they can pass laws and see if there are any complaints. Electoral districts are laid out based on census data and the ...

What direction does the city go?

This is the time for reflection and promise, and most importantly the time to let our voices be heard about the issues facing us here in the city of Dunkirk. Do we retain the status quo or vote change? Do we believe what we are hearing from the candidates, or do we challenge what is being said? There are some critical issues facing our city, not the least of which includes the NRG property, a privately owned piece of property. Let me be clear on this issue. The property and plant known as NRG in the city of Dunkirk is privately owned. The owners of the property pay the city $135,000 ...