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Peoples column

What really matters in life

Editor, OBSERVER: I find myself floundering among enormous amounts of information coming at me from hundreds of sources. I find that it helps me and perhaps may help other readers to re-focus on what is important: ¯ Equality not equity. ¯ Freedom of will not collectivism. ¯ Facts not propaganda. ¯ Realism not progressivism. ¯ Truth not indoctrination. ¯ Efficiency not folly. ¯ Respect not hatred. ¯ Love of life not violence. ¯ Perseverance not fear. ¯ Freedom not control. JAMES COUGHLIN, Dunkirk

Virtual debate is wrong setting

Editor, OBSERVER: I have given formal presentations on ophthalmology and vision science in North America and Europe over 47 years. I have attended Meet the Candidates events of the League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County annually from 2001 through 2019. I have appeared at these events as a candidate in 2004 and 2018. These have involved presentations and dialogues among competing candidates sitting side-by-side on a dais. I always appreciated the League’s strong moderation and technical expertise which permitted voters to see the abilities and positions of the candidates. I ...

Fredonia has top candidate

Editor, OBSERVER: It has recently come to my attention that the village of Fredonia’s police chief is retiring. During tough times like these it can be a scary thought, that a process like this can take weeks to months to find a qualified person. Thank God we already have a qualified candidate working on the force. With more than 25 years of police experience and an impeccable record our village lucked out. By making Officer David Price our next chief, we can be confident that our streets will remain safe and secure. A question our current mayor brought up a few weeks ago. ...

People’s column

Fredonia has top candidate It has recently come to my attention that the village of Fredonia’s police chief is retiring. During tough times like these it can be a scary thought, that a process like this can take weeks to months to find a qualified person. Thank God we already have a qualified candidate working on the force. With more than 25 years of police experience and an impeccable record our village lucked out. By making Officer David Price our next chief, we can be confident that our streets will remain safe and secure. A question our current mayor brought up a few ...

A dark side to ‘Nightshade’

In June I told you about Bittersweet Nightshade which is in fact quite deadly. We can close the chapter on these plants after first looking at Black Nightshade which, though also called Deadly Nightshade, really isn’t. Let me turn you over to an anonymous author in “eattheweeds.” (Have I mentioned I love the internet?) “Anyone who’s done some foraging has seen the ‘Black Nightshade’ also called ‘Common Nightshade’ and (DRUM ROLLLLLLLLL) the Deadly Nightshade. It’s one to four feet tall, oval to diamond shaped leaves, with or without large blunt teeth, little ...

Salute those who serve for us

Editor, OBSERVER: I belong to a self-advocacy group for people with disabilities called Make a Mark. I’m writing because I want to let all of the soldiers who fought bravely in Afghanistan know that they are indeed appreciated for their sacrifices for the past 20 years. These brave men and women for 20 years stood up against terrorism so we can be free from terrorist attacks here in America and Afghanistan. These brave men and women gave of themselves and many have lost their lives and limbs because they stood up for what’s right. Many of these brave men and women left their ...