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The OBSERVER’s View

DUNKIRK: City needs relief, not tax doubling

So far, the city of Dunkirk has done little to nothing to decrease the proposed 108% tax increase in the 2025 spending plan. Sure, Common Council members have met but for the most part their hands are tied due to contractual obligations. There has been only one true alternative mentioned to help give tax relief to city residents. That came from Chautauqua County Legislator Terry Niebel. He suggested the city sell one of its assets — its water plant — to the county. At the moment, the city is not interested. “The mayor has said we are not interested in selling,” said Randy ...

NATION: Does U.S. need new policy for families?

It is difficult not to be pessimistic about the possibilities for success of efforts in countries around the world to encourage larger families — that is, if you yourself believe many more couples should be opting for more than a child or two in this increasingly busy, expensive, complicated, unsettled, helter-skelter world. As the Wall Street Journal pointed out in an Oct. 15 report, countries’ years-long efforts at reversing the decline in birthrates have been largely unsuccessful, and in some places have recorded zero success. The Journal’s report noted that many couples ...

CHILD CARE: Grant for agency will have ripple effect

There are many in our area whose children will never set foot in the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County. But for those families who use the club’s programs, recent news that a state grant will provide a significant boost in operating funding is outstanding news. The state is providing $350,000 a year for the next five years through the Learning and Enrichment Afterschool Program Supports grant program. It’s not just a handout for the local club. It had to first secure a license from the state to operate an afterschool childcare program, and that work made the club ...

ENDORSEMENT: There’s a ‘chaos’ to Proposition 1

New York’s Civil Liberties Union calls Proposal 1 “a critical tool for all New Yorkers to exercise their rights.” Labeled as the Equal Rights Amendment, the action would amend the New York state Constitution to include ethnicity, national origin, age, disability or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, reproductive health and autonomy. Why the need for all this? NYCLU states the current New York State Constitution “fails to prohibit discrimination against groups who have been historically targeted, including those ...

ENDORSEMENT Long-shot candidate resonates in county

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is a familiar name for many in Chautauqua County. We wouldn’t say she’s a familiar face for county residents despite serving in the Senate for nearly 16 years. The incumbent senator has carved out a position in the national discussion on issues like sex violence in the military and funding for medical care for 9/11 survivors, but at the same time is somewhat absent when it comes to federal aid for local projects. Chuck Schumer she is not. She has also been willing to work with some Republicans, introducing legislation or co-sponsoring bills with Sen. ...

DISTRICT 23 GOP dominance overshadows race

For the last six months, it has been a fairly uneventful race for the 23rd Congressional District. That speaks to a couple of prominent reasons. First, and most importantly, incumbent U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy’s campaign is flush with cash. His challenger in Thomas Carle is nowhere near as prosperous. Secondly, the Republicans have a stranglehold on the 11 counties the seat serves. That’s evident in the last election in this district in 2022 when Langworthy won the contest with 65% of the vote against a respected candidate in Democrat Max Della Pia. Challenger Carle is no slouch ...