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The OBSERVER’s View

CAMPAIGN Public funding is a work in progress

The early returns are in — and tweaks are likely needed for the state’s publicly funded campaign system. We noted recently that Democrat Michael Bobseine has received $109,530 in public campaign money from the state. Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, R-Jamestown, kept between $57,824.15 and $59,607.31 in his campaign account in 2022, the last year he ran a campaign for the 150th Assembly District. It’s not a bad thing, particularly for challengers, to be able to quickly match an incumbent’s political spending power. State election funding can level a playing field that is often ...

ELECTRIC BUSES: County vote may have larger impact

It will be interesting to see what Bemus Point Central School District voters decide on Sept. 5 in regard to purchasing electric school buses. Voters are being asked to approve a Bond Anticipation Note to pay the $236,000 local share to purchase two electric school buses. The debt service will be paid over 12 years, while the project is eligible for 57.1% state transportation aid as well as an $80,000 federal tax credit. The total overall cost is expected to be $1,040,000 to include two buses, two charging stations and other soft costs. We don’t disagree with Joseph Reyda, Bemus ...

DUNKIRK: Treasurer failing residents in post

Without receiving an answer to a question, there was a moment of realization for Dunkirk Councilwoman Nancy Nichols. Before approving a plethora of modifications to the city budget, Nichols sought clarification for the actions. Treasurer Mark Woods said it was “standard accounting practices.” Nichols was unsatisfied with that response noting Woods had not answered her inquiry. So that brings an even larger question: is Woods capable of doing the job. Throughout mayoral terms that date back to Robert Kesicki before 2000, Woods has been treasurer of the city. He’s the one who ...

NATION Seek togetherness, not violence

For as much as our culture likes to hold itself as above political violence, people historically sure do a lot of it. The horrendous attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump, as he campaigned in Butler, Pa. is another wretched entry to an equally wretched list. Political violence extends beyond presidents and candidates, of course — consider the shooting of Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise and the assault of Paul Pelosi, both among recent examples. In 2022, a man paused and called the police on himself during an attempted assassination of conservative Supreme Court ...

NATION Seek togetherness, not violence

For as much as our culture likes to hold itself as above political violence, people historically sure do a lot of it. The horrendous attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump, as he campaigned in Butler, Pa. is another wretched entry to an equally wretched list. Political violence extends beyond presidents and candidates, of course — consider the shooting of Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise and the assault of Paul Pelosi, both among recent examples. In 2022, a man paused and called the police on himself during an attempted assassination of conservative Supreme Court ...

UNITED WAYS: Will others follow agency’s lead?

There is now only one United Way in Chautauqua County. Kudos to the boards of the United Way of Northern Chautauqua County and the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County in approving the merger of the two organizations and setting the dates for one countywide United Way campaign this fall. It was a difficult step, we’re sure, for board members who care about the agencies they have helped support over the years and, more importantly, the people those organizations have helped. Change is never easy. While last Tuesday was a momentous day for members of the now-combined United Way ...