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Opinion

Chautauqua Institution picks a new president

Commentary

I must admit, upfront, that I am a bit biased in this matter... but I was delighted with the decision of Chautauqua Institution to hire Mark Johnson as its new President. He will be undertaking these new duties in the coming year. I first knew Mark as a kid growing up in Jamestown when we lived on Chestnut Street...he lived right down the street from us. We were good friends with his parents and, one summer, went with their family on a canoe trip to the Adirondacks. And, aside from that, how can you be against a “Johnson” from Jamestown...especially, this one? His grandfather was ...

Donating to Rural Ministry helps your neighbors

Commentary

Across Chautauqua County, more families are struggling to make ends meet. Rising food prices, increased housing costs, utility bills, and other financial pressures have created a growing need for food assistance throughout our community. At Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, that need is visible every day. Through its soup kitchen and emergency food pantry, Rural Ministry provides food and support to hundreds of local residents each week. The organization serves more than 600 meals weekly and assists families, seniors, veterans, and individuals facing difficult circumstances. As the ...

The OBSERVER’s View: City market hitting its stride

The OBSERVER’s View

A fairly new summer tradition gets started again on Wednesday. Dunkirk’s Farmers’ Market season begins Wednesday and lasts through Oct. 14. The event runs from 9 a.m.. to 2 p.m. — no matter what the weather — outside Dunkirk Senior Center at 45 Cliffstar Court under the agrarian pavilion complex. “We are so very grateful to Refresco for stepping up time and again to support the Dunkirk Market and I am proud to announce that they will once again be the Title Sponsor for our 2026 Dunkirk Farmers Market season!” said E.J. Hayes, city of Dunkirk Deputy Director of Planning & ...

The OBSERVER’s View: Delay on climate bill is positive energy

The OBSERVER’s View

Debate in recent months over changes to the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act had us wondering if there was any common sense left in the halls of the state Capitol. In the wake of last week’s vote to push back some parts of the 2019 law, it’s good to see there’s at least a thimble full of common sense remaining in Albany. State lawmakers approved Several deadlines and benchmarks included in the 2019 CLCPA are being pushed back, including a 2024 deadline for regulations from the Department of Environmental Conservation that were the subject of a lawsuit by ...

People’s column: Wealth inequality grows in U.S.

Peoples column

Editor, OBSERVER: Wealth inequality in the United States has reached levels that should concern every American. While millions of working families struggle to afford housing, healthcare, childcare, and higher education, a small percentage of the population continues to accumulate enormous wealth at a historic pace. Hard work should provide stability and opportunity, yet many full-time workers live paycheck to paycheck. At the same time, large corporations and the wealthiest Americans often benefit from tax loopholes and economic policies that widen the gap between rich and ...

Shining opportunity for area’s grape growers

Commentary

Currently a weak market for Concord grapes in New York and Pennsylvania has been recognized. More than 100 Concord grape growers along Lake Erie were informed in March by Refresco that the processor would no longer be purchasing their produce. Farmers in other states and countries have been using solar arrays and wind turbines and storage batteries on portions of their property to ensure financial stability during difficult economic times and growing periods. Besides loss of buyers and poor markets, agriculture is also subjected to more extreme weather events. These include warmer ...