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Opinion

HOSPITALS: County fortunate with health care

The OBSERVER’s View

We are in no way discounting the excitement and energy that comes with the activity on East Main Street at the site of the future Brooks-TLC new hospital. Our newspaper has been a strong advocate for the project through years of reporting and editorials. Ultimately, we are grateful it is happening. That being said, there needs to be some clarification regarding the county’s health care system. Two weekends ago, Democratic Chautauqua County Legislators expressed their appreciation for the project in a news release. Those legislators — Bob Bankoski and Marcus Buchanan of Dunkirk, ...

Give and take on recent issues

Commentary

Once again I’m offering my take on several issues. — I very much liked Star Parker’s recent column on Social Security because I remember looking at my paychecks, in those days before direct deposit, thinking that if I could have taken my contributions to Social Security and Medicare and invested them in the stock market. I would not have needed Social Security and Medicare because I would have retired as a very wealthy man. The stock market, even with periodic downturns like the 1929 and 2008 crashes, historically increases in value at a fairly steady rate, despite what ...

It’s not just inflation, it’s the way of life

Commentary

One topic of conversation among all my friends and acquaintances is the shock of today’s prices – for everything. When I was a kid, I remember vividly that Saturday movies cost 12 cents. Granted, that was 70 years ago, but it was for three cartoons, the Movietone news of the day, two movies, with the continuing serial at the end. Looking back at it now, that was an afternoon’s entertainment for 3 cents an hour. Today it costs me 3 cents every time I sneeze – just for the Kleenex. I bought ginormous Milky Ways whenever I could scrounge up a nickel. Today’s movies cost $8. ...

Who is to blame in the latest shooting?

Commentary

It would be amusing if it wasn’t so serious. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and several other Democrats were on weekend programs calling for a toning down of the political conversation following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington. Jeffries went so far as to say we are all Americans. This after regularly denouncing the president in harsh tones. Another of the bad rhetorical offenders has been Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD). He has called the president an authoritarian who threatens the Constitution, rule of law and democracy. There are ...

Funds for war could help needy in U.S.

Commentary

A recent report on ABC indicated that as of April 18, the Iran War cost an estimated $50 billion. The president earlier requested a trillion dollars from Congress to cover future war costs. Readers understand that they’re paying the bill. The boss did say that part of the expense could be covered by defraying monies intended for education, health care and other programs affecting detrimentally people who most need them. But that’s OK because who cares about the poor? Hidden away in urban ghettoes and rural hollows, they lack the voices to make much noise about the cuts. Those ...

DUNKIRK

The OBSERVER’s View

Dunkirk has been under fire for the last two years when it comes to the city’s finances. But there is one bright spot that cannot be forgotten. Its wonderful waterfront. Lake Erie remains a treasure as a natural resource and tourist attraction. One major event, announced before the festival schedule this week, is worth a return: the third annual Dunkirk Walleye Festival. It will be from June 5 to 7 on the Dunkirk City Pier and is open to the public. Last year, 45 teams were registered with more than 250 anglers and over $47,7600 was given in prize money. Sponsorship, vendor and ...