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County benefits from large impact of SUNY

The OBSERVER’s View

Chautauqua County relies heavily on the State University of New York when it comes to education and employment. Both the campuses at Fredonia and Jamestown Community College not only turnout top level graduates, they also help drive the workforce. That much is apparent after a study this week by the Rockefeller Institute of Government and its findings that the SUNY system generates $35.5 billion in economic impact annually statewide. “A thriving and successful SUNY system helps ensure a strong and prosperous New York, and this report further demonstrates that fact,” said SUNY ...

Erie Canal put state on path for prosperity

Commentary

I recently read “The Mohawk” by Codman Hislop,  who taught American Civilization at Union College in Schenectady, New York. The book originally published in 1948 is the story of the Mohawk Valley and its river from prehistoric times up to the post-World War II period with a large section devoted to the history of the Erie Canal. Canals and their construction were common topics in the early history of our nation as a way of connecting the original states along the eastern seaboard to the Northwest Territory and the states being created there that would include Ohio, Indiana, ...

Climate act leaving a path of pain

The OBSERVER’s View

If you think power is expensive now, get a load of what it could look like in five years if New York Democrats don’t change their ways. According to a memo from Doreen Harris, NYSERDA president and CEO, the impact of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act could mean an additional $2.23 a gallon on top of the current prices by 2031 and fuel oil and natural gas costs could increase more than $4,000 a year. “Notwithstanding these cautions, the modeled price would lead to high burdens to New York households, especially those unable to install lower emissions ...

Irish eyes will be smiling next week

Commentary

Recently, on a rare sunny morning, me friends and I were breaking bread at the Ann Street Deli in Little Falls, where one finds the best pancakes this side of heaven, when the subject of St. Patrick’s Day arose. What began as an innocent discussion of the annual parade in Utica devolved into a boisterous debate over how the day should be celebrated-as a strictly religious, solemn day of tribute to the patron saint or a secular remembrance of all that is Irish highlighted by toasts in the memories of those who contributed to the great Irish culture. Beads vs. beer. God vs. grog. Out ...

We should know wars are hard to end

Commentary

It is easy to start a war, but very difficult to end one. That has always been the case and still is. If you are in doubt, just ask Vladamir Putin how things are going in the war he started in Ukraine four years ago. Think about the Iraq War. We invaded Iraq in 2003. Saddam Hussein was finally captured and eventually executed. But here we are in 2026, having lost 4,500 American lives and having spent a trillion dollars or more, with troops still in Iraq, a country with a weak government trying to rebuild itself. The war I was involved in, Vietnam, started in 1964—but, at least, it ...

More U.S. troubles start at top

Peoples column

Editor, OBSERVER: If we had abolished the Electoral College years ago we never would have been subjected to President Trump’s first term after he lost by 2.9 million votes. And if we had installed a recall provision for every elective office at the federal level, we could have already begun proceedings to remove Trump from office for his dangerous and erratic behavior. Instead we have to wait 8 more months before we can put an end to this nonsense ... but hey at least he’ll get a lot of mileage out of his latest Epstein distraction, an unprovoked war that has already cost American ...