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Opinion

Birding challenge takes flight again

The OBSERVER’s View

Warming temperatures are one sign that spring is marching closer. Another indication is an event that was announced this month by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Starting this week, the 2026 I BIRD NY Challenge for birders of all ages and abilities is underway. The challenge encourages New Yorkers and visitors to identify birds and learn about birdlife, and finishers are awarded a commemorative I BIRD NY Challenge patch and certificate — plus the opportunity to win birding-related prizes. “New York State’s globally significant habitat supports a wide range of ...

Race for governor has begun

Commentary

The New York State conventions of the Democratic and Republican parties have ended, and the race for Governor has begun. Six months from now you will feel numbed by what is likely to be the most expensive and possibly the most negative race for Governor ever. The Republicans, of course, will blame all of the problems in New York upon Kathy Hochul. The issues they will hammer on will be “cashless bail,” high electricity costs and restricting hook-ups for natural gas. Hochul is trying to address these issues and move to a more middle ground, but she and her party are vulnerable ...

Tariffs taking toll on U.S. residents

Commentary

When President Trump began in early 2025 imposing various tariffs on countries and products around the world there was debate about who would wind up bearing the cost of the Trump tariffs. (They are called Trump tariffs because the President has claimed the power to impose them with no further Congressional approval.) The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has now resolved the debate In 2025 the Bank found that American consumers and businesses bore about 90% of the cost of President Trump’s sweeping tariffs. The average U.S. tariff rose from 2.6% to 13%, about 10 percentage ...

Job Corps Saved program needs reform

The OBSERVER’s View

Our long mid-county nightmare has come to an end. Federal funding has been secured to keep Job Corps centers across the country open, including the Cassadaga Job Corps Academy. Let it be a reminder to anyone who is concerned about federal spending that the idea of cutting the federal budget is something everyone can get behind until someone tries to cut their particular slice of the federal budget. Nobody likes pork until someone tries to take their Christmas ham. We don’t think saving the Job Corps should be the end of this particular story. We’re merely starting a new chapter ...

There’s always two sides to the story

Commentary

The OBSERVER editor has assured me that I can use this column to write about whatever I like. And while it may be a bit risky for some writers to pen a column criticizing their employer, I’m not all that worried about it. I do not get paid to write these articles. The OBSERVER gets to print these priceless and entertaining words of wisdom absolutely free of charge. I realize the difficulties that must come with managing print media in this day and age of electronic communication. I understand that headlines are meant to be attention grabbing and the language used in articles is ...

Getting involved can help combat loneliness

Commentary

Last month’s article on loneliness was OK, but I feel I didn’t give the readers everything they expected. So, in addition to last month’s, this month’s will put the cap on loneliness. As stated, “feeling lonely from time to time is a part of life.” However, for many seniors and older adults, loneliness is all too common. More than 50% struggle with it. When these feelings linger, they can contribute to anxiety and depression. Last month I left out talking to a therapist, which can help you make positive changes in your life. Someone asked me if I take my own advice, and ...