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Opinion

No chill pill for recent ads, entertainment

Commentary

In these cold dreary days of winter more things annoy me. Here are just a few: — All the prescription drug commercials on television. They show people who have been suffering from various diseases or conditions that for the most part I have never heard of. But now their diseases are cured and life is good. However, in slightly lower tones we are told that we should not take this drug if we are allergic to any of its ingredients. This begs the question of how we will know we are allergic to the ingredients if we have no idea what the ingredients are. On top of this we are told that ...

Having some sway on storage delay

The OBSERVER’s View

A highly charged topic regarding Battery Energy Storage Systems is likely to bring plenty of feedback for the town of Dunkirk. A public hearing on the moratorium for the projects will be discussed at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The Town is considering extending the moratorium — set to expire later next month — for another six months. The extension is sought to allow for more time to draft a law regarding Battery Energy Storage Systems. The Town recently held a workshop on the matter, and another workshop is scheduled for Thursday, March 26 at 5:30 p.m. to continue crafting a local ...

Just one well-aimed snowball

Commentary

Frankly, I don’t throw a snowball very often these days. Occasionally I might toss a mischievous handful at Richard in the driveway. I do remember though, back when I was first aware that a good snowball is a weapon. I’ll never forget what happened: I was in the fourth grade. In the winter we couldn’t wait to blast out of school and race home for snow play. My classmate, Nancy, and I built a tall snow fort behind the front yard low hedge. It was a fun place to snuggle out of the wind and we kept fortifying and smoothing its sides with each new snowfall. We dug out peep holes so ...

Outdoing bunny love at Super Bowl

Commentary

Following the Super Bowl halftime show, support for ICE has skyrocketed to 99%, according to the Babylon Bee, known for "fake news you can trust." Speaking of which, the NFL plans to have next year's show feature Iranian mullahs speaking in Farsi leading fans in chanting "Death to America" to express the league's full commitment to the mush of modern tolerance and hyper-inclusive multiculturalism. Bad Bunny’s sign at the end of his performance saying “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” compels the morally-confused NFL to provide Iran’s mullahs a "Super Bowl safe ...

COUNTY: Staying generous with your money

The OBSERVER’s View

Deb Makowski, county human resources director, said several times during last week's Audit and Control Committee meeting that increasing salary ranges for management employees doesn't automatically give the affected employees salary increases. She's technically right, of course. Salaries for 2026 were set in the 2026 Chautauqua County budget. But there would be no need to change the salary ranges in the first place if there weren't raises coming soon for those employees. Makowski told county legislators there are 128 employees who are getting close to the maximum salary in their ...

Fears are real throughout district

Peoples column

Editor, OBSERVER: U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy has been tasting the other side of immigration problem. He closed his Jamestown office, which recently reopened, because of fear. He and his staff are afraid to go to work because of fear of harm. Does he now see how many of his constituents are living in fear? Afraid to go to work? Afraid to go grocery shopping? Afraid to send their children to school? Afraid to attend church? They are innocent of any violent crime, but Langworthy continues to support his party leaders’ bullying and threats. These threats are carried out by masked ...