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Opinion

Loyalty syndrome grows in nation

Peoples column

Editor, OBSERVER: A recent (Feb. 6) commentator proposed his theory of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and theorized symptoms of the condition. The writer supports President Trump while applauding Trump’s “persuasive” message. I don’t share that support, but I do seek common ground with conservatives. We can agree, for example, on the need for immigration reform. But the sight of masked and armed men assaulting citizens is going too far and is a valid cause for my “derangement.” President Trump assured us he’d go after the “worst of the worst.” Instead, his actual ...

Plate fraud driven by New York City

Commentary

When I was on the campaign trail for Chautauqua County Clerk, the news stories about possible wrongdoing at our county DMV locations were impossible to miss. County residents were receiving toll charges, in some cases thousands of dollars, for tolls and speeding infractions on license plates they’d surrendered to one of our DMVs. This was a terrible situation for the victims spending countless hours fighting fines and fees they weren’t responsible for. When I was elected, tackling this issue became my top priority. After taking office Jan. 1, I visited all three county DMV ...

Dunkirk: Timid council lacks power with pacts

The OBSERVER’s View

What happened earlier this month at a Dunkirk Finance Committee gathering is one more example of why a Control Board is desperately needed to rein in what’s wrong in the fiscally strapped municipality. During the meeting, Assessor Erica Munson criticized city officials for creating a toxic, politicized atmosphere amid the financial troubles. Munson brought up the insurance issue, stating that it is part of the duty of city officials, in taking care of all residents, to care for their employees. On Tuesday, there will be a public hearing regarding a local law that would stop ...

Wants of the left do not bring freedom

Commentary

It’s 1984 again. Government servitude is freedom. Violence is a peaceful protest. George Orwell’s masterpiece explores the historical reality of Socialism, and how “newspeak” and “doublespeak” have been used to manipulate naive people. Men can bear children. Healthcare can be free. DEI-based racism is anti-racist. A Jan. 24 commentary headlined “Freedoms being lost right before our eyes” typifies Leftist doublespeak, but could be anybody parroting the Left’s Neo-Marxist nonsense machine. It begins by proclaiming a membership in ANTIFA, the “non-existent” ...

Residency trajectory still going south

Editor's corner

Latest U.S. Census projections should not have New Yorkers in the doldrums, but they are far from a beacon of hope. According to the estimates released in late January, the Empire State saw a smidgeon of growth in 2025 when compared to the previous year with a gain of more than 1,000 ...

Legislature gets this one right

Commentary

MAYVILLE — Sometimes the most forward-thinking among us are those first to realize they took a wrong turn, and then reverse course and take the right road. In that light, congratulations go to the Chautauqua County legislature. Let’s set the stage. During its regular meetings, the legislature has two privileges of the floor—times when anyone, including legislators themselves, can publicly address the legislature, subject to time limits and, of course, limits of decorum. Under current rules, the first privilege is at the beginning of the meeting. Then, comments must be ...