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Opinion

DUNKIRK: Control board cost just a panic button

The OBSERVER’s View

State Sen. George Borrello and Assemblyman Andrew Molitor last week renewed the call for a control board in Dunkirk. Though there is a sentiment for the idea from some residents, Democrats have major reservations about the idea. In most cases, they worry about the cost citing the Buffalo ...

Freedoms in U.S. remain resilient

Peoples column

Editor, OBSERVER: American freedoms are not fundamentally being lost because they are rooted in the foundational principle of inalienable rights — endowed by the Creator (as stated in the Declaration of Independence) —rather than granted by government. These God-given rights, ...

The lineman is still on the line

Commentary

I have always been taken by Glen Campbell’s song “The Wichita lineman is still on the line.” It is about a lonely telephone lineman in Wichita still at work and wishing for better things. However, at this time of the year, with the snow blowing and temperatures dropping, I think ...

COUNTY: Affordability plan is discussion point

Editor's corner

We didn’t expect to see a plan being proposed last week by legislative Democrats to be taken seriously by Republicans in the Chautauqua County Legislature. It’s pretty early to make such commitments, especially in an environment when federal and state funding for programs used by county ...

Albany Dems hurting health care costs

Commentary

New York’s health insurance premiums have risen well above the national average, imposing a huge financial burden on New York residents. Unfortunately, the New York government recently approved another round of substantial premium rate hikes for almost all private health insurers operating in ...

STATE Expensive budget could get worse

The OBSERVER’s View

It should say something to Democrats in the state Legislature that Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli already has reservations about state spending in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2026-27 budget proposal. The budget increases all funds spending to $260 billion in 2027 while the state’s operating budget ...