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Opinion

Don’t cancel village version of Must See TV

Commentary

The OBSERVER headline of a Thursday, July 23, 2023 article by M.J.Stafford declares that Fredonia officials debate filmed workshops. In the article he quoted Trustee Paul Wandel as stating that “ I think the reasoning for the concerns for having on camera, there were some sensitive areas of information that we didn’t want publicized.” A village trustee stating as recorded on camera, that as an elected official, he was discussing matters of public concern that he/they didn’t want publicized. Obviously confidential information should not be discussed publicly at village board ...

Power can be dangerous in wrong hands

Commentary

The information here comes from books written by legitimate historians along with reputable news media and/or internet sources. The first amendment of our Constitution allows me to express these facts and opinions. Adolf Hitler was born to a relatively poor family in Austria-Hungary. After moving to Germany, he enlisted in the Bavarian Army at the outset of World War I, ultimately rising to the rank of Gefreiter, which is comparable to a Lance Corporal (above Private, below Corporal). He served as Regimental Message Runner, often in the trenches. An exploding shell damaged his left leg, ...

Time to speak up on quieting village residents

Commentary

A resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the village of Fredonia on June 23 prohibiting village citizens from publicly addressing their elected representatives at Village Board meetings. The resolution was approved by Mayor Michael Ferguson and Trustees Paul Wandel and Ben Brauchler. Trustee LeeAnn Lazarony and Trustee Christine Cruz Keefe voted against the resolution. Allowing village residents to publicly address their elected is a long tradition over many years permitted by previous Village Boards. It allows for a candid give and take between the resident and the ...

America always gets the government it elects

Commentary

Riddle: How many presidents does it take to flush a Constitutional Democratic Republic down the drain of authoritarianism? Answer: One. Donald Trump. How many has it taken to preserve a Constitutional Democratic Republic? Answer is 45. Over the past 250 years, we’ve elected president after president who respected and upheld the Constitution of the United States of America. We, the People, elected them. What has happened to us? And after the chaos of his first presidency, to elect him again? What is wrong with us?! We have been given a privilege that most people across the world ...

Perfect solution in village parking debate

The OBSERVER’s View

For all the troubles and controversy surrounding the village of Fredonia in recent months, it is refreshing to see that the elected leaders appear to have reversed course when it comes to its parking-fee plans. On Thursday afternoon, the Mayor Michael Ferguson announced instead of motorists paying with a phone app system, a two-hour parking limit would be the norm for downtown. “I pride myself on being an advocate and supporter of shopping, dining and conducting business in our village,” Ferguson said. “I know I have spoken about the increase in business on the Route 60 corridor ...

Challengers need to spice up insipid races

Editor's corner

As the month of July melts into the sunset, August begins to turn up the heat when it comes to this campaign season. In both Pennsylvania and New York, it appears incumbents are in complete control with the election 95 days away. Republican gubernatorial challenger Bruce Blakeman is hoping ...