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Opinion

Our selections for state Supreme Court

The OBSERVER’s View

Seven candidates are on the ballot for four justice positions on the state Supreme Court Eighth Judicial District that serves the Western New York counties, including Chautauqua. State Supreme Courts hear civil matters while the County Courts hear criminal matters. In making our selections for these positions, we consider ratings by the Erie County Bar Association to assist the public in the process. The Association notes candidates are evaluated on criteria necessary to hold judicial office, including integrity, experience, professional ability, education, reputation, industry, ...

The fragility of human institutions

Commentary

This is not an uplifting subject to write about. If you are having a bad day, just put it off or forget about reading it. What it deals with is the reality of how fragile and easily broken can be those institutions which frame our lives. Probably the best example is marriage. It can be easily entered into but its lastingness is not a given. Marriage is a fragile human institution which can easily give way to disharmony, discord and divorce. Business organizations, partnerships, and professional associations have all been created to promote human activity and cooperation towards a ...

Energy costs crucial in governor’s race

The OBSERVER’s View

Voters across the state need to be realistic when deciding upon the race for New York state’s top position. No matter who wins, there will still be mandates and growing local property taxes. Neither incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul or challenger Bruce Blakeman are addressing those crises facing residents, counties, municipalities and school districts. Instead, this race has come down to personalities. In Hochul’s eyes, her challenger is a President Donald Trump disciple. On the opposing side, Blakeman has used a line from Trump’s “Apprentice” shows that is resonating with his ...

There’s two sides when it comes to election

Commentary

Am I the only person in Chautauqua County disgusted with the nonstop lying from our elected representatives? I listened to Nick Langworthy, during his debate with Aaron Gies, repeat the name of Kathy Hochul, and Albany Democrats ad nauseam. Gies is running for a seat in Congress. It appears Langworthy is running for governor of New York. The constant deflection, by our congressional representative to imply every failed policy the federal government has enacted, and Langworthy supported, is somehow the fault of Hochul and Albany Democrats is not only a lie, it is the continuation of ...

Get big money out of politics

Commentary

It has been reported that the world’s richest man Elon Musk has poured more than $275 million into the Republican midterm election campaigns. Democrats are crying foul while Republicans will point out that George Soros and his family have donated more than $100 million in support of Democratic and progressive causes in the 2026 midterm election cycle. $275 million from Musk! $100 million from Soros! Should any individuals have this much monetary influence in our state and national elections? I encourage readers to use their cell phones and computers for more than just gossiping on ...

Life's journeys all begin with a dream

Commentary

When I first went away to college, I registered for an elective course in Eastern religions. As a rebel without a clue at a conservative school, it seemed the right thing to do. At the time, the radical hippie movement was morphing into a kind of cerebral escapism that fused recreational ...