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Opinion

Officials need to find solutions

Peoples column

Editor, OBSERVER: Assemblyman Andrew Molitor in his most recent bemoaning of state government, “New York Just Keeps Losing,” uses Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s July report, “Taxpayer Migration Dashboard” to claim the wealthiest New Yorkers continue to move out of state. Additional analysis, by fiscalpolicy.org notes the counterevidence, the dashboard provides, of decreasing migration rates, across the board, since the pandemic. Migration, because of increasing taxes does not undercut the revenue gains achieved from the increase in rates. Molitor continues to cite past ...

The surreal Republican Convention in Dallas

Commentary

“Surreal” is a subjective term describing something that is beyond normal reality...like something out of a dream. That is the way it seemed with the special Republican Convention called by President Donald Trump last week in Dallas. It wasn’t a serious political convention with any real substance. It was a Trump pep rally—a call to the MAGA troops not to look at the price of gasoline or the ongoing war in Iran...but to think about all of the good things going on like the new ballroom at the White House, a new arch near the Potomac, or the U.S. getting oil from Venezuela as ...

Successor to WCA Home a proper fit

The OBSERVER’s View

A significant site on Temple Street in Fredonia is getting a new lease on life, thanks in part to an agreement worked up between two organizations. Last month Aspire of WNY and the WCA Home Board of Directors announced the finalization of the historic property, transferred to Aspire of WNY as a generous gift. Aspire of WNY says the WCA will remain with the location and stand for “We Connect All.” The naming pays homage to the legacy of the WCA Home and modernizes it to fit Aspire of WNY's nonprofit mission supporting children and adults with intellectual and developmental ...

County needs to invest surplus in people

Commentary

Money is a funny thing. When you don’t have enough, we grumble. When we have too much, folks argue what to do with it. So, it seems to be true with our County Legislature. I’ve read the various articles and comments in The Post-Journal and OBSERVER for the last few months and it is becoming clear that there are differences of opinion as to how to use the $30 million overage in the fund balance. This is money that is not used in the annual budget but a separate account for emergencies or future projects. As a school superintendent, this was a common practice. We never knew when ...

The OBSERVER’s View: New law another cycle of problems

The OBSERVER’s View

In a bolt of bipartisanship, the Chautauqua County Legislature recently approved a local law that will require drivers to leave a minimum of three feet when passing non-motorists. The law is aimed at cyclists, but also includes pedestrians, those on horses and Amish buggies, among others. State law requires drivers to use "due care" but does not attach a measurement to that standard. We think there's a reason for that choice — how does one use the 3-foot law preventatively? Police aren't carrying tape measures, and even if they did they can't use one while moving if they see a ...

School year's start brings trip down memory lane

Commentary

As another school year begins I am always reminded of my first-grade year and my teacher Mrs. Toni Harris. I believe that my education started at the tail end of a very unique era in American education. I learned to read from primers that described Spot, Dick, Jack and Jane engaged in ...