It’s winter and I am now in semi-hibernation. In winter I leave the comfort of my home only out of necessity. As winters go It hasn’t been a bad winter and even though Dunkirk Dave predicted another six weeks of winter, this year I have to side with Punxsutawney Phil and the majority of groundhogs who didn’t see their shadow.

Because I am hibernating I try to ignore the Silver Creek mayor’s and village board’s decision to override the tax cap. However, I want to state my opinion that events leading up to this decision have been fraught with stupid decisions made by previous administrations while the current administration has not acquitted itself well with the clumsy manner in which they have handled the issue. Many will suffer when taxes come due.

Things like this make me think again of the deal the village made some years ago when they acquired the current DPW facility. The amount overspent in that transaction could come in handy now. All the parties involved should be ashamed of themselves. I’m not saying anything illegal happened, but sometimes because something is legal doesn’t make it moral.

I am also choosing to ignore the hubbub over the Chautauqua Institute’s Amphitheater renovation, restoration or as some would characterize it, “destruction” project. It seems to me there are more important things than this issue where only the lawyers will win.

You are probably wondering what I do in winter, and even if you aren’t, I’ll tell you anyway. I read a lot and watch television. Along with many of you I have been following the trials of the Crawley Family and their downstairs retainers in “Downton Abby.” I often wonder if the Crawleys are related to the CW’s “Supernatural” character Crowley, “The King of Hell.” I know the spelling’s different, but that happens in the best of families.

I watched the second season of “Fargo” and enjoyed it in spite of the violence. The UFO’s arrival on the scene at the conclusion of the climatic shootout was a great touch. I am also a fan of “The Goodwife” which will run its last episode on May 8. During its run, it has been blessed with outstanding writing, surprising plot twists, and first-rate acting. I understand though that applications for law schools have dropped recently and wonder if the show’s portrayal of the legal profession could be a contributing factor.

Usually I am not a big fan of shows inspired by comic books, but I enjoy “Gotham,” a prequel to the Batman saga. Bruce Wayne is a 15-year-old cared for by his loyal butler following the murder of his parents. James Gordon is the focus of the series in the days before he became police commissioner. Gotham City is the other star and a gloomier city you will never see. Dark clouds hang constantly over this dirty soot-covered city.

Speaking of dark clouds reminds me that TV news is focusing on the presidential election process, or as I sometimes call it, our great national nightmare. Presidential election seasons are a lot like Christmas seasons; they both begin earlier and earlier every season.

This season the Republicans have some good, well-qualified candidates, sadly none of whom are from New York state. I think however, that Marco Rubio, John Kasich, and Jeb Bush are well qualified for the presidency.

The Democrats have their own version of Richard Nixon, in the person of Hillary Clinton. Actually she makes the late president look warm and fuzzy. Her competition is Bernie Sanders, whom I give credit for speaking his mind, but who has a vision of a socialist America that would provide free higher education but leave graduates unable to find work.

As I indicated, I read a lot in winter. My choices lean towards non-fiction, particularly history. I am currently reading two books: “Lion of Hollywood” the biography of L.B. Mayer, chief of production at MGM for nearly 30 years; and “Testing American Sea Power,” the story of U.S. Navy fleet problems from 1923 to 1940. My family says what I read is boring; I tell them that it improves my intellect. They smile.

I recently finished a book called the “Burning of the Valleys,” the story of the Tories’ and Native Americans’ 1780 raids in New York’s Schoharie and Mohawk Valleys. These valleys were the most economically devastated and depopulated areas in this nation after the Revolution. Since upstate New York seems to be suffering the same fate today, I wonder if some day there will be a book written called “Albany’s Raid, The Destruction of Upstate New York By Venal Politicians.”

I’ve also recently finished a book titled “Dark Invasion,” the story of German sabotage in the United States in the years leading up to our entry into World War I. The author characterizes progressive Democratic President Woodrow Wilson as ignoring the facts of German subversion in an effort to keep this nation out of the conflict at all costs. Kind of sounds like the current holder of the office.

So that is my winter. I hope all of you enjoy yours even if it means buzzing around on a snowmobile or careening down a hill on a pair of skies. I still recommend hibernation because you stay warm and dry, and isn’t that what life is all about?

Thomas Kirkpatrick Sr. is a Silver Creek resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com