During World War II radio commentator and journalist Gabriel Heatter opened his nightly broadcast with the phrase, “Good evening, everyone – there is good news tonight” which was designed to lift civilian morale during the darkest days of the war.

After a year of hearing the constant threats coming from international bully boys, Vladimer Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China, constant news of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the tenuous state of our economy, the mess along our southern border and the continuing debate over Covid-19 vaccines,

I have become determined to find some good news as we begin 2023.

Happily, I have found some. First, last fall Wells Enterprises announced that 319 employees were to be laid off by the end of the year. Then as the new year approached those layoffs were reduced to 183. That isn’t a perfect outcome because there will still be layoffs but 136 employees who were scheduled for layoff are still working.

Winter sports enthusiasts might disagree but when the Christmas weekend blizzard hit western New York Chautauqua County was spared the brunt of the storm. Lakeshore flooding never became a problem and drivers never faced being trapped in stuck vehicles as was the case in Erie County.

In another bit of good news connected to the blizzard the Forestville Fire Department sent four members of the department along with its ATV vehicle to assist AMR the ambulance company that works in Buffalo to move snowbound patients out to waiting ambulances. People helping people in need is always good news.

While his tenure in office might have been a short one its apparent that Congressmen Joe Sempolinski, who represented Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties, did not go to Washington to be a placeholder but rather with a purpose. The congressmen and his wife are the proud parents of 4-year old Joselyn who has Down Syndrome. This is why Sempolinski was instrumental as the primary Republican sponsor of the 21st Century Assistive technology Act that was signed into law in late December. The acts’ purpose is promote “…. awareness of the devices and services while promoting access to the life-changing technology for those living with disabilities of all ages.”

It seems to me that we need more men and women like Congressman Sempolinski, with no intention of a long-term career in the House of Representatives, who go to Washington for a term or two to do good things for the people of our nation and their district and then head home to their regular lives as the founders of our nation intended. Thanks for the good news, Congressmen.

After what appeared to be a potential tragedy, there was good news from world of football this week. The outpouring of concern, and of prayers when Buffalo Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin collapsed and lay unconscious on the playing field in Cincinnati was eye opening to many. Expressions of concern over

Damar’s condition came not only from Buffalo, western New York, and Cincinnati but from across the country which tells us that even though citizens and politicians in this country often act like members of a dysfunctional family, when a real tragedy occurs, we rally around the victims. That is good news.

And the news has gotten better for Damar with the Bills issuing a statement that he has made remarkable improvement and while still critically ill has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact and even participated in a team meeting via video conference. We don’t know what the future will be for Damar and his playing career, but the news just keeps getting better.

When it began, I found the circus like atmosphere surrounding the election of a new Speaker of the House of Representatives bad news but during the four days of voting I came to realize that the workings of democracy do not always go as planned or result in calm intellectual debate or in any way follow Robert’s Rule of Order. Its only in dictatorships like the Peoples Republic of China, Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union that the workings of government always go according to plan free of any debate, or name calling. Democracy is not a perfect form of governance, but it is the best form that has been invented by man. The choosing of a Speaker of the House was at times was maddening to watch but it accomplished its goal and that is good news.

So always remember that no matter how bleak the news or the state of our nation and world may seem at times, there is always “good news tonight!”

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