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‘Beautiful’ result is mean spirited

By GAVIN MacFADYEN There is much debate and speculation on the potential effect of President Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ on the complex web that is the economy of the United States. Having narrowly passed in the House it now moves to the Senate for consideration. What should be most disturbing to all however is the bill’s fundamental mean-spiritedness – specifically as it relates to Medicaid and SNAP benefits – what used to be called ‘food stamps.’ To target those individuals in our society who are already experiencing an already precarious hand-to-mouth existence - ...

Are we a government of one?

To be honest, I have been dismayed recently by the actions of both political parties in what I would call a surrendering of our country to a “government of one.” Starting first with the Democrats, it is clear that in deference to the desires of a former President—they deferred into looking more closely at the ability of Joe Biden to run again for that office. It is now clear that there were many warning signs prior to Biden’s failed debate performance last June, and that he should not have been the presumptive Democratic nominee for President. Because of the power of the ...

Criminal discovery law affects all

Since 2019, the number of criminal case dismissals has increased 373%,highlighting a significant shift in how the judicial system is processing criminal charges. Most people are aware that New York’s current cashless bail law has created a revolving door within our criminal justice system. But most people are unaware that New York state created a massive procedural loophole at the same time, and criminals are jumping through that loophole every day. Despite law enforcement’s hard work to hold criminals accountable, New York created a new defense to EVERY crime, which has ...

‘Atomic’ habits can be beneficial, detrimental

Over the years, this column has always been a “help” column, to assist the readers to improve their lives, and be the kind of person they strive to be. In this book, James Clear, takes the reader through the steps to build good habits and break bad ones. He describes “atomic” as “an extremely small amount of a thing, the single irrevocable unit of a larger system and the source of immense energy and power.” He then describes a “habit” as a routine or practice performed regularly or an automatic response to a specific situation.” Obviously we have good habits and bad ...

Village’s water future: Treading lightly with new study

I attended Tuesday’s meeting and have just completed reading Thursday’s OBSERVER article on the LaBella Associates Fredonia water system presentation and felt that a clarification and some important points that were made at the meeting were overlooked. (1) Yes, LaBella Associates are Fredonia’s engineers but this study was funded by Chautauqua County and not the Village of Fredonia unlike the November 2023 LaBella study. Why is that distinction important? I know that some in the community have continually stated that the county is trying to force Fredonia to join the North ...

Much to consider in $120M jail proposal

Like most Legislators, I have not been given the $120,000,000 report on the Jail. In 2004 and 2005 when this Legislature approved of the last Jail project, however, I was your County Attorney. From 2014 to 2022 I was a criminal court judge in the busiest City Court per Judge in WNY. It is from that background that I have some initial questions and concerns about asking the approximately 120,000 people of Chautauqua County to foot the bill for a $120,000,000 Jail project First, in 2005, a divided Legislature approved a $16,000,000 Bond issue that, among many other things, would ...