Breaking News

Opinion

Bulldoze the Statue of Liberty?

Commentary

President Trump’s lawyer is trying to convince a judge that not only did President Trump, as a tenant, have the power to tear down a large part of the White House, but that President Trump has the power to “bulldoze the Statue of Liberty.” As we approach July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the 13 British colonies declaring their independence from the King of England, has Trump declared our independence from what the Statue of Liberty stands for? Here is the poem at the base of the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe ...

Musk's 'trillionaire' status is a good thing, actually

Commentary

I am not a huge fan of Elon Musk as a political activist or commentator. I think he's made Twitter -- sorry, X -- worse. His support for the nationalist right in Europe has been ugly. His tenure leading the Department of Government Efficiency mostly amounted to a missed opportunity and often descended into little more than performative vandalism. His personal life is not exactly consonant with my preference for bourgeois family values. Though, one can hardly accuse him of being a deadbeat dad. On the other hand, I am a huge fan of his accomplishments in business and engineering. He ...

State won’t go forward if it’s stuck in reverse

Commentary

I recently ran into my old friend Gary and have since been discussing everything in the world with him. We remember growing up in Chautauqua County, and it was a great place to be. We had family farms and industry and businesses. Dunkirk and Jamestown were little economic power houses. Sixty years ago, we still had a good education system. Churches were alive, and life centered around family and friends. Kids played sandlot football and survived without adult supervision. We went hunting and fishing and went parking with our favorite squeeze. It was a great place to grow up. ...

The OBSERVER’s View: Council fritters away recovery act

The OBSERVER’s View

Dunkirk Common Council just cannot seem to get the message. Earlier this month, State Sen. George Borrello and Assemblyman Andrew Molitor issued a statement asking the elected officials to act on a proposed Fiscal Recovery Act. Though council members had discussions about it, they never approved it. This week, Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak questioned its status after Mayor Kate Wdowiasz reported the bill had expired. As noted by both state officials: “This bill cannot move forward without action from the Common Council and the mayor. We have done our part. The city must now do ...

Fredonia deserves a voice at meetings

Commentary

At the last village of Fredonia Board of Trustees worship session there was an item to review concerning citizens addressing the Village Board at their public meetings. Nothing was decided at the worship session, but it appears a motion may be made at the next Village Board meeting on Monday to suspend or prohibit Fredonia residents from addressing the Village Board at its public meetings. Allowing residents to speak before their elected representative at Village Board meetings has been a longtime practice in Fredonia, as well as all other municipalities in Chautauqua County and ...

Sunday suppers with friends – senior version

Commentary

Sunday has always been my favorite night for dining with friends. This preference goes way back to an early learning experience. During my college years, I worked summers in a fancy – but consistently busy - Cape Cod restaurant. The Sunday night patrons were always my favorite. The crowds ...