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Opinion

After 9/11, innocence lost for too many

Commentary

Last week, we remembered the 25th anniversary of one of the most horrific terrorist attacks in human history, which occurred on Sept. 11, 2001, that basically made the world upside down in every respect. I strongly believe that one of the most affected areas of 9/11 is the ongoing distrust among people and decaying mutual respect. Specifically, the international and intercultural relationship between the West and East and perceptions about Islam and Muslim people/culture in the Western societies have dramatically shifted with the barbaric terrorist attacks on 9/11. Every time I fly ...

Water controversies always spill over here

The OBSERVER’s View

Even though northern Chautauqua County borders a Great Lake, there is no denying the water problems that surround us. In Fredonia, there are boil-water orders occurring nearly every four months. Last week, the North County Water District disclosed its operation is running at a deficit while Cassadaga heard concerns regarding water quality last month. Additionally, in Dunkirk, there’s a proposal to increase the rates for the first time since 2017. Randy Woodbury, Department of Public Works supervisor, says inflation has driven costs up 31% since that last increase, noting he and ...

Project transforms Silver Creek

The OBSERVER’s View

It is an amazing transformation taking place in Silver Creek. More than a year ago, a decrepit eyesore of the old school on Main Street loomed over the neighborhood. Fast forward to today. An impressive senior housing community is wrapping up. Silver Creek Senior Housing is a senior community that features 54 one- and two-bedroom apartment homes for individuals and families aged 62 and older. "Since 1977, I have pushed to have something like this done, and I am thrilled about it," Hanover Supervisor Lou Pelletter said. "We absolutely need that. I'm very excited about it. It couldn't ...

The matter of population decline

Commentary

The facts are clear and not much in dispute that Chautauqua County has over the past few decades been experiencing population decline. Some of this is related to government policies (or lack thereof,) and some of it by the fact that we are not in a growth area of the country. Since World War II, the air conditioner has made living and working in the South a viable option. Southern states also tend to have lower regulatory standards, and, as “right to work” states, employers in these states do not have as many labor issues to deal with. The result has been a shift in population ...

A transition brings ‘meaningful’ moments

Commentary

Sept. 6 marked a significant and emotional change for many local Catholics. For the first time in more than a century, there was no Sunday Mass at St. Anthony's in Fredonia. Like many others from St. Anthony's, I attended Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Dunkirk. What struck me immediately was how many familiar faces were there. People who had worshipped together for years were genuinely happy to see one another again. Just as meaningful was the welcome we received. The people of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton went out of their way to make those arriving from St. Anthony's feel at home. ...

People's Column

Peoples column

Editor, OBSERVER: Greetings from the Empire State Passengers Association (ESPA)! We work across New York State for more and better passenger rail — and we have a great plan to accomplish this goal. More and better passenger rail across our state will have profound economic, environmental, and social/equity benefits for every kind of New Yorker. Each year we host a statewide passenger rail education and policy conference -- this year, the event will be in downtown Rochester on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Here's more information about the event, and a connection to our full-info ...