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Are mainstream Dems taking back the wheel?

Commentary

You couldn't find a wackier candidate than Francesca Hong, the Democratic Socialist vying to become the governor of Wisconsin. She wanted to defund police and abolish ICE, topping it all off with a call to end Thanksgiving. "Saturday Night Live" couldn't have made her up. Hong lost the Democratic primary but left behind some sobering thoughts. She finished second by only a hair and against a sterling Democrat with relevant experience. The winner, David Crowley, is the Milwaukee County executive and an African American born into poverty. Crowley will face off against Republican Rep. ...

The tails that wag the political dogs

Commentary

There has been a lot of “hoopla” recently about how the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are taking over the Democratic Party. At least that is what conservative tabloids like the New York Post and their allies would make you think. In truth, the history of the Democratic Party, at least in New York State, is that there has always been a “free-for-all,” especially in New York City, between the liberal wing of the Democratic Party and what are called the “regulars,”—those with a more centrist view of politics. Back when Franklin Delano Roosevelt was Governor of New ...

The OBSERVER’s View: Village always appreciates Farm Fest

The OBSERVER’s View

Ready or not, the largest Fredonia event is ready to fill Barker Common this weekend. Starting Friday, the annual Farm Festival will get started and continue through Sunday. "We're excited, we have a lot of new things coming in this year," said organizer Lauren Boyle at a recent village meeting. "We have a street square dance coming in, we have a petting zoo coming in. We have a ton of presentations throughout the weekend." One event Boyle mentioned was a live performance of "Hamlet" in the gazebo by Main Street Studios. Co-organizer Greg Krauza also noted the Fredonia Farmers ...

Welcome Electrovaya: the rest of the story

Commentary

Electrovaya, a Canadian company that is making advanced proprietary lithium-ion batteries for industrial applications, is remodeling an existing manufacturing facility, located on 52 acres in the County’s Industrial Park in the Town of Ellicott. This will be Electrovaya’s first manufacturing facility in the United States, with a projected 100-150 jobs. This development comes against a backdrop of “Employment” in Chautauqua County having plunged from 64,000 about 15 years ago to 50,000 now. The rest of the story is necessary to understand why Electrovaya is coming ...

The OBSERVER’s View: State can take lead on e-bikes, scooters

The OBSERVER’s View

An increase in the number of serious accidents involving e-bikes and standup scooters in New York City is prompting calls to better regulate the personal mobility devices in the city. That regulation should extend statewide. So far this year, 12 people have been killed while riding e-bikes in New York City with another nine killed while using stand-up e-scooters. Only three have been killed while riding regular pedal bicycles. Which compares to three who died while riding old-fashioned pedal bikes. Last year those figures were 17 dead on e-bikes, six from e-scooters and four on ...

Risks, rewards from the simpler days

Commentary

In those days, it wasn’t hard for a 16-year-old boy to get booze. The drinking age was 18, so if you could scrounge up a couple dollars and make some connections, like older friends or siblings, a six pack of Kochs Deer Run Ale or a bottle of Boones Farm Apple Wine was pretty easy to get. Moreover, there was a laid back, liberal vibe about that shady college town where we grew up, and plenty of opportunity for mischief. In fourth grade, Lamont and I were drawn together like birds of a feather. His mother and my father had both died tragically young, leaving us grounded in a dark and ...