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Our view: Magical ride continues for Sabres

The OBSERVER’s View

Who could have imagined pro hockey in May in Western New York when the National Hockey League season began? As we’re all aware, it is an exciting reality. A storybook year for the Buffalo Sabres marches on starting Wednesday night when the team opens the second round at home against the Montreal Canadiens. Buffalo dispatched a scrappy Boston team on Friday night to win the series — its first in 18 years. This next round promises to be compelling. Montreal plays a lot like Buffalo. They are fast, use their defensemen for offensive rushes and have received great ...

There are reasons for referendum

Commentary

I am writing in response to Don Michalak’s commentary in the OBSERVER (April 23) headlined “Fredonia referendum is likely illegal.” I would like to address some specific points. First, I want to thank the writer for openly stating that local officials must know basic municipal law. Even more so, the mayor, who, under our charter and New York state law, is responsible for the faithful execution of all laws and bylaws. During my four-year term, I was truly fortunate to work with two exceptional municipal attorneys, Sam Drayo and Dan Gard, who taught and guided me while ensuring ...

NEW YORK STATE: ‘Vacation home’ tax is a bad idea

The OBSERVER’s View

Democrats are proposing to extend a bad idea in New York City into a bad idea statewide. Assemblyman Andrew Molitor, R-Westfield, and Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, have concerns about extending the proposed pied-à-terre from New York City to the rest of the state. We, too, have concerns. A quick examination of real estate sales transactions over the past couple of years shows only one sale that would qualify for the pied-à-terre as proposed by state Sen. Patricia Fahy. We do think that such a tax will have an impact on Chautauqua County at some point, though the effect likely ...

A good barometer when talking ‘affordability’

Commentary

“Affordability” is the word grabbing the headlines in public discourse these days. However, if affordability is a problem, it’s important to be clear about what exactly the problem is and what can be done. Gallup has new polling data noting that the “high cost of living continues to top Americans’ list of the most important financial problems facing their families.” Per Gallup’s new data, 31% say “high cost of living/inflation” is the most important problem,” 13% say energy costs/oil and gas prices, 13% say “cost of owning or renting a home” and 8% say ...

Fredonia appears on borrowed time

Commentary

I have a favorite saying about history which goes against the common perception that it repeats. “The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there.” Author J.P. Hartley is saying that we might not understand events outside of the context of their times. Today’s context in the village of Fredonia is a question of sustainability in the face of multiple actions taken by the board of trustees Trying to understand these actions in isolation as singular occurrences brings another popular saying to mind, “It’s never about what it’s about”. Intentionally or ...

It’s becoming troubling for all to determine truth

Commentary

It has come to this point: Just who and what are we supposed to believe anymore? Are we all more susceptible to conspiracy theories now? I worry that we might be. And I worry that those of us who are normally rational, logical thinkers, will find it easier to believe there are connections where there is coincidence, planning where there is actually lack of planning. Why is this happening? President Donald Trump is a big part of it. The groundwork has been laid for him to say and do whatever he wants, and there are those who will accept it blindly. There are those who go along for ...