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Opinion

District’s plan finds a balance

The OBSERVER’s View

After weeks of meetings — and number juggling — the Fredonia school budget is official and right at the tax cap. During a meeting last month, the district proposed a tax increase of 2.44% — the maximum allowable tax levy increase without requiring supermajority approval. “I appreciate all the work around this (Board of Education) table over the last five years to keep our programs strong and to keep the quality of what we’re doing in our building at a high level,” said Superintendent Dr. Brad Zilliox during the meeting. His comments also are a testament to the community. ...

It Was Better Than Broadway

Commentary

Recently, we attended a musical put on at the high school where our grandkids attend—in this case, Maple Grove. During the spring, musicals are being conducted at many of our local schools. As usual, I was “blown away” by the level of skill and professionalism displayed in the performance. It is hard to believe that kids ranging from 9th to 12th grade could put on such a performance. At intermission, I went up to the teacher and producer of the production and said: “This is better than Broadway,” and it was. There was a moving stage, a skilled ensemble playing the music...and ...

Southern Poverty Law Center indicted

Commentary

MONTGOMERY, Ala.—When there’s news about an indictment, it’s always good to remember that an indictment is not — repeat, is not — a conviction. To oversimplify the matter, the existence of an indictment merely means that a grand jury has found that the criminal case may proceed. It doesn’t mean the defendant will be convicted. It doesn’t even mean the allegations in the indictment are true. Criminal defendants are presumed innocent. Prosecutors must prove each case not by a preponderance of the evidence but beyond a reasonable doubt. ≤ ≤ ≤ With that in mind, ...

Candidates have no solutions for state despair

Editor's corner

New York’s uninspiring contest for governor remains stuck in neutral. As Albany Democrats blunder with a state budget that is now four weeks late and counting, both incumbent Kathy Hochul and challenger Bruce Blakeman are giving voters little reason for optimism. Hot-button topics for ...

HOSPITALS: County fortunate with health care

The OBSERVER’s View

We are in no way discounting the excitement and energy that comes with the activity on East Main Street at the site of the future Brooks-TLC new hospital. Our newspaper has been a strong advocate for the project through years of reporting and editorials. Ultimately, we are grateful it is happening. That being said, there needs to be some clarification regarding the county’s health care system. Two weekends ago, Democratic Chautauqua County Legislators expressed their appreciation for the project in a news release. Those legislators — Bob Bankoski and Marcus Buchanan of Dunkirk, ...

Give and take on recent issues

Commentary

Once again I’m offering my take on several issues. — I very much liked Star Parker’s recent column on Social Security because I remember looking at my paychecks, in those days before direct deposit, thinking that if I could have taken my contributions to Social Security and Medicare and invested them in the stock market. I would not have needed Social Security and Medicare because I would have retired as a very wealthy man. The stock market, even with periodic downturns like the 1929 and 2008 crashes, historically increases in value at a fairly steady rate, despite what ...